Mississippi State Survives Arkansas
Nov 1, 2014; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Josh Robinson (13) carries the ball against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
No one believed that Arkansas would just roll over for the Bulldogs. The Razorbacks have made a habit of giving every team they play all they can handle and much more. They have also made a habit of not figuring out a way to win the game. Old habits are just hard to break.
The Mississippi State Bulldogs beat the Arkansas Razorbacks 17-10 in a slug fest that the Razorbacks have a penchant for forcing their opponent into this season. As hard as the Razorbacks made it on the Bulldogs, the Bulldogs made it equally as hard on themselves. The Bulldogs committed three turnovers on two interceptions and a fumbled punt. They also committed 8 penalties, many of which were false starts by the offensive line. The Razorbacks opened the scoring on their first drive with a field goal. Dak Prescott would throw an interception on the ensuing possession for the Bulldogs when his throw was rushed due to pressure from the Razorbacks’ defensive line. The Bulldogs defense would hold, but a fumble by Jamoral Graham on the punt would set Arkansas up just outside the red zone. The Razorbacks would punch it in for a 10-0 lead. Fred Ross would replace Graham on punt returns the rest of the night.
The Bulldogs responded to the Arkansas touchdown with a touchdown of their own. Josh Robinson would run the ball in to the end zone from three yards out to cut the lead to 10-7. Mississippi State would force a punt on the Razorbacks’ next possession, and started to drive down the field with a chance to take the lead or tie the game. On a third and long inside the 50, Dak Prescott made an uncharacteristic bad pass that was picked off by an Arkansas linebacker and returned inside the Mississippi State 35 yard line. Some big plays by the Bulldogs defense forced a punt before half to keep the score 10-7.
The Bulldogs opened the second half with an impressive drive that stalled on the Arkansas 21 yard line to force a 4th and 1. Dan Mullen elected to go for it instead of try the field goal, and Dak Prescott would be stuffed on the quarterback keeper. Arkansas started to mount a drive and then preceded to shoot themselves in the foot. After a 3rd down conversion at midfield, the Razorbacks were called for unsportsmanlike conduct. A false start penalty would push the Razorbacks even further back and force Arkansas to punt. The Bulldogs then drove back down to the Arkansas 20 before another drive stalled. This time Mullen chose to send Evan Sobiesk on to try the 37 yard field goal. He would make it, and tie the game. The 37 yard field goal is the longest of the season for the Bulldogs.
The 4th quarter is where everything changed for the Bulldogs. Arkansas got the ball back after the field goal, and drove methodically down the field to the 25 yard line where their own drive stalled out. Bret Bielema chose to try a 42 yard field goal that would go wide right.
On the next possession, the Bulldogs faced 3rd and 4 from their own 31 yard line. The Arkansas pass rush would force Dak to scramble, and in a play that was similar to the Dak to Jameon play in Baton Rouge, Prescott would find a wide open Fred Ross for a 69 yard touchdown. The Razorbacks drove the ball down to the Bulldogs three on the next possession but would come up short on fourth down. Mississippi State ran the clock down to 2:30 and was forced to punt.
Normally, the Razorbacks wouldn’t be able to drive the length of the field in less than three minutes, but Brandon Allen found Hunter Henry multiple times for first downs, including a 37 yard gain on 4th and 15 inside their own 20. After driving all the way to the Bulldogs’ 16, Brandon Allen would throw to the end zone, but Will Redmond made an incredible play to intercept the pass and seal the game.
Despite the two interceptions, Dak Prescott had a great game. He completed 18 of 27 passes for 331 yards and 1 touchdown with the two interceptions. He also ran for 61 more yards for a total of 392 yards. It was a career high for Prescott, and the first time a quarterback has thrown for 300 yards in the Mullen era. It was also the first time a quarterback had thrown for over 300 yards since Wesley Carroll against these same Razorbacks. Josh Robinson had a big day receiving as well. He had 6 catches for 110 yards to go along with 64 yards on 19 carries.
The Bulldogs move their record to 8-0 for the first time since 1999. The victory ran the Bulldogs conference record to 5-0 and ensures they will finish with a winning record in conference play for the first time under Dan Mullen. Coupled with the Ole Miss loss to Auburn, the Bulldogs now control their own destiny along with the Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC West. The Bulldogs will take on UT Martin next Saturday that will air on the SEC Network.