Mississippi State Bulldogs
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2008
MSU Season
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2008 MSU Preview
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2007 MSU Season
2008 Schedule
CFN Prediction: 6-6
2008 Record: 4-8
Aug.
30 at La Tech L
22-14
Sept. 6 SE Louisiana
W 34-10
Sept. 13 Auburn L
3-2
Sept. 20 at Georgia Tech L 38-7
Sept. 27 at LSU L 34-24
Oct. 4 OPEN DATE
Oct. 11 Vanderbilt
W 17-14
Oct. 18 at Tennessee L 34-3
Oct. 25 Middle Tenn
W 31-22
Nov. 1 Kentucky L
14-13
Nov. 8 OPEN DATE
Nov. 15 at Alabama L 32-7
Nov. 22 Arkansas W 31-28
Nov. 28 at Ole Miss L 45-0 |
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2007 Schedule
CFN Prediction: 3-9
2007 Record:
8-5
Aug.
30 LSU
L 45-0
Sept. 8
at Tulane
W 38-17
Sept. 15 at
Auburn W 19-14
Sept. 22
Gardner-Webb
W 31-14
Sept. 29 at So Carolina L 38-21
Oct.
6
UAB
W 30-13
Oct.
13
Tennessee L 33-21
Oct.
20 at
West Virginia L 38-13
Oct.
27 at
Kentucky W 31-14
Nov.
10
Alabama W 17-12
Nov.
17 at
Arkansas L 45-31
Nov.
24 Ole
Miss W 17-14
Liberty Bowl
Dec. 29 UCF W 10-3 |
2009
Recruiting Class
Five Best Prospects
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1. Pernell McPhee |
DE |
6-4 |
270 |
Fulton, MS |
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2. Montrell Conner |
RB |
6-2 |
210 |
Monroe, LA |
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3. Fletcher Cox |
DE |
6-4 |
240 |
Yazoo City, MS |
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4. Chad Bumphis |
WR |
5-11 |
185 |
Tupelo, MS |
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5. Josh Boyd |
DT |
6-3 |
275 |
Philadelphia, MS |
Rest Of
The Class
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Johnthan Banks |
WR |
6-3 |
180 |
Maben, MS |
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Leon Berry |
WR |
6-1 |
185 |
Scooba, MS |
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Sean Brauchle |
K |
5-9 |
180 |
Perkinston, MS |
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Billy Hamilton |
WR |
6-1 |
165 |
Taylorsville, MS |
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Brandon Heavens |
WR |
5-10 |
165 |
Bessemer, AL |
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Mardrecas Hood |
WR |
6-3 |
180 |
Reform, AL |
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Heath Hutchins |
K |
6-3 |
215 |
Fulton, MS |
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Gabriel Jackson |
OL |
6-4 |
310 |
Liberty, MS |
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Maurice Langston |
DB |
5-11 |
195 |
Decatur, MS |
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Cameron Lawrence |
DB |
6-2 |
202 |
Senatobia, MS |
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Johnathan McKenzie |
DE |
6-5 |
240 |
Starkville, MS |
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LaDarius Perkins |
RB |
5-9 |
180 |
Greenville, MS |
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Tyler Russell |
QB |
6-4 |
200 |
Meridian, MS |
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Ricco Sanders |
WR |
5-11 |
180 |
Duncan, SC |
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William Shumpert |
RB |
6-0 |
235 |
Fulton, MS |
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Deontae Skinner |
LB |
6-2 |
230 |
Macon, MS |
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Darius Slay |
WR |
6-1 |
180 |
Brunswick, GA |
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Chris Smith |
WR |
6-1 |
195 |
Meridian, MS |
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Dennis Thames |
DB |
5-11 |
185 |
Louisville, MS |
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Sam Watts |
OL |
6-5 |
300 |
Conyers, GA |
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Chris White |
LB |
6-4 |
235 |
Perkinston, MS |
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Nickoe Whitley |
DB |
6-1 |
190 |
Jackson, MS |
Nov. 28
Ole Miss 45 …
Mississippi State 0
Ole Miss dominated throughout with 11 sacks, limiting MSU to -51 net yards
rushing, and getting four touchdown passes from Jevan Snead in the blowout.
