The Mississippi State Bulldogs led the Southeastern Conference in penalty yards in each of the last four seasons. On Saturday in Baton Rouge, La., two costly penalties on the Bulldogs gave LSU the momentum to win the game. Early in the third quarter with State trailing 14-10, MSU’s defense stopped the Tiger offense and forced a punt. A running into the kicker penalty on the punt gave LSU a first down and a second chance. Seven plays later the Tigers pushed their lead to 21-10.
With 10 minutes left to play in the game and the score 24-13, the Bulldog defense made a goal-line stand, stopping the Tigers at the 2 yard line. LSU missed the short field goal, but MSU was off sides and gave the Tigers another second chance at adding to their score.
This time the Tigers went for the fourth-and-short and scored a touchdown.
“We were offsides on the field goal that they missed,” said MSU head coach Jackie Sherrill. “When things go that direction, you are not going to have a chance (to win).”
Even after the mistakes on Saturday, the difference in the game was Dominick Davis. Davis posted 295 total yards in the game including 122 rushing yards and a 78-yard punt return for a touchdown.
LaBrandon Toefield added 73 yards on Saturday to push the Tiger’s total to 256 rushing yards for the day.
The Bulldog defense was successful, however, stopping the pass against LSU. Matt Mauck completed four of 15 passes for 56 yards including a 36-yard touchdown pass.
The Bulldogs once again could not get the running game started, totaling 88 rushing yards for the game. Justin Griffith led MSU with 38 yards on seven carries, while Nick Turner chipped in 28 yards on five carries.
Kevin Fant had his worst day as the Bulldog starter going 15-39 for 122 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions. Darius Tubbs led MSU in receiving with 35 yards on 3 catches.
Mario Haggan once again led the Bulldogs with 17 tackles during the game including 11 solo tackles and one tackle for lose.
Josh Morgan posted 10 tackles with eight solos and one fumble recovery. Tommy Kelly tallied five tackles but led the team with two tackles for loss.
MSU will next travel to Columbia, S.C., to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks.
Game time is set for noon Saturday. The game between the Dawgs and the Gamecocks is not scheduled to be televised, which will mark MSU’s second non-televised performance of 2002.