Mississippi State had never in over 100 years of playing football comeback from a twenty point defecit. Down 34-14 in the fourth quarter to Louisiana Tech, it appeared Mike Leach’s second season at the helm of the Bulldogs was about to get off to a horrific start. Instead, the Bulldogs found a spark and scored 21 unaswered, then survived a game winning field goal attempt that fell well short to grab a 35-34 win before a sparse but ecstatic crowd at Davis Wade Stadium.
DAWGS WIN‼️#HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/uW5icFuoAj
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) September 4, 2021
It all started so beautifully for the Bulldogs, with State getting off to a 14-0 lead behind Will Rogers The sophomore signal caller started 13 of his first 14 with two scores. State also forced two Tech turnovers in their first three possessions, and appeared in complete control. On the final play of the first quarter, Tech quarterback Austin Kendall hit Bub Means for a 72 yard bomb to put the other Bulldogs on the board. From there, they would grab control of the grab, rolling off 34 straight points and forcing 4 MSU turnovers.
State finally got things going midway through the fourth, when a long kickoff return by Tulu Griffin sparked a short drive capped by Woody Marks plunging into the end zone. The Bulldogs would then clamp down on the Tech offense, forcing back to back punts, and the offense finally figured things out. Marks would finish another drive with a five yard score, then Rogers found Walley for a 15 yard score that ultimately provided the winning margin.
𝑫𝑨𝑾𝑮𝑺! 𝑶𝑵! 𝑻𝑶𝑷!#HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/0w8Oul7Zin
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) September 4, 2021
State goes to 1-0 on the season, and faces North Carolina State in Starkville next Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 PM.
Picture courtesy of Mississippi State atheltics
