Maroon and White Nation
Fansided

The good, bad, and ugly from Mississippi State football's win over Eastern Kentucky

Things were mostly good for the Bulldogs on Saturday, but there was some bad and even some ugly during their dominant win.

By Andrew Miller

Aug 31, 2024; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Jordan Mosley (6) runs the ball while defended by Eastern Kentucky Colonels defensive back Sam Robertson (24) during the third quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 31, 2024; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Jordan Mosley (6) runs the ball while defended by Eastern Kentucky Colonels defensive back Sam Robertson (24) during the third quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports / Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
facebooktwitterreddit

It was a successful Saturday for Mississippi State football. The Bulldogs cruised their way to a 56-7 win over Eastern Kentucky to open up the 2024 season.

Let's discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly from MSU's win.

The Good: Mississippi State's receiving corps

MSU was without their top WR in Kelly Akharaiyi against EKU, but you wouldn't have guessed that based on how their WRs performed. Jordan Mosley, Kevin Coleman, and Mario Craver all hauled in long TD receptions and finished with at least 50 receiving yards. They ran free down the sidelines all game and showed great run after catch ability. And we can't forget Creed Whittemore, who outraced defenders 41-yards to the endzone on a reverse. Add a healthy Akharaiyi to that group, and that's a terrifying receiving corps.

The Bad: Mississippi State's run blocking

For as much good as we saw from the Bulldog offense, there was plenty of room for improvement. Easily the biggest issue on offense was the run blocking up front. State finished the game with over 200 rushing yards at a respectable yards per rush, but those numbers are heavily skewed by QB Blake Shapen scrambling and Whittemore's TD run. On standard runs with their backs, the Bulldog OL struggled to get much push against the EKU Front 7. That's a bit concerning considering the quality of competition. They'll have to get better in the coming weeks.

The Ugly: The weather in Starkville

Mississippi State's offensive parade quite literally got rained on Saturday evening. Shortly after the Bulldogs went ahead 14-0, torrential rain began to pour over Davis Wade Stadium. While the vibes inside stayed strong, the weather had a noticeable impact on State's offense, particularly when it came to holding onto the football. Their effectiveness in the passing game slowed some, at least briefly, and as mentioned, they weren't exactly pushing around EKU on the ground like you'd prefer in a downpour. If things stay dry, I think State puts up even more impressive numbers offensively.

Home/Mississippi State Football