STARKVILLE — Every Monday during the season, Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers leads a players-only meeting to discuss the previous game and continue preparing for the next one.
Rarely has that meeting been as critical as it was this week, with the Bulldogs coming off their most lopsided defeat since October 2021 — a 41-14 beatdown to LSU on their home field — and their first road trip of the season coming up against South Carolina. Rogers took as much accountability as anyone after he posted a career-low completion percentage and threw for his fewest single-game yardage since his collegiate debut in 2020.
“We had some leaders talk. It’s a new week,” Rogers said. “We learn about what we did and didn’t do last Saturday, so it’s key to have senior leadership and guys who will speak up in front of the team and tell guys it’s not acceptable the way we played. We have to get it corrected this week.”
Offensively, MSU (2-1, 0-1 Southeastern Conference) looked out of sync for much of Saturday and picked up just one first down on its first five possessions. The Bulldogs were just 3-for-13 on third down, largely because their average yards to go on those plays was nearly 10. Just three of their third-down plays required fewer than eight yards to pick up the first down.
“We’re playing in third-and-long so many times, and we just have to get better on first and second down,” offensive coordinator Kevin Barbay said. “Way too many three-and-outs. We just have to keep chugging along and keep our guys playing better.”
MSU’s defense did sack Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels twice and applied pressure consistently, but Daniels was able to get the ball out quickly or hurt the Bulldogs with his legs. The veteran linebacker duo of Jett Johnson and Nathaniel “Bookie” Watson were their usual selves with 27 tackles and half a sack between them, and cornerback DeCarlos Nicholson was a bright spot in his first collegiate start with 10 tackles, including one for a loss.
Still, none of those numbers can hide the fact that MSU allowed 530 total yards, the most the Bulldogs have surrendered since a 49-9 loss to Alabama in 2021.
Defensive tackle Jaden Crumedy, who had a third-down sack to force LSU’s only punt of the first half, said the players’ meetings are places where anyone can speak up, but the older players do most of the talking.
“It’s been a great thing for the team because everybody gets to know how the older guys are feeling,” Crumedy said. “It’s a great way to connect with each other and improve each week.”
Saturday’s performance came a week after MSU allowed 431 yards in an overtime win over Arizona. And next on the schedule are the Gamecocks (1-2, 0-1) and quarterback Spencer Rattler, who may not have the scrambling ability of Daniels or Arizona’s Jayden de Laura but is one of the most prolific passers in all of college football.
The coaching staff is aware and supportive of the meetings, though defensive coordinator Matt Brock was quick to point out that talking about what needs to change is one thing; actually making those changes is another.
“Player-led teams are always the best teams you’re going to have,” Brock said. “But ultimately, we have to go out and do it on a daily basis all the way through the entire week, for the entire 60 minutes or as long as it takes. I’m sure those are good steps, and now it just has to actually come to fruition on the football field.”
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 28 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 28 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
Join the Discussion