MSU: 35 BYU: 10
Mississippi State kicked off early Saturday morning against the BYU Cougars and got back in the win column after two straight losses to Georgia and Auburn before the team’s bye week. Despite losing the turnover battle by a ratio of 3:2, the Bulldogs were able to come out on top by the final score of 35-10. QB Nick Fitzgerald accounted for four total touchdowns; 2 in the air and two on the ground. While searching for the key difference in the game, you don’t need to look much further than total yards for each team. The Bulldogs were able to total 546 yards, compared to BYU’s 176. While the Bulldog offense built a 21-3 halftime lead, the defense was able to keep the Cougars in check. MSU was able to control the clock and sustain drives with 35 total first downs, and BYU could only muster eight first downs throughout the game. This contest was never in question, and MSU was able to coast in the second half as they cruised to their 4th win of the season.
Next Game: The Bulldogs (4-2) get back to SEC play next week, and welcome the Kentucky Wildcats (5-1) to Starkville for homecoming.
Ole Miss: 57 Vanderbilt: 35
Ole Miss returned to Oxford after losing three straight games on the road, and the Rebel offense was rolling in a 57-35 win over Vanderbilt for their first SEC win of the year. Rebel QB Shea Patterson eclipsed 350 yards through the air and added four touchdown passes. The Commodores weren’t able to cover Rebel receivers as A.J. Brown caught eight passes for 174 and two touchdowns, and six others caught passes including two touchdown catches for DeMarkus Lodge. The Ole Miss running game was able to provide a balance in the Rebel offense that they have been missing in weeks past. RB Jordan Wilkins was able to keep the Vandy defense on their heels while rushing for 113 yards and one touchdown. In their losses to Alabama and Auburn, the Rebel defense failed to show any spark, but in today’s matchup, the bunch accounted for two turnovers and seven sacks. The unit had just four sacks during the 2017 season prior to today’s win.
Next Game: Ole Miss (3-3) plays host to former head coach Ed Orgeron and LSU (5-2) next week in Oxford.
Southern Miss: 24 UTEP: 0
Southern Miss took on a winless UTEP team in Hattiesburg for homecoming and took care of business with a 24-0 win. In his second week filling in for an injured Kwadra Griggs, QB Keon Howard did throw 2 INTs but was able to lead his team to victory for the second straight week. When Howard needed a big play, he went to WR Jaylond Adams. Adams had just two catches but made the most of them, totaling 104 yards and a score. The Golden Eagles did most of their damage on the ground leaning on RB Ito Smith. Smith turned 28 carries into 120 yards and two touchdowns. UTEP’s offense was never able to get going and was only able to total 147 yards. This was the second shutout posted by the Southern Miss defense this season. Neither team was able to secure the ball, and each had three turnovers, but the Golden Eagles were able to overcome their mistakes to secure the win.
Next Game: Southern Miss (4-2) will hit the road to take on Louisiana Tech (3-3)
