STARKVILLE — Well, $21 million reasons might have saved Gus Malzahn’s job even if Auburn lost to Mississippi State Saturday.
But an MSU offensive performance that inspired nobody made damn sure to preserve the oft-maligned Tigers’ coach in a 24-10 loss at Davis Wade Stadium.
Considering Bo Nix and Auburn’s offense were putrid for three quarters, MSU players will wake up tomorrow thinking what could have been for a third straight game. Instead, the Bulldogs will try to salvage their season finale against Missouri.
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:
— A senior day when there’s one more home game left. Odd, but not even in the top 100 things out of place in 2020.
— This game had more chippiness to it than the Egg Bowl. With the amount of dumb penalties from both sides, there’s going to be a lot of unhappy coaches doing film breakdown tomorrow.
— Both teams offensively in the first half: 2 of 15 on third down combined. A paltry 78 total yards for MSU with 2.8 yards per play. Three combined field goals. Yuck. At least the score wasn’t 3-2.
— Let’s start with Auburn. I think I understand the fans’ angst over Malzahn now because good lord Auburn’s offense was a mess. We’ve got running backs running into receivers when the guard is pulling, Bo Nix scrambling for his life every play because the offensive line can’t block anybody, and so much misdirection it almost looks like the offense itself is confused.
— MSU’s offense wasn’t any better. Auburn defensive backs shut down almost every attempted checkdown to the running back, Geor’quarius Spivey dropped what could have been a touchdown pass, and the offensive line consistently faltered in pass protection.
— Nix did not complete a single pass in the third quarter. He missed wide open receivers left and right. He finished 15 of 32 for 125 yards. His performance was begging the Bulldogs to beat the Tigers, and they couldn’t do it.
— If Auburn wasn’t called for targeting after that hit on Jo’quavious Marks, I don’t know what targeting is anymore.
— MSU didn’t get a single first down until a minute left in the first quarter.
— For as much heat as the secondary has taken most of the season, MSU’s defensive backs showed up for most of Saturday.
— A nice season continues for wide receiver Jaden Walley, who broke a single season MSU record for most receiving yards in a freshman season (562 and counting). The previous record was held by Mardye McDole, who had 510 yards in 1977.
— Mike Leach burned a timeout early in the third quarter only to miss a field goal.
— I actually liked the blitz call from Zach Arnett on what was eventually Auburn’s touchdown to Seth Williams on third-and-long. At that point, the score was 9-3 with the Tigers on the edge of field goal range. Nix hadn’t demonstrated any ability to convert deep passes accurately, and the defense had gotten consistent pressure on the Auburn signal caller all night. Just didn’t work out.
— Tank Bigsby saved Auburn. The running back thrashed MSU’s defense for 192 yards on 26 carries.
— Marquiss Spencer sure spent a long time laying on the field following his injury. Ten MSU staffers surrounded him. Both MSU and Auburn players took a knee on the field as an eerie silence hushed Davis Wade. Eventually, he had to be carried off on a backboard. Sure hope everything is alright there.
— And then of all things, Spencer, the player lying motionless on the field for an uncomfortable amount of time, was called for targeting on that play. What can you do?
Hodge is the former sports editor for The Dispatch.
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