Dexter McCluster started out the scoring with a 36 touchdown run on the opening
drive to open the floodgates in a 24-point first quarter. Snead connected with
Mike Wallace from 17 and 72 yards out, and with Shay Hodge on a 10-yard
touchdown for a 31-0 halftime lead. Ole Miss outgained MSU 461 yards to 37.
Player of the game:
Ole Miss defensive linemen Peria Jerry and Greg Hardy
combined for five sacks, seven tackles for loss, and nine tackles
Stat Leaders: Mississippi State - Passing: Tyson Lee, 5-9,
49 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Anthony Dixon, 8-17. Receiving: Jamayel Smith, 2-23
Ole Miss - Passing: Jevan Snead, 14-19, 213 yds, 4 TD, 1
INT
Rushing: Dexter McCluster, 9-68, 1 TD. Receiving: Shay Hodge,
7-89, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... MSU was looking at the Egg
Bowl as a chance to make a statement going into the off-season, but instead it
left with far more questions. Will the offensive line be able to improve over
the next nine months? Can the defense get back to its ball-hawkish ways? With
everyone in the SEC improving or already strong, is MSU destined to be in the
basement over the next few years? The blasting by Ole Miss showed nothing to
suggest that things are getting any better, and it showed just how far the
program has to go before getting back into the hunt for bowl games, forgetting
about the West title.
Nov. 28
Ole Miss 45 …
Mississippi State 0
Ole Miss dominated throughout with 11 sacks, limiting MSU to -51 net yards
rushing, and getting four touchdown passes from Jevan Snead in the blowout.
Dexter McCluster started out the scoring with a 36 touchdown run on the opening
drive to open the floodgates in a 24-point first quarter. Snead connected with
Mike Wallace from 17 and 72 yards out, and with Shay Hodge on a 10-yard
touchdown for a 31-0 halftime lead. Ole Miss outgained MSU 461 yards to 37.
Player of the game:
Ole Miss defensive linemen Peria Jerry and Greg Hardy
combined for five sacks, seven tackles for loss, and nine tackles
Stat Leaders: Mississippi State - Passing: Tyson Lee, 5-9,
49 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Anthony Dixon, 8-17. Receiving: Jamayel Smith, 2-23
Ole Miss - Passing: Jevan Snead, 14-19, 213 yds, 4 TD, 1
INT
Rushing: Dexter McCluster, 9-68, 1 TD. Receiving: Shay Hodge,
7-89, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... MSU was looking at the Egg
Bowl as a chance to make a statement going into the off-season, but instead it
left with far more questions. Will the offensive line be able to improve over
the next nine months? Can the defense get back to its ball-hawkish ways? With
everyone in the SEC improving or already strong, is MSU destined to be in the
basement over the next few years? The blasting by Ole Miss showed nothing to
suggest that things are getting any better, and it showed just how far the
program has to go before getting back into the hunt for bowl games, forgetting
about the West title.
Nov. 22
Mississippi State 31
… Arkansas 28
Mississippi State got a huge day out of Anthony Dixon and the running game as he
scored three times including a 63 yarder late in the third quarter. Arkansas was
able to stay close on the arm of Nathan Dick, who connected with Lucas Miller
for an 87-yard touchdown and finished with three touchdown passes. But the
Bulldogs were able to hang on late as Dick hit Ben Cleveland for a one-yard
touchdown with 25 seconds to play to pull within three, but the Hogs couldn’t
get any closer.
