You likely didn’t see much of the second half of Mississippi State’s lackluster performance against Arizona State in Tempe, Arizona, Saturday night. And, who could blame you? It was after 11:15 p.m. in Mississippi by the time the third quarter kicked off.
Or, maybe you were still awake but so frustrated by the Bulldogs’ first half performance that you changed the channel and never looked back. Can’t blame you there, either.
Saturday’s game was a test with several components. The path to bowl eligibility would get considerably more difficult with a loss, especially considering that those games against Florida and Arkansas that many State fans considered “gimmes” now suddenly look a little less certain. Jeff Lebby’s “showtime” offense would be challenged by a competent Big 12 foe, and MSU would get some practice in a true road environment before SEC play begins.
I’ve graded thousands of tests in my career and I can tell you that the Bulldogs unequivocally failed all three.
The first half of Saturday night’s contest was some of the worst football I’ve seen the Bulldogs play in recent years. The offense couldn’t find its footing, and what little progress was made was often derailed by penalties and other mental errors. The defense – if you can call it that – appeared to want nothing to do with tackling the Sun Devils’ bruising running back, Cam Skattebo, often merely escorting him down the field for many of his 262 yards. Skattebo, who looks like a tree trunk with legs and ran like Derrick Henry in high school, averaged almost 8 yards per carry on 33 carries. His 262 yards are the most Mississippi State has allowed to an individual running back since at least 2004.
A look at Mississippi State’s drive chart for the first half is not for the faint of heart. The Bulldogs first six possessions went like this: Punt, punt, field goal, fumble, turnover on downs, halftime. Showtime, indeed.
The offense finally showed signs of life in the second half to make the final score closer than the game actually was. Kevin Coleman continues to be a revelation at wide receiver and quarterback Blake Shapen can spin the ball when he has time and open receivers. The defense, which surrendered 346 rushing yards on the night, eventually got some three-and-outs as the Sun Devils inexplicably tried passing the ball at the end of the third and beginning of the fourth quarter. I guess even Skattebo needs a break sometime.
Beyond the box score, the Bulldogs looked unmotivated, uninterested and maybe even unprepared to begin the game. Lebby, to his credit, took responsibility for the loss, telling reporters after the game that he “did a bad job” getting the team ready.
Shapen, too, owned up to the performance in his postgame comments, acknowledging that the team’s lack of execution on offense starts with him.
While I appreciate those comments, that’s what leaders are supposed to say. Doing those things is a different matter altogether. This week, at home, against Toledo, represents an opportunity for a “get-right” game before the SEC gauntlet begins. If there is ever such a thing as a “must-win,” well, this is it. After Saturday night’s performance, the Bulldogs have nowhere to go but up.
Philip Poe is sports editor.
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