\u201cShapen\u201d the Offense<\/strong><\/h3>\nDespite heavy rain, Baylor transfer Blake Shapen<\/a> proved why he was Lebby\u2019s hand-picked quarterback to run the offense. The former Ole Miss and Oklahoma offensive coordinator stated in his first press conference<\/a> last November, \u00a0\u201cWe want guys who can do both, keep people honest with their feet, and be able to throw it all over the yard,\u201d Lebby said. Shapen did both quite effectively on Saturday. He completed 15 of his 20 pass attempts, for 247 yards, and three touchdowns. When his receivers were covered, he took off using his legs. He had 44 yards on the ground, with one touchdown.<\/p>\nThe passing game saw a variety of targets for Shapen, from Kevin Coleman Jr<\/a>., Jordan Mosley, and Mario Craver<\/a>. Mosley broke the game open on just the third play of the game with a 65-yard pass for a touchdown. Coleman and Mosely both had touchdowns. Coleman is a double threat racking up 117 yards on six punt returns.<\/p>\nThe running back position had been heavily contested during fall camp. Lebby\u2019s well-balanced attack relies on that position. While it wasn\u2019t efficient, the Dawgs did roll up 203 yards, with Creed Whittemore<\/a> and Davon Booth<\/a> each scoring on the ground.<\/p>\nDefense \u2013 No Longer a Question Mark<\/strong><\/h3>\nBy the nature of Lebby\u2019s pedigree, the offense has been getting the most press attention. Defensive coordinator Coleman Hutzler, had his work cut out for him after losing a significant number of good players from last season. But, his Power-Five experience at Texas and Alabama seems to have paid off.<\/p>\n
EKU only crossed into State territory twice, one of them, being their lone score in the waning minutes of the first half. Perhaps the most noticeable aspect of the MSU defense was energy and physicality.<\/p>\n
One of the pleasant surprises was the performance of the secondary. At the end of the Spring Game<\/a>, one of Lebby\u2019s concerns was sufficient talent in that area. Despite DeAgo Brumfield<\/a>, Bulldog-veteran Corey Ellington<\/a>, and Traveon Wright<\/a> out due to injury, the secondary played especially well covering the pass. They also delivered some crushing hits to the Colonels run game. The cherry on top was freshman Elijah Cannon with a 50-yard pick-six with 4:07 left in the game.<\/p>\nThe State defense finished with two sacks, five tackles for loss, four quarterback hurries, and four pass breakups. There was nothing spectacular. They did what they should do against an inferior offense.<\/p>\n
Still, the Bulldogs gave up 295 yards. Against an FCS team that was one of the weaker ones last year, they can do better. But EKU\u2019s lack of scoring made up for that.<\/p>\n
Not Good Enough!<\/strong><\/h3>\n
The passing game saw a variety of targets for Shapen, from Kevin Coleman Jr<\/a>., Jordan Mosley, and Mario Craver<\/a>. Mosley broke the game open on just the third play of the game with a 65-yard pass for a touchdown. Coleman and Mosely both had touchdowns. Coleman is a double threat racking up 117 yards on six punt returns.<\/p>\n The running back position had been heavily contested during fall camp. Lebby\u2019s well-balanced attack relies on that position. While it wasn\u2019t efficient, the Dawgs did roll up 203 yards, with Creed Whittemore<\/a> and Davon Booth<\/a> each scoring on the ground.<\/p>\n By the nature of Lebby\u2019s pedigree, the offense has been getting the most press attention. Defensive coordinator Coleman Hutzler, had his work cut out for him after losing a significant number of good players from last season. But, his Power-Five experience at Texas and Alabama seems to have paid off.<\/p>\n EKU only crossed into State territory twice, one of them, being their lone score in the waning minutes of the first half. Perhaps the most noticeable aspect of the MSU defense was energy and physicality.<\/p>\n One of the pleasant surprises was the performance of the secondary. At the end of the Spring Game<\/a>, one of Lebby\u2019s concerns was sufficient talent in that area. Despite DeAgo Brumfield<\/a>, Bulldog-veteran Corey Ellington<\/a>, and Traveon Wright<\/a> out due to injury, the secondary played especially well covering the pass. They also delivered some crushing hits to the Colonels run game. The cherry on top was freshman Elijah Cannon with a 50-yard pick-six with 4:07 left in the game.<\/p>\n The State defense finished with two sacks, five tackles for loss, four quarterback hurries, and four pass breakups. There was nothing spectacular. They did what they should do against an inferior offense.<\/p>\n Still, the Bulldogs gave up 295 yards. Against an FCS team that was one of the weaker ones last year, they can do better. But EKU\u2019s lack of scoring made up for that.<\/p>\nDefense \u2013 No Longer a Question Mark<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Not Good Enough!<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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