Player of the game:
Mississippi State RB Anthony Dixon ran 23 times for
179 yards and a touchdown, and he caught five passes for 32 yards and two scores
Stat Leaders: Arkansas - Passing: Nathan Dick, 25-43, 333
yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Michael Smith, 14-60, 1 TD. Receiving: D.J. Williams,
5-59, 1 TD
Mississippi State - Passing: Tyson Lee, 23-40, 219 yds, 2
TD
Rushing: Anthony Dixon, 23-179, 1 TD. Receiving: Jamayel Smith,
6-64
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Is that really a
living, breathing offense Mississippi State is showing off? Tyson Lee went the
whole way at quarterback against Arkansas, even though there was talk of a
rotation, and there was a nearly perfect balance on offense. With 219 passing
yards and 226 on the ground, the Bulldogs did whatever they wanted to against
the struggling Hog defense. While there won’t be a bowl game this year, the
spark of life the team is showing should do wonders going forward. A win over
Ole Miss would be even bigger.
Nov. 15
Alabama 32 …
Mississippi State 7
The Tide jumped out to an early 5-0 lead helped by a blocked punt for a safety,
but MSU threw a scare into the No. 1 team with a 31-yard touchdown catch from
Jamayel Smith early in the second quarter. The Tide scored 27 unanswered points,
but it took a while to put the Bulldogs away as Leigh Tiffin finished with three
field goals and John Parker Wilson and Mark Ingram each ran for one-yard scores.
Up 12-7, Bama all but put the game out of reach early in the second half on a
80-yard punt return for a score from Javier Arenas. MSU gained 167 yards of
total offense with nine first downs.
Player of the game:
Alabama S Rolando McClain made 11 tackles with two
sacks and a broken up pass
Stat Leaders: Mississippi State - Passing: Tyson Lee,
11-28, 132 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Anthony Dixon, 11-26. Receiving: Anthony Dixon, 4-32
Alabama - Passing: John Parker Wilson, 10-17, 148 yds
Rushing: Mark Ingram, 13-78, 1 TD. Receiving: Julio Jones, 3-53
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... MSU did what it
could do against the No. 1 team in the country, but there weren’t the necessary
takeaways and the offense could only come up with one big play to try to keep
pace. There was nothing in the bag of tricks offensively in the second half; the
line simply didn’t get any push for the running game. The special teams
breakdowns were the last straw with nine points coming off problems with the
punting game. The bowl game is gone, but now it’ll take wins at Arkansas and Ole
Miss to keep the final tally from being ugly. 5-7 isn’t awful, but 3-9 might
mean a major hot seat for Sylvester Croom.
Nov. 1
Kentucky 14 …
Mississippi State 13
Mississippi State got a 10-yard Arnil Stallworth touchdown catch early in the
fourth quarter to pull within one, but the extra point was blocked. The Bulldogs
had a few more chances, but Adam Carlson missed a field goal and QB Tyson Lee
was intercepted to give Kentucky the win. The Wildcats got all their points in
the third quarter on a five-yard Randall Cobb run and a three-yard catch from
Maurice Grinter, and then the defense did the rest.
Player of the game:
Kentucky CB Trevard Lindley made seven tackles with a
tackle for loss
Stat Leaders: Mississippi State - Passing: Tyson Lee,
26-42, 261 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Anthony Dixon, 15-48. Receiving: Arnil Stallworth, 8-71,
1 TD
Kentucky - Passing: Mike Hartline, 9-17, 90 yds
Rushing: Tony Dixon, 12-66. Receiving: Randall Cobb, 3-33
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... MSU just isn’t
getting much in the way of offensive luck. The passing game wasn’t bad against
Kentucky, there were yards late, but the running game never got going on a
strong defensive front that, when healthy, is playing among the best teams in
the SEC. The Bulldogs need Anthony Dixon to be effective, and it didn’t happen
with the UK defense keying on him from the start. MSU isn’t going to win many
games when Tyson Lee is throwing it 42 times.
