The stage was set for Mississippi State University’s Oct.19 home match-up against No. 14-ranked Texas A&M University as Bulldog fans celebrated the 10th anniversary of the 2014 legendary number-one ranking season. Parachuters added more thrill to the 2014 team’s recognition, landing on Scott field with American flags during the video board’s presentation.
Between the first and second quarters, the 2014 team was honored in the south end zone. This team was MSU’s first ever to rank No. 1 in the Associate Press poll, going 10-2 and making an appearance in the Capital One Orange Bowl.
Playing three top-15-ranked teams in a row, the Texas Longhorns, Georgia Bulldogs and Texas A&M Aggies, Mississippi State has faced one of the more challenging parts of its season.
The Bulldogs started with the ball and made the most of their opening possession. On a third and two play, running back Davon Booth drove 40 yards to the Aggies’ 31-yard line. A&M pushed the Bulldogs to fourth down and three on the 14, but with persistence, the Bulldogs scored as quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. threw a pass to Booth, who walked into the end zone.
In response, Texas A&M’s offense threw together a drive, converting crucial third downs, and their quarterback, Conner Weigman, hit wide receiver Noah Thomas for a 20-yard passing touchdown.
Third downs became challenging for the Mississippi State defense to get stops on. Safety Issac Smith said the team played well physically but struggled on third downs.
“I think we played hard, physical. (We) stopped them good on first and second down,” Smith said. “But third down tonight was just killing us. We have to find a way to get off the field on third down.”
In the second quarter, the Aggies’ offense synced, putting together an 81-yard drive and taking a 14-7 lead. MSU responded with a field goal drive, highlighted by a 38-yard pass from Van Buren to Booth to the Aggie 12. The Bulldogs’ defense, inspired by their offense’s production, pressured the Aggies, and MSU’s strong safety, Hunter Washington, grabbed an interception on the second down. Unfortunately, the MSU offense did not capitalize on the play.
Before halftime, the Aggies scored another touchdown, making the game 21-10, but the Bulldogs were not done yet. They went on another drive and cut the lead to 21-17.
Van Buren talked about the two-minute drive the Bulldogs went on to close out the half.
“We work it (the two minute drill) every week in practice,” Van Buren said. “And the goal is to execute.”
Texas A&M’s offense tried taking command early after halftime but failed to reach the end zone on a long drive as they were forced to take a field goal. Mississippi State failed on a fake punt attempt, and the Aggies capitalized on the mistake with a touchdown drive.
Bulldogs head coach Jeff Lebby spoke about practicing the fake punt and his disappointment in its failure.
“The fake point was huge… It really was a huge turning point in the game. I felt great about the fake all week long. We loved the looks we had gotten,” Lebby said. “And we thought ten or less (yards), regardless of where it was, as long as we weren’t inside our own 20-yard line, it was truly egregious. We were going to give them a chance to go.”
Scoreless in the third and down two scores, the Bulldogs would have to rally in the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs got a much-needed spark as the Aggies fumbled the ball on their twelve just five seconds into the quarter. In the red zone, Van Buren delivered a strike to wide receiver Kevin Coleman, Jr. for a touchdown.
After losing out on a prime offensive opportunity following a big defensive stop, the Bulldogs were sent back on defense. Texas A&M added a field goal to their lead, making the game 34-24.
Mississippi State’s offense was denied on a fourth and one play with 4:05 left, and the Aggies looked to close out the game. The Bulldogs forced a critical fourth down to get the ball back.
On fourth down, with 2:46 left, it was do or die for the Bulldogs, and they converted. Unfortunately, Mississippi State got stopped on a long fourth and 22. With 38 seconds left, the Aggies, 6-1 (4-0 SEC), closed out the game victorious, 34-24.
The Bulldogs, 1-6 (0-4 SEC), host the University of Arkansas next Saturday at 11:45 a.m. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network.
