STARKVILLE — Seems like being a ranked team in 2020 is overrated.
One week after a win that got the entire nation talking, No. 16 Mississippi State turned in an equally confusing performance in its 21-14 home opening loss against an Arkansas team that had lost 20 straight Southeastern Conference games.
The full Mike Leach experience was in full effect two weeks into his tenure.
As always, for those that are new to Bulldog Bullets, The Commercial Dispatch will bring you an instant reaction blog of Mississippi State football games posted immediately after the final gun filled with short observations and commentary.
To the Bulldog Bullets:
— Arkansas’ defense tried an entirely different strategy than LSU a week prior. Defensive coordinator Barry Odom lined the Razorbacks up in zone the entire night. More often than not, Arkansas dropped back as many defensive backs in coverage as possible and decided to not worry about rushing the passer. It confused MSU for most of the night. I doubt State sees man coverage again for the rest of the season.
— As great as K.J. Costello was last week (he did set a single-season SEC passing record), he was equally as subpar against the Razorbacks. Three costly turnovers, and more ill-advised attempts, one inaccurate throw on fourth down to a wide-open receiver. He also slid one yard short of the sticks on third down twice, which led to two failed fourth-down conversions. He’s going to want this game back.
— Kylin Hill got hurt, and K.J. Costello threw a pick-six. Not a great first series for Mississippi State.
Obviously, not having your best offensive player for most of the night is a killer. But it doesn’t explain why MSU couldn’t find a way to attack the zone defense through the air.
— It took more than 11 minutes of game time for Arkansas’ offense to actually snap its first play from scrimmage. The Bulldogs ran 28 plays in the first quarter. The Razorbacks ran four.
— MSU safety Londyn Craft made two back-to-back incredible plays on a goal line stand to keep Arkansas out of the end zone early in the second quarter.
— Arkansas ran on its first 17 of 21 offensive plays. Razorbacks seemed very content to establish a running game and chew clock.
— Four MSU drives in the second quarter: three punts, one interception. Not great!
— MSU defensive coordinator Zach Arnett will show Arkansas’ first drive of the second half in the background when he makes a few Bulldog defensive backs take a trip to Leach Beach because of poor tackling and blown coverages.
— Welcome to the wide receiver life, Garrett Shrader.
— Dillon Johnson, a true freshman running back, is getting critical fourth-down carries for MSU in Hill’s absence.
— Arkansas fumbled a handoff that gave MSU a prime scoring chance with 10 minutes remaining. You didn’t think the Razorbacks were going to go a whole game without acting like Arkansas, did you?
— A muffed punt by Jaden Walley down seven with 2:35 left. Ouch. The freshman had been making big plays all night, but that’s the one fans are going to remember.
— Two weeks in, and the Bulldogs are probably a complete mystery to everyone watching them. They’ll face a Kentucky team desperate for a win next week, and who knows where things go from there.
Hodge is the former sports editor for The Dispatch.
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