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Mississippi State Football: Report Card Through Week 6 of College Football

By Landon Young

Oct 8, 2022; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Will Rogers (2) speaks with head coach Mike Leach during a timeout during the second quarter of the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2022; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Will Rogers (2) speaks with head coach Mike Leach during a timeout during the second quarter of the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mississippi State football is off to a 5-1 start through the first six weeks of the college football season. The Mississippi State Bulldogs won their first two games of the season vs. non-conference opponents, lost to the LSU Tigers in week 3, and dominated the Bowling Green Falcons, Texas A&M Aggies, and Arkansas Razorbacks in weeks 4, 5, and 6. In one of the most convincing SEC West wins in Mike Leach’s tenure, the Bulldogs are coming off a 40-17 victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Thoughts about the 2022 Mississippi State football team can change weekly, just ask Brian Hadad from Thunder and Lightning. Here is the report card for the Mississippi State Bulldogs through the first six weeks of college football:

Offense – A+

Due to the Mississippi State running game, the offense was hitting on all cylinders on Saturday vs. the Arkansas Razorbacks. Wait… what was that? A Mike Leach offense was hitting on all cylinders due to the running game? Yes sir, you read that correctly. Arkansas rushed three and dropped eight on defense all game long, and Dillon Johnson had his biggest day on the ground. Johnson finished with 17 carries for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns. That is the most yards a running back has had under Mike Leach during his tenure at Mississippi State.

All of that to say, Will Rogers played a really good game. Rogers broke the SEC completion record that was previously held by Aaron Murray. Rogers finished 31/48 for 395 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Defense – B+

The Mississippi State football defense played well on Saturday, and I am not taking it for granted, but there were a couple of issues. Arkansas managed to hang around early in the third quarter due to Mississippi State’s defense giving up the big play. Big plays (deep balls) have seemed to be an issue for the Bulldog defense whenever the defensive line cannot get to the quarterback.

Special Teams – D

Guys, am I being punked? This is unbelievable. I’m not sure any other team in America has to deal with our field-goal-kicking issues. The first missed PAT was due to the holder. I’m not exactly sure what happened with the second one, but the extra point has not been guaranteed for the Bulldogs’ special teams, and that’s why they are receiving a D this week on the report card.

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