Football is back at Davis Wade Stadium on Saturday, with Mississippi State kicking off the 2024 season and the Jeff Lebby era against Eastern Kentucky at 5 p.m. on ESPN+ and SEC Network Plus. Since 1978, the Bulldogs have lost just once against an FCS team, a 9-7 defeat against Maine in 2004.
Here are five keys to victory for MSU in its first-ever meeting against the Colonels.
Score early, score often
The Bulldogs need to show off the offense Lebby proclaimed they would have when the new head coach was first introduced last November. MSU was at or near the bottom of the Southeastern Conference in most offensive categories last season, and Lebby’s offenses at Oklahoma, Ole Miss and UCF were consistently among college football’s best.
Fans are aching to see some explosive plays, whether they come through the air or on the ground, just to feel optimistic about the direction of the program. If quarterback Blake Shapen and his backs and receivers can provide them early, not only can the Bulldogs put the game out of reach, but the crowd will be energized and potential future recruits will see what this offense is capable of.
Get to the quarterback
Eastern Kentucky’s biggest strength is its offensive line. Colonels head coach Walt Wells was an offensive lineman at Austin Peay and coached the offensive line at several schools in his career, and EKU has an experienced group up front that includes left tackle Payton Collins and center John Stone.
Veteran quarterback Matt Morrisey has been a solid performer throughout his career, but a mobile quarterback he is not. The Colonels’ offensive line may have to hold blocks for a while, and if MSU can generate pressure, the Bulldogs could make Morrisey’s day quite uncomfortable.
Figure out the defensive pecking order
Per MSU’s depth chart, five starting spots on the Bulldogs’ defense were undecided as of Monday. MSU is certainly hoping to put the game far enough out of reach to spread out the playing time, but Lebby and defensive coordinator Coleman Hutzler are also surely hoping to find some answers and see who performs best on game day within the Bulldogs’ scheme.
From Branden Jennings, Ty Cooper and Nic Mitchell at linebacker, to Kedrick Bingley-Jones, Sulaiman Kpaka and Kalvin Dinkins up front, to Kelley Jones and Traveon Wright in the back end, several players are competing for those first-team reps, and Saturday will be their first chance to prove their mettle in a non-simulated setting.
Stay disciplined
Lebby said his team improved in this area between the first and second scrimmages in fall camp, especially in terms of avoiding pre-snap penalties. Against an upset-minded opponent, MSU still has to play mistake-free, because the Colonels will be looking for any opportunity to seize upon.
And if the Bulldogs find themselves in a close game in the second half, they will need to stay within themselves and keep trying to play their brand of football rather than panicking while the other sideline grows more and more confident by the minute.
Avoid more injuries
MSU is already banged up heading into Week 1, with wide receivers Kelly Akharaiyi and safety Corey Ellington out and freshman receiver JJ Harrell also dinged up during fall camp. Defensive linemen Dinkins and Trevion Williams have also battled injuries throughout the last few weeks and have been taking it easy in practice.
With a tough schedule looming ahead, the last thing the Bulldogs need is more bodies out of commission — another incentive to put Saturday’s game out of reach as quickly as possible to protect MSU’s most important players.
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