Mississippi State Versus Missouri Report Card
Nov 5, 2015; Columbia, MO, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Richie Brown (39) tackles Missouri Tigers running back Russell Hansbrough (32) during the first half at Faurot Field. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Defense’s Grade
Grade: A-Most of you probably won’t agree with this grade, but I liked what I saw from the defense. Yes the defense did give up the first touchdown Missouri scored since the beginning of October, but that touchdown drive is hard to take seriously. Missouri wasn’t going to throw the ball in those conditions, and the Mississippi State defenders couldn’t wrap up and make tackles. Outside of a few isolated incidents, this wasn’t the case for the rest of the game.
The only other issue I had was the big run by Tyler Hunt. The Bulldogs got sloppy on it and the tackling was poor, but other than that, when the conditions were improved, the Bulldogs did what they were supposed to on defense.
Missouri entered the game only getting 281 yards per game, and the Bulldogs only gave up 41 more yards than that. And if hadn’t been for monsoon aided drive by Missouri in the second quarter, Mississippi State would have held the Tigers to an amount lower than their already abysmal average.
More importantly, the Bulldogs continued to do what they usually do, and that is keep the other team out of the end zone, especially in the red zone. Missouri entered the red zone four times against Mississippi State, but only scored one touchdown and were held to two field goals. The Bulldogs have now only given up 10 touchdowns in 31 times the other team has crossed the Mississippi State 20 yard line.
The 13 points given up is just under three less than the Bulldogs’ yearly average of 15.8. That is good for 10th in the country.
Next: Special Teams Grade