Mississippi State football vs LSU: The good, bad, and ugly

Sep 16, 2023; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) is hit by Mississippi State Bulldogs safety Shawn Preston Jr. (7) on a play that would result in a targeting penalty during the third quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 16, 2023; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) is hit by Mississippi State Bulldogs safety Shawn Preston Jr. (7) on a play that would result in a targeting penalty during the third quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mississippi State football fell to 2-1 on the season following a miserable performance against LSU. What was so bad? What was downright ugly? Was there any good — any hope for the season moving forward?

The Mississippi State football team collectively laid a turd on Saturday against a strong LSU squad.

Do you know what we do with turds?

We flush them.

We forget about them and move on. But before we completely flush this game and start concentrating on the South Carolina Gamecocks, let’s quickly hit on the good/bad/ugly from Saturday’s game against the Tigers.

The good from Mississippi State football vs. LSU: sparks from Woody Marks and Tulu Griffin

I’ve been watching a lot of Naked and Afraid recently (a new baby has me up at all hours and the show seems to be on all the time). The first half of the Mississippi State football game Saturday was like watching someone try to start a fire on that show.

After giving up a field goal on LSU’s first possession, we got a spark from Tulu Griffin when he returned the ensuing kickoff 39 yards, setting the MSU offense up near midfield. Unfortunately, that spark died out after a miserable three-and-out in which the offense lost 7 yards.

What at one time looked promising had water thrown on it by the ineptitude of the offense.

After three more three-and-outs – three more failed attempts to get a fire started – State got another spark from a 52-yard run by Woody Marks.

While it looked like the spark would fizzle out after a 3rd down pass came up four yards short of a first down, a flame appeared when Tulu Griffin caught a pass for a first down and followed that with a 9-yard touchdown run.

Our small flame on offense survived halftime and a field goal drive from LSU to start the second half. Unfortunately after 8 plays and 43 yards, it fizzled on a false start and failed fourth down attempt in LSU territory on Mississippi State’s first drive of the 3rd quarter.