Oct. 25
Mississippi State 31 …
Middle Tennessee 22
Middle Tennessee took the lead early in the third quarter on a 23-yard Alan
Gendreau field goal to cap a 13-point run highlighted by an Eldred King 14-yard
touchdown catch, but then it was all Mississippi State as Tyson Lee and Anthony
Dixon each ran for short scores to put the game out of reach. Middle Tennessee
made it interesting with a one-yard Phillip Tanner scoring run, but the two
point conversion attempt failed and MSU was never threatened again. Dixon
finished with three rushing scores with a 62-yarder in the first quarter.
Player of the game:
Mississippi State RB Anthony Dixon ran 27 times for
126 yards and three touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Middle Tennessee - Passing: Joe Craddock,
23-40, 235 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Phillip Tanner, 8-29, 1 TD. Receiving: Eldred King,
11-164, 1 TD
Mississippi State - Passing: Tyson Lee, 17-25, 197 yds
Rushing: Anthony Dixon, 27-126, 3 TD. Receiving: Arnil Stallworth,
4-60
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The offense moved
the ball on a good Mississippi State defense, but once again, the running game
struggled and the passing attack had to pick up the slack. Joe Craddock tried to
bomb away to keep the team in the game, and he got close late, but the defense
had too many problems holding up on a big Bulldog run. With a week off, the team
needs to try to erase the recent three-game losing streak and finish up strong
with winnable games against UL Monroe and Western Kentucky up next.
Oct. 18
Tennessee 34 …
Mississippi State 3
The two sputtering offenses traded field goals in the first half with Tennessee
holding a 6-3 lead into the locker room, and then the defense took over. The
Vols went on a 53-yard drive finishing with a one-yard Montario Hardesty run in
the third quarter, and then in a span of less than two minutes, Eric Berry
returned an interception 72 yards for a touchdown and Demetrice Morley took a
pick 32 yards for a score. Tennessee outgained MSU 275 yards to 189.
Player of the game:
Tennessee DB Eric Berry made 10 tackles, a sack, two
broken up passes and took an interception 72 yards for a score
Stat Leaders: Mississippi State - Passing: Tyson Lee,
12-23, 114 yds, 3 INT
Rushing: Anthony Dixon, 15-46. Receiving: Anthony Dixon, 3-27
Tennessee - Passing: Nick Stephens, 10-20, 136 yds
Rushing: Lennon Creer, 17-68, 1 TD. Receiving: Austin Rogers &
Lucas Taylor, 2-23
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... After the win over
Vanderbilt, the Bulldogs failed to capitalize on the momentum against a
struggling Tennessee team and are now in huge trouble. The offense did nothing
against the Vols, and worse yet, made a few huge mistakes to blow the game open
the other way. Unable to score, and with Kentucky and Alabama on the horizon
after a date with Middle Tennessee, the Bulldog offense has to find something
that works in a real hurry. The defense can only do so much.
Oct. 11
Mississippi
State 17 …. Vanderbilt 14
Mississippi State held Vanderbilt to just 107 yards of total offense, but the
Commodores were able to score on two short runs, one from Chris Nickson and one
from Jeff Jennings, to stay alive. The Bulldog offense wasn’t sharp, but behind
the running of Anthony Dixon, a four-yard Brandon Henderson touchdown catch, and
a three-yard Christian Ducre scoring run MS held a 17-7 lead late in the game.
And then it was up to the D that allowed the Commodores to convert just one of
ten third down chances.
Player of the game:
Mississippi State RB Anthony Dixon ran 27 times for
107 yards
Stat Leaders: Vanderbilt - Passing: Mackenzi Adams, 5-9, 47
yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Jeff Jennings, 4-15 & Sean Walker, 2-15, 1 TD. Receiving:
Sean Walker, 2-27
Mississippi State - Passing: Tyson Lee, 12-22, 81 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Anthony Dixon, 27-107. Receiving: Brandon McRae, 5-39
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... MSU got right back
in the hunt for a bowl game with a dominant defensive performance against
Vanderbilt. It might have only been a 17-14 win, but it was exactly how the
formula is supposed to work with few offensive mistakes, a good running game,
and great D. It would’ve been nice if QB Tyson Lee had done more, but he didn’t
have to with Anthony Dixon running so well. If the Bulldogs can beat a
struggling Tennessee, and with winnable home games against Middle Tennessee and
Kentucky to follow, there’s a chance for a big turnaround.
