Reliving the 1999 Auburn Game with Matt Wyatt

Matt Wyatt receives the game ball from coach Jackie Sherrill after leading an epic comeback against the Tigers. Credit to Matt Wyatt for providing the photo.

When we were previewing all of the games on Mississippi State’s schedule, I wrote about how I turned the Auburn game off  before Matt Wyatt led an epic comeback. I still hate that I did that. What I don’t hate is that Matt was kind enough to answer some questions for us about how he remembered that game. A big thank you goes out to him for helping us out.

What was the mood like in the locker room at half time with the team struggling to move the ball, but the score was still close?

"Halftime was a blur to me, because they checked Wayne’s throwing hand and realized he’d torn a tendon. They told me the rest of the game was mine so I spent the entire time going over the reads/plays with Coach Sparky Woods."

Did Wayne Madkin say anything to you when he was ruled out for the rest of the game?

"No, there wasn’t time for that really. Plus, I didn’t want to really bother him and it was obvious he was shaken up pretty bad. Not because of the injury itself so much as he knew he was done for the day and at that time didn’t know if he’d play anymore that season."

It was no secret the defense carried us in 1999, how were the players on defense feeling with the offense struggling?

"That defense knew we were going to win. We all knew it. There, honestly, was never any doubt in anybody’s mind. Barrin Simpson, Fred Smoot, Kevin Sluder, and Alvin McKinnley all spoke to me on the field at start of the 2nd half and said things like “let’s go win this thing and get out of here.”"

In your opinion, what was the turning point of that game?

"The turning point was the decision to finally get into a spread-em-out, no-huddle offense as part of our 2-minute package. That’s was I did best. It’s what I was most comfortable doing. In hindsight, if we’d used that type system the whole game it might not’ve been close."

What impact did Tuberville purposely giving up the safety have on the game?

"It essentially took away any drama after we scored the winning TD. If he’d not taken the safety, we’d have gotten the ball back down 16-10. Upon scoring a TD, the extra point would have been for the win. With the safety the score was 16-12, so our TD made it 18-16 and there was no need to even try an extra point."

What changed the last four minutes of the game that you took advantage of that the team wasn’t able to take advantage of the rest of the game?

"As I mentioned before, it was the offensive scheme along with the fact that Auburn went zone/prevent, and their general attitude was to play NOT to lose."

After the game was over, how long did it take for you to realize you played in a game that Mississippi State fans would remember for years to come?

"We knew immediately that it was a special win, because it’s rare to score two touchdowns in the last couple of minutes like that. However, I had no clue it would be that kind of memory for the fan base. I’ve continued to be amazed over the last 15 years just how often someone brings up that game. It was truly special for me, and I guess for many others too."

Is there anything that happened in that game that you think Bulldog fans would find interesting that many would not be aware of?

"I went into that game thinking I would be the punter that day. Jeff Walker had been injured all week, so I worked as the first string punter (which you’ll remember, I was also our pooch punter). I was VERY excited to punt in that game, couldn’t sleep the night before. We get out for special teams warm-ups. Jeff comes out and starts kicking and said he feels better than he had all week. Coach talks to him and decides he’s ready to go. I was crushed! Never expected what was about to happen."

Once again, thanks to Matt Wyatt for answering some questions for us. You can catch him on Head to Head Radio Monday through Friday, and follow him on Twitter @MaroonWyatt.