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Mississippi State vs. South Alabama: reaction to the debacle

By Josh Barnhill

Sep 3, 2016; Starkville, MS, USA; South Alabama Jaguars defensive lineman Sir Calvin Wallace (19) and offensive lineman Steve McKenzie (73) react after the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium. South Alabama won 21-20. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Starkville, MS, USA; South Alabama Jaguars defensive lineman Sir Calvin Wallace (19) and offensive lineman Steve McKenzie (73) react after the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium. South Alabama won 21-20. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mississippi State, a 28-point favorite, lost to South Alabama by a score of 21-20.

Dan Mullen was wearing a baseball hat in the second half instead of a visor. He wore shorts instead of pants. I bet he never does that again.

There’s just about no way this game could have gone worse. We came into the game expecting a relatively easy win where we’d get some direction on the quarterback competition. As it turned out, we got neither.

Nick Fitzgerald only played two series, which were three and outs, until Damian Williams came in as scheduled for the third drive. Williams proceeded to lead MSU to touchdowns on back-to-back drives and it looked like the game would go as expected.

However, MSU never put USA away. After a 17-0 lead at halftime, Williams came back out as QB in the 2nd half and wasn’t the same. Yet Mullen stuck with him as he wasn’t horrible, and Fitz did have some nerves and you could say didn’t look good at all when he was in there.

Mistakes by SEC Network: SEC Nation coming to Starkville for South Carolina game

South Alabama went on a 99-yard drive late in the 3rd quarter and into the 4th quarter that was one of the worst displays of defense you’ll ever see. The drive should have ended on a safety if not for a missed tackle in the endzone, but instead the Jaguars drove the length of the field while converting a 4th down and MSU committing multiple penalties.

On defense, MSU’s pass defense was really bad. On offense, MSU either couldn’t or wouldn’t run the ball. South Alabama had the 113th best run defense in college football and had a defensive line decimated by injuries but State refused to use a power running game.

Mississippi State had a chance to win the game on a chip-shot 28 yard field goal, but Westin Graves hit the upright. That was pretty awful but the game isn’t on him – it was awful in all phases….especially coaching.

Statistically, both teams were roughly the same yardage wise. MSU was 2 for 9 on third downs. South Alabama had 13 minutes more possession than MSU.

This was pathetic. Here is some reaction from twitter:

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