Sept.
27
LSU
34 ... Mississippi State 24
LSU got up 17-3 helped by two one-yard Charles Scott touchdown runs, but
Mississippi State made it a fight with short touchdown runs from Christian Ducre
and Anthony Dixon. The Tigers finally put it away with a 43-yard Demetrius Byrd
touchdown catch in the final five minutes. Ducre caught an 11-yard touchdown
pass late, but the Bulldogs couldn't get any closer.
Player of the game: LSU RB Charles Scott ran 27 times for 141 yards and two
touchdowns.
Stat Leaders: Mississippi State - Passing: Tyson Lee, 17-26,
175 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Anthony Dixon, 15-50, 1 TD. Receiving:
Christian Ducre, 4-34, 1 TD
LSU
- Passing:
Jarrett Lee, 18-27, 261 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Charles Scott, 27-141, 2 TD. Receiving: Brandon LaFell,
7-100
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Mississippi State is past
the point of enjoying moral victories, but it battled well in the loss at LSU.
The supposedly impenetrable Tiger defense had a hard time with Tyson Lee and
gave up a few runs. Lee didn't make any mistakes, but he wasn't able to push the
ball deep to open things up. Penalties were a problem, committing ten for 90
yards, while keeping the chains moving was an issue. However, the offensive line
did a decent job and the defense got LSU off the field enough to stay alive. Now
comes the week off before a must-win against Vanderbilt.
Sept. 20
Georgia Tech
38 ... Mississippi State 7
Georgia Tech ripped off 438 rushing yards with Jonathan Dwyer
tearing off an 88-yard touchdown dash, Jaybo Shaw added a 25-yarder
and Greg Smith ran for a 45-yard score on the way to a 38-0 lead
taken midway into the fourth quarter. Mississippi State was done in
by four turnovers, no running game, and missed tackles as the
defense never figured out the Yellow Jacket option. The Bulldog
points came on a six-yard Robert Elliott run in with just over eight
minutes to play.
Player of the game:
Georgia Tech RB Jonathan Dwyer ran nine times for 141 yards and a
touchdown, catching a pass for 20 yards.
Stat Leaders: Mississippi State - Passing: Tyson
Lee, 17-27, 179 yds
Rushing: Anthony Dixon, 13-94. Receiving: Brandon
McRae, 10-102
Georgia Tech - Passing: Jaybo Shaw, 3-7, 43 yds, 1
TD
Rushing: Jonathan Dwyer, 9-141, 1 TD. Receiving:
Demaryius Thomas, 2-23, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The running game
continues to be a major issue, but to be fair, no one's going to do
much against Auburn and Georgia Tech. However, the big concern has
to be the way the MSU defensive front was blown off the ball by the
Georgia Tech offensive front. With LSU up next, and its fantastic
offensive line among the best in America, MSU has some serious work
to do or else the season will start 1-4. The passing game has to
push the ball better down the field, and Anthony Dixon, who had a
nice game against the Yellow jackets, needs more room.
Sept. 13
Auburn 3 … Mississippi State 2
Auburn got a two-run double in the top of the seventh inning to … oh
yeah, football. Wes Byrum kicked a 35-yard field goal and the Tiger
defense held Mississippi State to 116 yards of total offense in the
defensive slugfest. The Bulldogs blew their only offensive scoring
chance when Adam Carson missed a field goal, and got their only
points midway through the fourth quarter when Auburn’s Ryan Pugh got
called for a holding penalty in the end zone. Auburn amassed 315
yards of total offense, but committed 12 penalties and three
turnovers.
