The Mississippi State Bulldogs defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks, 40-17. The Mississippi State football team is now 5-1 on the season and looking for their sixth win of the season on the road vs. the Kentucky Wildcats next week. The Bulldogs looked solid in all aspects of the game besides field-goal kicking.
Here are my early post-game thoughts.
Will Rogers sets the SEC record for completions through 28 games.
Early in the first half, Will Rogers completed seven passes and broke Aaron Murray’s SEC record for completions. The only difference between the two quarterbacks is that Will Rogers did it in 28 games, and Aaron Murray did it in 52 games. Will Rogers finished the day with 395 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Dillon Johnson and Jo’quavious Marks change everything about the Mississippi State football offense.
Dillon Johnson and Jo’quavious Marks finished today’s game vs. the Arkansas Razorbacks with 152 yards and 3 touchdowns. Mike Leach was willing and able to run the ball all over the Arkansas defense. Leach came into this game ready to put the ball on the ground. It is obvious that Mike Leach has adjusted to the SEC by running the ball whenever he needs to. Big game on the ground for Mississippi State.
The field goal team has to improve or Mississippi State will lose a big game.
Mississippi State’s field goal team missed two extra points and one field today vs. the Arkansas Razorbacks. This has been an issue all season long, and the Bulldogs must fix this if they expect to compete in the SEC down the road. The field-goal-kicking problem could cost Mississippi State a big game later in the season.
Mississippi State football’s defense will win the team big games.
On the other hand, the Mississippi State defense is going to keep the Bulldogs in big games. They are a mean defense that can cause turnovers. Sure, they gave up some big plays, but they are able to make big stops in big-time moments. The Bulldog defense finished today’s game with two turnovers.
Today’s win was important concerning SEC standings.
This win was huge with Mississippi State moving on to the Kentucky Wildcats next week. The Bulldogs are now 2-1 in the SEC with dominating wins over Arkansas and Texas A&M and a loss to the LSU Tigers. Mississippi State is in competition to finish third or fourth in the SEC, and today’s win pushes them forward with confidence.