Mississippi State football vs. Southeastern Louisiana: The Good, Bad and Ugly

Sep 2, 2023; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Jo'Quavious Marks (7) dives over Southeastern Louisiana Lions defensive back Ian Goodly (4) during the second quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 2, 2023; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Jo'Quavious Marks (7) dives over Southeastern Louisiana Lions defensive back Ian Goodly (4) during the second quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
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Southeastern Louisiana Lions head football coach Frank Scelfo during the game against the Mississippi State football team
Sep 2, 2023; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Southeastern Lousiana Lions head coach Frank Scelfo reacts after a play during the third quarter of the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

The bad: not much for the Mississippi State football team

I’l say it again, there was not much bad that could have happened when playing an FCS team and beating them 48-7. We did not play a bad game.

However, things could have been better. Maybe instead of “BAD” this portion should be called “DISAPPOINTING”. (Can you tell I’m a dad now?)

Our first half of football was disappointing.

I didn’t want to see us punt at all on Saturday, and we punted twice in our first three possessions. Sandwiched between those punts was a field goal. Our start was very flat, and lemme tell you the group chat was TILTING.

Early on, our offensive line struggled, and Will Rogers couldn’t get going. The line finally put things together late in the first half, but Rogers finished the game with a QBR of 51.3 and only 227 yards passing. It wasn’t bad but it was disappointing when you saw how QB’s across the country were lighting up FCS competition.

It was the first game outside of the Air Raid for Will, and there seemed to be some minor issues with the transition.

I expect Will Rogers to have plenty of great moments this season, but I’d be lying if I said this gave me a ton of confidence moving forward. But give this offensive line some time to gel, and we can possibly turn things around.