Player of the game: Auburn P Clinton Durst averaged 43.6 yards
per kick on seven punts with three put inside the 20.
Stat Leaders: Auburn - Passing: Chris Todd, 14-26,
154 yds
Rushing: Ben Tate, 20-92. Receiving: Montez Billings, 3-68
Mississippi State
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Passing: Wesley Carroll, 10-25, 78 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Christian Ducre, 16-49. Receiving: Co-Eric
Riley, 3-26
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... MSU has
to get the ground game going. Auburn might have the most effective
run defense in America, but if MSU has any hope of making any noise
in the SEC West it’ll have to get running. Wesley Carroll and the
passing attack aren’t going to beat anyone, so if Anthony Dixon, who
ran for five yards on seven carries, and Christian Ducre, who ran 16
times for 49 yards, aren’t effective, the Bulldogs don’t have much
of a chance against the good teams. 78 yards passing and 38 yards
rushing isn’t going to get it done.
Sept. 6
Mississippi
State 34 … SE Louisiana 10
MSU
played like the MSU of last year holding SE Louisiana to eight first
downs and 148 yards while the Bulldog offense rolled for 401 yards
with Wesley Carroll throwing for two scores and Anthony Dixon
running for two touchdowns. The Lions, who committed 12 penalties,
scored first on a 46-yard Jeff Turner field goal but MSU rolled with
a 34-point run to put the game away. Nine different Bulldogs ran the
ball.
Player of the game: Mississippi State QB Wesley Carroll
completed 15-of-23 passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns and ran
three times for 26 yards
Stat Leaders: Northwestern State - Passing:
Tyler Beatty, 4-10, 97 yds
Rushing: Jay Lucas, 9-21 Receiving: DeMario Simmons,
1-70
Mississippi State - Passing: Wesley Carroll,
15-23, 158 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Anthony Dixon, 18-80, 2 TD. Receiving:
Brandon McRae, 8-72, 1 TD
Whoopty
doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ...
After screwing up against Louisiana Tech, MSU came back with
a nice performance against SE Louisiana with Wesley Carroll taking
back the quarterback reins. While he’ll still have to prove he can
be consistent against a good team, for one week he was the main man
with an efficient, solid effort in the easy win. It helps when the
running game is working as the Bulldogs cranked out 216 yards while
the defense held the Lions to just 1.2 yards per carry.
Aug. 30
Louisiana Tech 22 ...
Mississippi State 14
Mississippi State turned the ball over three times in the third
quarter and five overall as Louisiana Tech shut out the Bulldogs in
the second half. Patrick Jackson scored two six-yard touchdowns, one
on a pass and one on a run, and Brad Oestriecher nailed three field
goals including bombs from 48 and 50 yards away. MSU came up with
three takeaways of its own and had a 14-3 lead on an eight-yard
Brandon McRae touchdown catch and a one-yard Brandon Hart run, but
the offense sputtered the rest of the way with turnovers and
penalties killing drives time and again.
Player of the game:
Louisiana Tech FS Antonio Baker made ten
tackles and an interception
Stat Leaders: Louisiana Tech - Passing: Taylor Bennett,
14-40, 175 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Patrick Jackson, 17-62, 1 TD. Receiving: Phillip Livas,
6-85
Mississippi State - Passing: Wesley Carroll,
12-25, 172 yds, 1 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Anthony Dixon, 18-91. Receiving: Aubrey Bell, 6-67
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The Louisiana Tech
game was supposed to be a beartrap, and it was because the offense
kept giving it away. La Tech had a lot to do with that, but MSU
can't screw up and make mistakes and win. It's game is to force
turnovers, which it did, and for the offense to take advantage of
every opportunity, and that didn't happen. Now the Bulldogs have to
regroup against SE Louisiana, do a better job in ball security, and
gear up for Auburn in two weeks. To have any hope of succeeding in
the SEC, the ground game has to be far better.
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