Mullen Era Games vs. Arkansas
Nov 23, 2013; Little Rock, AR, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Dan Mullen during a timeout against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the first quarter at War Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Dan Mullen is 2-3 against Arkansas. That’s actually pretty good considering our history against the Hogs – those two wins equal as many as MSU had over UPig from 1995-2011, a span of 17 years. Part of the reason we’ve struggled in the series is due to the place this game lands on the schedule, right between rivals Alabama and Ole Miss. This year it has been moved up (finally) and replaced with a [historically] more manageable Vandy. But we’ve already talked about the present, let’s take a look back at the past…
2009
This was ugly. 42-21 Arkansas. I think I’ve actually erased it from my brain because I barely remember this game, and I can typically recall games from the last 10-15 years pretty easily. Maybe it wasn’t on TV. Anyway, not a great day in Little Rock.
2010
Out of all the games in the Mullen era that I wish turned out to be a win, this is probably it.
Nick Bell’s mother was honored before the game in a stirring tribute. The atmosphere of Davis Wade Stadium that night was at its all time best. The cowbells were clanging and voices were yelling full tilt. If we could duplicate that for every SEC home game we’d have the toughest place to play in the league.
It was a see-saw affair. Arkansas had the lead after the 1st quarter, MSU at halftime, ARK after the third, and it was tied at the end of regulation.
Near the end of the 4th quarter Johnthan Banks recovered a fumble near midfield and State drove down the field for the game-tying FG as the clock expired.
In overtime, Vick Ballard was stretching for the endzone but fumbled and the ball went out of the back of the endzone for a touch-back. When Arkansas got their possession, however, they missed a chip shot field goal. They won it in double overtime though, 38-31.
2011
This game was on CBS – the first time MSU had played on the network since 2005. And it wasn’t a good showing – a 44-17 route by the Razorbacks. No sense in re-living that.
2012
The Bulldogs got a measure of revenge in ’12 when they stomped Arkansas 45-14. It was close in the first half before State blew them away. Big plays all day.
2013
It was cold in Little Rock – a place (a state) where MSU had never won. Dak Prescott was injured and could play. LaDarius Perkins missed the 2nd half and Tyler Russell, after giving a gutsy effort throwing for 263 yards, had a [college] career-ending shoulder injury just before the end of regulation.
It looked like State was going to lose when Arkansas was driving late with the game tied at 17. Then Nickoe Whitley stripped and recovered the ball from Alex Collins at the nine yard line. The Dawgs missed a FG as time expired, but Damian Williams came off the bench and in one play delivered a TD to cap a 24-17 overtime win.