STARKVILLE — Richie Brown needed time to himself to go through his emotions last Sunday.
The Mississippi State senior linebacker had to process losing the season opener South Alabama. It was something he never imagined was going to happen. The offense had its struggles, so did the defense.
The defensive performance didn’t sit well with Brown, and it challenged him, his teammates, and his coaches to do a better of job. As he thinks back on the 21-20 loss, it isn’t all that bad.
“It was kind of wake-up call for us,” Brown said. “I think we kind of transformed this week in how we practiced and how we prepared.”
MSU’s defense played better Saturday and was able to protect a halftime lead en route to a 27-14 victory against South Carolina at Davis Wade Stadium.
MSU (1-1, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) gave up 243 yards of offense (34 rushing, 209 passing). South Carolina managed 90 yards of offense in the first half (7 rushing, 83 passing). The Bulldogs did it with a dominating defensive effort, but they did that last week.
Against South Carolina, the first-half performance was a statement.
“There was a lot more intensity, guys were running around and playing with enthusiasm,” Brown said. “I don’t think guys were waiting for other people to make plays. I think guys were actually going out there and making plays and not being afraid to be the playmaker.”
Brown led MSU with 10 tackles (two for loss) and a sack.
Sophomore cornerback Jamal Peters, who has been playing the position for two weeks, had an interception. Freshman defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons forced a fumble and Johnathan Calvin recovered it. MSU didn’t convert either turnover into points, but the takeaways were a big positive.
The Bulldogs gave up two touchdowns in the second half. Freshman quarterback Brandon McIlwain hit A.J. Turner for an 18-yard touchdown on third-and-12 with five seconds remaining in the third quarter. He then found K.C. Crosby for a 4-yard touchdown with 2 minutes, 37 seconds remaining in the game.
MSU senior defensive lineman A.J. Jefferson said he was surprised South Carolina (1-1, 1-1) didn’t play McIlwain in the first half. Senior Perry Orth played the first half, but McIlwain played the second half.
Although McIlwain led two scoring drives, Jefferson liked the adjustments they made on the young quarterback. McIlwain was 11 of 22 for 126 yards and two touchdowns. He had 17 yards rushing on 11 carries.
Jefferson, who had five tackles (two for loss), one sack, and one quarterback hurry, said the defense made a lot of progress.
“It wasn’t a matter of if we were good enough, it was a matter of putting it into young guys’ heads we were going to go hard every single play,” Jefferson said.
Under first-year defensive coordinator Peter Sirmon, there was bound to be a learning curve. The Bulldogs also added three other defensive coaches.
After the victory, Sirmon hugged all his defensive players and told them they did a good job. That stuck out to Jefferson, who said that was happening during the game, too.
“It means a lot to know he’s invested in his players,” Jefferson said. “Yes, it’s his job and he wants to keep a job and he wants to win, but I see coach Sirmon as being more of a players’ coach. I feel like he cares more about us.”
The Bulldogs gave up 153 yards in the second half. Like last week, there were times when the defense didn’t play with the same intensity and fire it did in the first half. MSU coach Dan Mullen said the defense is still a work in progress, but he liked the willingness he saw.
“Giving up some pass plays here and there, we’ve got to be a little bit sounder on the back end and make sure we’re putting guys in the right direction to make plays. We’ve got to do a better job of getting off the field,” Mullen said.
The two games have shown the MSU defense it can be good and can get beat. MSU will play at 6 p.m. Saturday at No. 21 LSU. ESPN2 will broadcast the game live. Brown hopes the defense that showed up against the Gamecocks, shows up against the Tigers.
“It was a blessing in disguise to prepare for teams like this that we need to be prepared for,” Brown said.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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