Once again, Mississippi State lost to a top 15 team, this time to No. 15 Texas A&M 34-24. This is the third week in a row that State has faced a team in the top 15. Last week, it was No. 5 Georgia, a 34-point favorite that also disappointed oddsmakers in the 41-31 victory. Before the Athens game, State was in Austin, TX against No. 1 Texas where the Bulldogs lost 35-13. That’s a tough schedule, even for great teams. But, in all three games, they continue to improve. Even in this loss to the Aggies.
In the Texas A&M game, there were several occasions that State could have walked away with a victory. But those are the occasions on which experienced, winning teams usually take advantage. Saturday the Bulldogs showed signs that they can eventually become such a team.
In his postgame press conference, head coach Jeff Lebby seemed to think they’re getting there. “We’ve gotten better,” Lebby said. “I don’t think there’s any doubt about that. I think we’re starting to find a little bit of an identity at times. We’ve got to create more consistency. We’ve got to be able to go sustain. We’ve got to make the play that has the ability to change the outcome of the game. That’s the stress.”
Earlier Impressions
The Texas game was the first career start for true freshman quarterback Michael Van Buren. He replaced the injured senior Blake Shapen, who was sidelined for the season with a shoulder injury.
Think about the fact that this time last year, Van Buren was playing in high school, now thrust into one of the most hostile environments a visiting team could face. But, at Texas, and Georgia, he showed poise and confidence running Lebby’s offense like a veteran. The only problem in both games was they didn’t show a spark until the second half. Van Buren vowed to change that in the Texas A&M game, wanting to get started earlier.
That is exactly what happened as the Bulldogs took the opening kickoff. The young quarterback marched his offense down the field 92 yards in 12 plays for the first score of the game. Granted, the Aggies answered with two straight touchdown drives, but the offense was making its mark. He would end up passing for 242 yards and three touchdowns.
Of course, Van Buren had help from receivers Kevin Coleman Jr., Kelly Akharaiyi, and Mario Craver. Coleman and Craver each had a touchdown reception. The running game also showed improvement. Running back Davon Booth had an impressive 40-yard run that helped break open that first drive. He also sealed the deal in the same series, scoring the touchdown after a 14-yard pass from Van Buren.
In his win over Texas Saturday night, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart handed out a compliment for State’s offense. In praising his defense against the Longhorns, Smart said, “Our defense was embarrassed the week before.” Surely, Lebby appreciated that Smart paid attention.
Bulldogs’ Confusing Defense
State’s defense against A&M was sometimes good in the secondary, but other times they were almost non-existent. For example, Aggies’ quarterback Conner Weigman hit on six of seven throws, in the drive following Van Buren’s beginning score. After that, he threw up two passes right in the hands of safety Corey Ellington and another to linebacker Nic Mitchell. The only problem was, that both defenders dropped them. Both could have been game-changers and potential scores for the Dawgs.
There were two interceptions by Bulldog linebacker Zakari Tillman and safety Hunter Washington. The most consequential was Tillman’s at the start of the fourth quarter which led to State’s touchdown bringing it to a one-score game.
The allowance of third-down conversions was the worst showing for the defense. Weigman converted nine-of-14 third downs, the most the Dawgs have allowed all season. On top of that, there were no sacks and only one tackle for a loss. Imagine the outcome of the game if those interceptions had been made and they were more aggressive on defense.
He Did What?
One of the most puzzling aspects of the game was in the third quarter when State had the ball on its own 30-yard line. It was fourth down and eight to go and the Dawgs were down by seven. For some reason, Lebby thought it would be a good idea to fake the punt. The result was freshman running back Xavier Zaylen, taking the snap for two yards, and turning it over on downs. The resulting Aggie drive took only four plays and the score became 31-17.
There is no doubt that Lebby would love to have that decision back, but it turns out he thought about it a lot in game prep. “I felt great about the fake all week long,” Lebby said. “We loved the looks that we had gotten. We thought 10 (yards) or less, regardless of where it was as long as we weren’t inside our own 20-yard line or it was truly egregious, we were going to give it a chance to go. Again, I felt good about it. Looking back, obviously I’ll Monday morning quarterback myself for a long time and won’t get over that for a long time because of the way it worked out.”
A Win in Their Future?
This game marked the sixth win in a row for Texas A&M. They are positioned at the top of the SEC at 6-1, 4-0 in the conference. On the other hand, this game marked the sixth loss in a row for the Bulldogs, as they are 1-6, 0-4 in the SEC. Somehow, the fans have accepted their fate and are taking each week as proof there are better seasons to come.
Arkansas comes to Starkville next week with the potential of perhaps Mississippi State’s first conference win. After that, the Dawgs travel to Tennessee, then Missouri at home, and the day after Thanksgiving, it’s off to Oxford and Lebby’s first Egg Bowl. At least the players are still optimistic, which is the bulk of the battle. Following the game, leading tackler, and safety Isaac Smith still has hope. “Losing will either break or make a team. I feel like it’s teaching us a lesson on adversity and how we should stick together as brothers,” Smith said. “It’s going to come a point in time where we’re going to start winning. We know what we’ve got to do to get it fix and we’ve got to just pull together and win.”
