STARKVILLE — As a light drizzle coated Davis Wade Stadium on Saturday night, an even lighter crowd of a generously estimated 54,638 fans looked on as Mississippi State (5-6, 2-5 SEC) downed FCS foe Abilene Christian (5-7, 4-5 Southland) 45-7.
In a contest MSU reportedly paid its opponent $500,000 to play according to USA Today’s database of 2019 guaranteed payout games, the Bulldogs got their money’s worth in Saturday’s sluggish affair.
After a spattering of boos greeted Moorhead’s introduction on the south end zone big screen, they persisted as the Bulldogs picked up just three first downs on their opening two drives — both of which resulted in punts.
With a litany of irritated cowbell clanks echoing around the stadium, quarterback Tommy Stevens perpetuated the problems by completing just one of his first seven passes for one yard.
“It starts with me,” Stevens said. “Some throws that I could’ve put in better places for guys to make plays on, and ultimately I’ve got to give our guys a chance to make a play. So I’ll take the blame on that one.”
While the Bulldogs sleepwalked out of the gate, Stevens brought some life to the limited crowd when he delivered an 11-yard strike to senior receiver Deddrick Thomas on a crossing route just three minutes into the second quarter.
One possession later, the former Penn State signal caller hit junior running back Kylin Hill for an 88-yard touchdown pass on a run-pass option — marking the third-longest passing score in program history.
“I just saw daylight and had to run,” Hill said. “I was looking at the big screen to see how far away (the defender) was, and I had to pick it up and keep it going.”
As the MSU passing attack opened the floodgates Saturday, it was the Bulldog ground game that finished the middling effort Saturday night.
Hill — who was bottled by the Alabama defense for a meager 35 yards on 16 carries a week ago — topped the 100-yard mark for the seventh time this season with a 16-carry, 153-yard performance. He now sits as the lone SEC running back over 1,100 yards on the year.
“Teams previously would stack the box so I couldn’t be back there making too many moves,” Hill said of how he’s adjusted his running style. “I’ve just got to be decisive, see the hole and hit it.”
Stevens and senior running back Nick Gibson also aided in the ground effort — combining for 141 yards and two touchdowns on the night — while backup freshman quarterback Garrett Shrader added another 65 yards in the waning moments of the fourth quarter.
“I definitely think it helps to be able to give the defense something else to look for and to worry about,” Stevens said. “It’s definitely something that helps the offense but we’re going to continue to do that moving forward.”
Defensively, it was another middling effort for Bob Shoop’s unit. Sans senior defensive tackle Lee Autry and junior linebacker Willie Gay Jr. — both of whom were suspended for violating team rules — the Bulldogs allowed seven pass plays of 15 or more yards to a team that notched just five last week against Lamar.
Now sitting at 5-6, the Bulldogs are a win away from bowl eligibility as in-state rival Ole Miss comes to town Thursday. Having won six of the past 10 Egg Bowls and five of the past seven played in Starkville, MSU should march into the Thanksgiving Day matchup as the perceived favorites.
And though Moorhead remains just a year-plus into his coaching, he’s well aware of Thursday’s implications.
“I’m an English major, not a math guy,” he said. “But I know you’ve got to get to five before you can get to six so, at the end of the day, pleased with the win and ready to move forward for Egg Bowl week.”
Dawg notes
Senior linemen Tommy Champion, Michael Story and junior Greg Eiland were among those MSU players suspended for violating team rules. No further explanation was given as to why they were held out, but Moorhead said each was to be docked just one game suspensions.
Moorhead said postgame he’s hopeful junior linebacker Erroll Thompson and junior cornerback Cam Dantzler will play against Ole Miss. Thompson left the game in the first quarter and did not return, while Dantlzer did not suit up at all.
Ben Portnoy reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @bportnoy15.
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