STARKVILLE — Mississippi State sophomore quarterback Tyler Russell provided a spark Saturday afternoon.
However, the spark wasn’t enough to put the Bulldogs in the win column for the first time this season in the Southeastern Conference. MSU couldn’t make a fourth-quarter lead hold up, falling 14-12 to No. 15 South Carolina at Davis Wade Stadium.
Making his first career start at MSU, Russell completed 11 of 29 passes with one touchdown and two interceptions for 165 yards.
“Tyler put us in a position to win,” MSU senior running back Vick Ballard said. “He was comfortable right from the start. We knew he would be calm because that is what kind of person he is.”
Last week, Russell saw his first extensive playing time of the season. Entering in the second half, the Meridian native threw three touchdowns in a 21-3 victory at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Things didn’t end as well seven days later.
“I did not play well enough today,” Russell said. “Sometimes I made the play and sometimes I did not. We are close as a football team to taking the next step. It is never fun to lose. We have to keep a good attitude and keep moving forward with the season.”
The Bulldogs took a 7-0 lead after scoring on the third possession of the game. Russell led the squad 69 yards on 10 plays. Russell hit Chris Smith for a 19-yard touchdown pass. MSU had a couple of chances to add to the lead, but the timing was just off on a couple of deep pass patterns.
South Carolina tied the game at 7 with an 80-yard, 13-play drive three possessions later.
Midway through the second quarter, Russell threw his first interception of the day deep in MSU territory. The turnover came on a deflection. South Carolina gave the possession right back as Connor Shaw threw one of his two interceptions in the end zone a minute later.
“I settled in pretty quick I thought,” Russell said. “Sometimes I was high and sometimes I was low. I have to be a more consistent quarterback for us to win. This is why I wanted to play in the Southeastern Conference, so I could face tough defenses like South Carolina.”
MSU finished with a 296-289 advantage in offense, as both defenses had a stellar afternoon. However, the hosts had a couple of chances in the second half.
In the early stages of the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs moved 70 yards on 12 plays. Russell hit Smith for a 10-yard pickup and Malcolm Johnson for a 32-yard pickup on the drive. A pass interference call placed the Bulldogs on the South Carolina 4-yard line. However, three plays (two passes, one rush) netted nothing and a field goal try was in order.
After two earlier misses, Derek DePasquale drilled a 22-yard field goal for a 10-7 MSU lead.
South Carolina answered with a 79-yard, 12-play scoring march. A 4-yard Alshon Jeffrey pass reception from Shaw placed the Gamecocks on top, 14-10 with 3 minutes, 50 seconds left.
The Bulldogs had one last chance. The Bulldogs drove 38 yards to the USC 32 before Russell’s final interception sealed the victory for the Gamecocks.
“(We) wanted to throw a fade down the sideline,” MSU coach Dan Mullen said. “Arceto (Clark) was in one-on-one (coverage). The guy was playing hard inside. He was hit right at the end and didn’t get enough zip on the ball and it kind of floated up on him.
“He’ll learn and he’ll get better. He’ll make some better throws. It’s a good learning experience to be in that situation of making that throw. I see us making that throw as we continue.”
Russell hit Clark for a big 22-yard pass pickup on the final march. With the clock inside two minutes, the interception three plays later ended the Bulldogs’ chances.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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