There was plenty to note about Saturday evening at Mississippi State.
For starters, it was chilly. It was MSU’s 70th Homecoming game. The 6 p.m. start was rare for a Homecoming game, usually played in the afternoon.
State won its third game of the season, and its third ever against Middle Tennessee. The game was the lowest-attended home game State’s had so far this year.
State rushed for four touchdowns for the first time since 2001, and junior runningback Anthony Dixon rushed for three touchdowns for the third time in his career. The biggest part of the night, other than MSU’s 31-22 win, though? Well, that depends on whom you ask.
For Dixon, it may be his 28th career touchdown. That one moved him past former MSU great Michael Davis and gave him sole possession of first place on the MSU career touchdowns chart.
“That felt good,” Dixon said. “It’s one of the best feelings in the world.”
It could be his 579th career carry, which moved him into first place on MSU’s career attempt list.
“It means a lot,” Dixon said. “I wouldn’t sit up here and lie to you and say that individual records don’t mean anything to me.”
He added, however, that getting the win was the most important aspect of playing the game.
For senior defensive back Derek Pegues, the best part of the night might have come on special teams. His 88 return yards on the evening moved him into first place on the SEC’s career kickoff return yardage list with 2,321 career yards.
He said he’s far happier with what his team accomplished, though, than what he’s done individually.
“Setting a milestone, being a part of history, that’s great, but I’m just happy to get a win,” Pegues said. “My accomplishments are all good but I’m just happy to get the victory.”
Pegues added praise for the offense’s 31-point effort, the highest point total since hanging 34 on Southeastern Louisiana in the second week of the season.
“It’s great when the offense gives us points,” Pegues said. “We’ve got to win every game when the offense gives us 30.”
For head coach Sylvester Croom, the best part of the evening was the final whistle of a game that was far too close for comfort.
“[MTSU has] a talented squad, and they have done a good job on the season thus far,” Croom said. “We of course are glad to win this Homecoming game. Middle Tennessee was a good team that has given SEC schools competition.”
For the third time in three games, Mississippi State started the game on a good note, opening with points on its opening drive. The first play from scrimmage was a 28-yard completion to junior running back Arnil Stallworth, setting the tone for the rest of the drive. The drive went 80 yards on eight plays, and Dixon capped it off with a 4-yard touchdown run, marking the first time this year State had scored a touchdown on its opening possession.
Middle Tennessee answered with a field goal on a seven play, 51-yard drive including 29 yards on Bulldog penalties.
State’s ensuing drive didn’t last long, as Dixon broke free on the third play and scampered 62 yards for the score.
“He did a good job outrunning their defense,” Croom said. “He is still slow, but just slow enough to get in the end zone. We’re thankful for that.”
The Dawgs and Blue Raiders swapped punts for the rest of the first quarter before freshman MTSU kicker Alan Gendreau connected from 18 yards on the third play of the second quarter.
The second quarter was the Bulldogs’ least productive as they scored no points. The Blue Raiders added another touchdown mid-way through the period, and the score was 14-13 in favor of the home side at the half.
Middle Tennessee took the kick to start the second half and moved it inside the MSU 10-yard line before the drive halted. Gendreau put another field goal through the uprights, though, and gave the visitors their first and only lead of the game with 9:55 left in the third quarter.
From that point, MSU rattled off 17 straight points on a run by junior quarterback Tyson Lee, a field goal by senior MSU placekicker Adam Carlson and Dixon’s third and final rushing score of the evening.
MTSU added another touchdown to make things interesting and cover the 10-point spread, but the Bulldogs held on to escape with a hard-fought victory.
“It was tough,” Pegues said. “They have that hurry-up type offense. I’m glad we only have to play that offense once a year.”
There’s no time for rest for the Bulldogs, though, as the Kentucky Wildcats (1-3, 5-3 SEC) come to town Saturday. Kentucky will be looking to rebound from a tough 63-5 loss at the hands of No. 5 Florida. The Wildcats also hope to avenge a loss in last year’s game, when MSU beat then-No. 14 Kentucky 31-14 in Lexington.