COLLEGE STATION, Texas — For one fleeting moment, the good vibes were back for Mississippi State.
The big special teams play the Bulldogs had been waiting on for weeks finally arrived Saturday night at Texas A&M, when Zavion Thomas weaved through the Aggies’ coverage team on the opening kickoff and ran it back 94 yards for a touchdown. But it was all steeply downhill from there, as MSU was manhandled on both sides of the ball in the trenches and at the skill positions in a 51-10 defeat at Kyle Field.
“The game started off in as good a way as possible. Not much went our way after that,” Bulldogs head coach Zach Arnett said. “We have a lot of frustrated, angry competitors, which is what you want. We have to decide how we respond.”
With Will Rogers sidelined by a left shoulder injury for the fourth consecutive game, freshman Chris Parson made his first collegiate start in front of more than 103,000 fans and struggled mightily in the first quarter, throwing interceptions on back-to-back passes. Mike Wright replaced Parson at that point, and when Parson was reinserted midway through the third quarter after Wright took a big hit, he promptly threw his third pick of the night, this one in the end zone.
Texas A&M also started a third-string quarterback — Max Johnson was out with a ribs injury sustained last week against Ole Miss, so Jaylen Henderson started for the first time and threw for two touchdowns while rushing for two more. He led the Aggies on an 80-yard drive immediately after Thomas’ kickoff return, finding a running lane for a 22-yard touchdown to quickly even the score.
“We had preached all week that we needed to start faster,” linebacker Jett Johnson said. “We’d been allowing big first drives and then settling in and playing really good defense. We just have to come out with a better mentality.”
Thanks to Parson’s first two interceptions, a turnover on downs and a punt from MSU’s own end zone, Texas A&M started four straight drives in Bulldogs territory. MSU (4-6, 1-6 Southeastern Conference) also was charged with 100 yards of penalties, including seven pre-snap infractions on which the large and boisterous crowd may have been a factor.
Trailing 17-7 as the second quarter began, the Bulldogs quickly faced a third-and-1 on their own 34-yard line. Wright was stopped inches short on a counter play, and Arnett opted to keep his offense on the field on fourth down, where Wright got nowhere on a quarterback sneak.
“We knew we were going to give Chris the start, but it was probably very likely against that defense… that there would be situations where both guys were going to play,” Arnett said. “When you’re a true freshman making your first career start in this environment against that defensive line, that’s a lot different than opening up against an FCS team.”
Henderson guided his offense to two more touchdown drives before halftime. Ainias Smith beat safety Marcus Banks, thanks to a block from tight end Max Wright, and took a short pass for a 19-yard touchdown to cap a 72-yard drive that took up less than two minutes. Following a three-and-out, Henderson reached the sideline on a scramble and scored from 11 yards out to make it a 34-10 game at the break.
MSU forced a three-and-out on the first possession of the second half, then used a 46-yard run by freshman Seth Davis to move into Aggies territory. But on third-and-11, Wright never saw blitzing defensive back Jarred Kerr, who knocked the ball out as he hit the quarterback. Shemar Stewart picked up the loose ball and took it back for a touchdown that removed any remaining doubt about the night’s outcome.
“You can’t turn the ball over four times,” Arnett said. “You’re not going to beat a good football team (by) doing that. Us coaches are working really hard and trying to find ways to give the ball to our best players and manufacture points. Obviously we have to keep working.”
Davis was the lone bright spot for the Bulldogs’ offense, with 79 rushing yards on 12 carries. Meanwhile, Texas A&M (6-4, 4-3) rushed for 246 yards while averaging 5.5 yards per carry, even after accounting for two sacks. Henderson completed 11 of 19 passes for 150 yards without an interception, adding 60 more yards on the ground.
MSU’s postseason hopes are now on life support with two games remaining. The Bulldogs are back home next Saturday for one more non-conference contest against in-state foe Southern Miss, and Arnett suggested there is a strong possibility Rogers could return against the Golden Eagles.
“Our fans ought to be frustrated,” Arnett said. “I can guarantee you no one is more frustrated and angry with that result than the players and coaches. We have an extremely passionate fan base. They’ve done a tremendous job supporting the team and creating great environments at home all year long. We have two more opportunities, and I believe this team is going to respond and get back to work. Hopefully we get a few guys back as well.”
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