Zach Arnett and the Mississippi State defense deserved better.
MSU seemingly took a time machine and wound the clock back two years to 2018, boasting a stout defense that was let down by a very anemic offense.
Two years ago, the Bulldogs lost a 28-7 contest in Lexington, and Saturday was somehow worse after a 24-2 defeat.
All the momentum from Week One is gone. There are now some very valid concerns about the Bulldogs three weeks in. But that doesn’t mean Mike Leach’s system can’t work at MSU, or won’t work after a few recruiting classes.
Time will tell.
As always, for those that are new to Bulldog Bullets, The Commercial Dispatch will bring you an instant reaction blog of Mississippi State football games posted immediately after the final gun filled with short observations and commentary.
To the Bulldog Bullets:
– Saturday was the lowest amount of points a Leach-coached team had ever scored. Leach has been held to three points three times in his coaching career, and he would have been shut out if it weren’t for a ridiculous snap on a punt.
– I know most fans were aghast it took Leach so long to bench K.J. Costello, but I kind of understand why he didn’t. Costello is only two weeks removed from throwing for an absurd amount of passing yards, while his backup and eventual replacement was a true freshman that was making his first appearance on the road after not being available for the first two weeks of the season. But let’s call a spade a spade: Costello has been dreadful since the LSU upset, and Leach had to try something different. The problem was, Will Rogers didn’t look much better, so MSU may be forced to stay with Costello going forward for better or worse.
– The third straight game with a pick-six for Costello. You have to give him this: he’s consistent.
In the first 12 quarters of MSU’s season, it committed 14 turnovers. Yikes. Both first half turnovers on Saturday were in the red zone.
– Let’s talk about third down efficiency for just a minute: 3-of-17. You’ll lose that game 99 of 100 times.
– What will be lost in the defeat is how well the Bulldog defense played. Kentucky quarterback Terry Wilson never looked comfortable all night, and a prominent rushing attack was held in check.
– A typical MSU offensive play in the first half: defense drops eight players into coverage. Costello settles for a pass to a running back in the flats. He gains three yards. Not very thrilling, or effective.
– Besides the defense, Tucker Day played a huge role in keeping MSU in the game.
– MSU kicker Brandon Ruiz said his range was about 55 yards. Guess Leach shouldn’t have attempted a 56-yarder, then. I kid, I kid.
– K.J. Costello halftime stats: 26-of-36, 173 yards, two red zone interceptions, a paltry 4.8 yards per attempt. For context, Kansas averages 4.8 yards per attempt this season.
– Fourth-and-1 on your own 34 and the play call is… throw it deep to tightly covered receiver? SEC Network analysts speculated Costello thought he had a free play, but obviously he didn’t. Will be interesting to hear what Leach says about that.
– Fred Peters bailed out the offense for that fourth down fiasco by forcing a fumble on the next drive, though.
– Always good to get flagged for an illegal forward pass on third-and-5 about two and a half yards past the line of scrimmage.
– That botched punt by Kentucky was … something.
– Crazy stat of the day: MSU had five straight possessions in the red zone, with a combined total of zero points. How does that happen?
– Texas A&M, Mississippi State’s next opponent, picked up a massive upset win over Florida in College Station Saturday. The Aggies will be coming into Starkville with a ton of confidence.
Hodge is the former sports editor for The Dispatch.
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