STARKVILLE — The data set from the most recent failure is representative of the ones that came before it. Mississippi State’s 2.4 yards per pass attempt in the loss to LSU isn’t all that far removed from the 3.7 over the four Southeastern Conference games to date; the 33.3 percent completion rate against LSU dropped that against all conference foes to 44.4 percent.
Head coach Joe Moorhead is not sugarcoating the facts.
“Moved the ball well on the ground, but lacked any semblance of consistency or effectiveness in the pass game and certainly can’t turn the ball over four times,” he said.
MSU’s passing woes are the reason the Bulldogs are now out of the top 25 at 4-3, 1-3 in conference play. It is also under the microscope as MSU tries to right the ship 6 p.m. (ESPN) against No. 16 Texas A&M (5-2, 3-1 SEC). One option is going to be discussed more than others in the public realm, but it is being discussed inside the program, as well.
“We have discussed in the offensive staff room not making a change,” MSU coach Joe Moorhead said, “but during the first half and the second half giving KT the opportunity to start a drive for two reasons: as a change of pace to give him an opportunity because he’s a talented player, and secondly to take some of the physical wear and tear off Nick who has 121 carries in six games.
“For the struggles that Nick has had throwing the football, I kind of have to credit him with the amount of times he’s rushed the ball and what’s he’s done for us to create yards and create points. Obviously, our struggles in the pass game are apparent.”
Moorhead pointed out that MSU’s passing deficiencies are not quarterback-exclusive. He views effective passing as needing pass protection, excellent route-running, catching, quarterback decision-making and accuracy to all come together, and he hasn’t seen those elements come to pass simultaneously.
He admitted on three of the four interceptions against LSU, the ball was late; he also called on wide receivers to get more separation. Earlier in the season, he pointed out pass protection in the middle of the line was more advanced than that on the edges.
But Moorhead is a former quarterback. He knows the position garners all of the attention — even in times when it doesn’t deserve it. He also knows something has to change for the passing attack to be what it needs to be.
“Right now, we’re one-dimensional. We’re running the ball very well and we need to find a way to create more explosive plays in addition to the ones we’re doing in the run game with the pass game,” Moorhead said. “Unless you’re a triple option offense, it’s incredibly difficult to call runs all the way down the field and expect to sustain that effectiveness throughout the course of a game.”
Field position woes
MSU’s average offensive field position is in between the 26- and 27-yard lines; it ranks 120th in the nation. MSU’s average defensive field position is nearly the 33-yard line; it also ranks 120th in the nation.
With an offense struggling as its is, MSU needs to have an advantage in the field position that it has not obtained.
“Punting for and punting against has been a big part of it,” Moorhead said. “Certainly the offense extending drives so when we do punt, we’re punting from a distance that we’re closer to the opponent’s goal line. The defense has been doing a good job of creating more three-and-outs.
“All of it kind of ties together, but a lot of it right now is we’re getting out-punted.”
Injury update
MSU has four players that are day-to-day with minor injuries: running back Kylin Hill (lower body), wide receiver Keith Mixon (lower body), right tackle Stewart Reese (lower body) and defensive back Brian Cole (upper body).
Moorhead said Hill’s lower-body injury suffered in the LSU game had an impact on his usage, ending that game with eight carries. If he were fully healthy and MSU wasn’t down multiple possessions in the second half, Hill could have gotten more work.
Moorhead said Cole did not play against LSU because he did not progress on his upper body injury the way they hoped.
Another night game
Several Week 10 kickoff times remain up in the air as CBS awaits the result of the Florida-Georgia game, but MSU knows it will be playing at night.
MSU’s game against Louisiana Tech will be at 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network. All of MSU’s home games have been at night thus far.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brett Hudson on Twitter @Brett_Hudson
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