Mullen, MSU will try to find answers during bye week

AUBURN, Ala. — Given the task of describing a 39-point loss, Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen didn’t relinquish his grip of the box score.

Self-inflicted penalties stall Bulldogs’ offense

AUBURN, Ala. — Dan Mullen felt the need to repeat it again: 10 penalties to one.

In a game where the No. 13 Auburn football team already had an edge in explosive offensive plays, third-down conversion rate, and yards per carry, Mississippi State’s football coach came back to the self-inflicted mistakes the No. 24 Bulldogs hurt themselves with in a 49-10 loss Saturday night at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Big plays doom MSU against Auburn

AUBURN, Ala. — A quick peek at the big screen at Jordan-Hare Stadium revealed an interesting statistic to Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen.

Brown’s passing sparks Starkville

STARKVILLE — Chris Jones insists success on offense is based more on the players, not the plays.

For much of Jones’ first season as head football coach at Starkville High School, the Yellow Jackets have executed at a high level and relied on a productive running game.

That plan changed in a hurry Friday night.

Brown filling in for Thomas up front for MSU

STARKVILLE — Cory Thomas gave the Mississippi State football coaching staff every reason to believe he was going to be a pivotal part of its defensive line.

Tackles for loss help fuel Auburn defense

STARKVILLE — The Missouri football team needed a boost.

Playing then-No. 15 Auburn at home as an 18-point underdog, Missouri hoped its running attack could provide that spark early in the first quarter. Facing a third-and-5, Missouri elected to run, but Auburn defensive lineman Marlon Davidson stopped running back Ish Witter for a 4-yard loss.

Clark looks to take featured role for Starkville

STARKVILLE — Rodrigues “Dreke” Clark wouldn’t be a running back if he didn’t like touching the ball, but he isn’t selfish.

After getting a third of the carries in the Starkville High School football team’s season opener against Noxubee County, Clark said he enjoyed watching fellow running backs Andreus Swanigan and KJ Lawrence run.

Now Clark is being asked to supply the energy as the Yellow Jackets’ featured back.

Howland optimistic as start of 2017-18 season approaches

STARKVILLE — Ben Howland has plenty of reasons to be excited about the Mississippi State men’s basketball team’s 2017-18 season.

But Howland’s enthusiasm has little to do with the players returning from a 16-16 campaign last season.

Walk-on Wednesday: Wall blends personal business with football

STARKVILLE — One day last spring, Brad Wall and Blake Sears were just passing time in their dorm room doing what most college students do: wishing they had more money. A few ideas were tossed around, very few in serious nature, until a t-shirt design struck the both of them.

Cooke finds niche with MSU kicking game

STARKVILLE — Logan Cooke is one of the nation’s best kickoff specialists, yet he wouldn’t advise anyone to take on his method.

Fitzgerald, Bulldogs aim for better execution

STARKVILLE — What was expected to be a season of progress for Mississippi State junior quarterback Nick Fitzgerald, his second as starter, hit its first major speed bump Saturday at Sanford Stadium.

In a stark departure from Fitzgerald’s climb up the school’s record book in the first three games, Fitzgerald threw for 83 yards and two interceptions in a 31-3 loss to then-No. 11 Georgia.

Harris hopes MSU has better week of practice

STARKVILLE — Dez Harris hoped Thursday would be a turning point.

The Mississippi State linebacker hadn’t seen what he had hoped for from his defense through all but the final day of MSU’s practice week for Georgia, so he started the conversation.

MSU will try to recapture defensive dominance

ATHENS, Ga. — Long spurts of defensive dominance were the calling card of the Mississippi State football team in its 3-0 start.

Following victories against Charleston Southern and Louisiana Tech, the highlight for MSU was a second half against LSU in which the Bulldogs held the then-No. 12 Tigers scoreless. Overall, the Bulldogs limited the Tigers to 270 yards in a 37-7 victory.

Mississippi State falls hard in SEC matchup at Georgia

ATHENS, Ga. — The Sanford Stadium crowd roared as Mississippi State running back Kylin Hill was taken to the ground a matter of feet from the goal line.

MSU Notebook: Fitzgerald endures tough return home

ATHENS, Ga. — Whether Nick Fitzgerald wanted it to happen or not, the nostalgia came.

Heard brothers playing big roles for ICC

SCOOBA — On second down in the second quarter, East Mississippi Community College motioned wide receiver Calvin Keys Jr. across the formation for a bubble screen.

Balance has been key for MSU on third down

STARKVILLE — Opposing coaches trying to find the Mississippi State football team’s formula on third down aren’t going to find one.

That’s the way MSU coach Dan Mullen designed his offense.

Abram’s energy lifts MSU’s defense

STARKVILLE — Johnathan Abram has been a transformative figure amidst all of the change on the Mississippi State football team’s defense.

Entering the season, the Bulldogs still were adjusting to new defensive coordinator Todd Grantham’s system. New safeties coach Ron English also was adjusting to his new responsibilities and a new group of players.

Simpler approach working well for Starkville

STARKVILLE — Chris Jones was adamant his Starkville High School football team would learn from its 28-3 loss to West Point and come back better from it.

MSU offensive line will face another challenge at Georgia

STARKVILLE — Elgton Jenkins provided a brief distraction from the real focal point of the Mississippi State offensive line.

When Jenkins’ first start at center began with a few lower-than-desired snaps, suddenly all of the attention on new starters Darryl Williams (left guard) and right tackle Stewart Reese (right tackle) vanished. With two more games in the books, Williams and Reese aren’t under such scrutiny anymore.