Without starting quarterback Will Rogers and running back Woody Marks, Mississippi State could not find much firepower on offense as the Bulldogs fell to Auburn 27-13 on Saturday afternoon.
After giving up an opening-drive touchdown to the Tigers (4-4, 1-4 SEC), Mississippi State (4-4, 1-4) was playing from behind all day. In the first half alone, the Bulldog defense allowed Auburn and Michigan State transfer Payton Thorne to nearly exceed more passing yards than they had managed on a game-by-game basis going into Saturday’s contest.
Trailing 24-3 at halftime, the Bulldogs were able to add three more to the scoreboard off the foot of Kyle Ferrie before Auburn responded with a field goal of their own. Mississippi State finally found the end zone to start the fourth quarter when Mike Wright connected with Zavion Thomas on a 14-yard touchdown.
The score would stay the same for the rest of the game as Auburn went on to find their first SEC win of the year. Thorne finished with 230 yards on 20 of 26 passing with three touchdowns while Jarquez Hunter ran for 144 yards.
Leading Mississippi State was Wright with 161 yards on 16 of 32 passing with the lone touchdown and an interception. The dual-threat signal caller added 63 yards with his feet as Thomas finished with 112 yards. Both Nathaniel Watson and Jett Johnson notched nine tackles apiece.
Next up for Mississippi State will be its Homecoming game against Kentucky. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 4.
