Mullen Era Games vs. LSU
Nov 23, 2013; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Les Miles and the team make their way to the stadium prior to kickoff against the Texas A&M Aggies at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
Dan Mullen is 0-5 against LSU, joining the list of coaches who have struggled against the Tigers. Croom was 0-5, Jackie Sherill was just 2-11. Rockey Felker was 1-4. Emory Bellard had the most success going 5-2 from 1979-1985.
2009
This one still stings. LSU was ranked 7th in the country when they came to Starkville, and the Dawgs played them better than anyone expected.
Despite a putrid 1st half offensive effort from the Tigers, they took a 16-14 lead into the locker room thanks to four MSU turnovers. For the entire game, LSU only had 30 rushing yards. On the other hand, Anthony Dixon had a great game: 106 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns.
It was 30-24 LSU when State started their final drive at mid-field with just under four minutes to play. MSU was able to gain 48 yards on five rushes from Lee, Dixon and Christian Ducre. On 1st & Goal at the 2 with 1:30 left, the handoff to Dixon was stopped short at the one yard line. 2nd & Goal: Dixon stopped inches short of the goal line.
On 3rd & Goal Mullen opted to have Tyson Lee loft a pass into the endzone….but it was battled down by Chad Jones. Perhaps an even worse play on 4th & Goal – QB draw by Lee: stuffed by the LSU defense.
LSU took a safety as the game ended; 30-26 loss for the Dawgs.
Every year since MSU fans have felt their chances of beating LSU have been really good, but the games have not been as close as this one was.
2010
This game against #15 LSU was doomed from the start. Five interceptions were thrown – two by Chris Relf and three by Tyler Russell.
The defense played well, only allowing four LSU field goals in the first half. But the Dawgs were never close losing 29-7.
2011
Just five days after heartbreak on the plains, the black and blue Bulldogs played tough, but came up short on Thursday Night Football.
#25 MSU vs. #3 LSU was a defensive grudge match going into the half with a 6-3 score. Both teams had first and goal to go situations but settled for FGs.
The 3rd quarter featured much of the same. MSU tied the game 6-6 before LSU took the lead back on the next drive, 9-6.
The fourth quarter started with a Tiger drive that was finalized on some blown coverage that allowed a 19 yard TD. They went on to add another field goal for a 19-6 final score.
LSU went on to a perfect regular season and the SEC championship before losing to Alabama in the BCS title game.
2012
#22 Mississippi State entered Death Valley to take on #9 LSU in November for the first time in a while.
After getting a defensive stop, MSU had one of their best executed drives ever – capped by a Dak Prescott touchdown pass to Marcus Green.
LaDarius Perkins was out for this game and it loomed large as Mullen decided to rotate tailbacks each drive. Derrick Milton was in for the third drive and on his first carry he fumbled the ball without being hit. LSU quickly scored and it was 13-7.
It looked like State would survive the first half but LSU had a quick drive with under a minute to play making it 20-10 at the half.
The Dawgs played tough and like 2011 they were in the game late. It was 23-17 with under a minute remaining in the 3rd quarter. Ultimately LSU pulled out a 37-17 win.
2013
Like the previous two years MSU held their own with #10 LSU for the first three quarters. It was 31-26 when their 4th quarter onslaught came, scoring four touchdowns and winning the game 59-26.