STARKVILLE – Mississippi State lost one that many players on the team felt they should have won on Saturday.
A gut-wrenching 41-34 overtime loss to No. 15 Tennessee featured multiple turnovers, multiple penalties, missed field goals and missed scoring opportunities for both teams. It was the sort of contest that either team would could have beaten themselves up over for losing, but it was the Bulldogs who wound up on the losing end of it.
Here is a look at the moments that mattered most in the hectic shootout between the two teams.
Pick Six
The first gift of points to the Vols may not be under the microscope as much as the second instance, but it’s equally important given where the Bulldogs were in the game.
MSU’s defense had just held Tennessee to a field goal on its opening offensive drive and then a midfield stop on the following drive. The Bulldogs had an opportunity to drive and find a rhythm after two three-and-outs early in the game, but more importantly, grab a two-score lead. Instead, on third and five, Shapen placed a pass behind running back Fluff Bothwell on an angle route that would have picked up a first down. Bothwell reached behind to try and grab it, but only managed to tip the ball up for Tennessee DB Colton Hood to grab it and dart into the end zone.
It was the first touchdown of the day for the Vols, and set an unfortunate theme for the Bulldogs of getting in their own away on offense. It was a bad day at the office for Shapen, but he was under constant pressure, sacked four times in the first half and had to make quick decisions with the ball as plays weren’t allowed time to develop.
At that point, early in the game, the Bulldogs looked the more prepared team. They were able to drive and score following the turnover thanks to a boost on the ground from running backs Davon Booth and Bothwell, but this was one of several opportunities missed to find the next gear and assert some control in what would end up being a chaotic contest.
Scoop and Score
The Bulldogs handed the Vols another touchdown in the fourth quarter in maybe the biggest momentum halt of the game. Lebby opted to roll the dice on a fake punt, running around the right edge with tight end Sam West for a 15-yard gain. It was a massive gamble and payoff for MSU’s offense, which had time to run the ball and take a two-score lead. A 24-20 lead at the start of the final frame and the chance to keep running the ball, wear down the Vols, and take control of the game.
But it wasn’t to be.
On the very next play, Shapen kept on a run-pass option play while two Tennessee edge rushers closed in. Tyre West blindsided Shapen and forced a fumble, which Joshua Josephs scooped up and took the other way for the second defensive touchdown of the game for the Vols.
“We gave them 14 points,” Lebby said. “The game looks completely different, we’re first and 10 right at midfield after the fake punt, 13:30 left or something like that, had an issue up front, we’re up 24-20, and then *snap*, it’s 27-24. That’s the difference in the ballgame.”
The head coach’s assessment cut right to the point: the Bulldogs beat themselves.
Three and out
Despite handing the Vols another score on offense, the Bulldogs recovered. They scored a field goal to tie the game again and forced a turnover through an interception by Zakari Tillman, setting up the offense in the red zone to take the lead with a touchdown.
The Vols responded with a smart six-minute drive to level the score again, leaving MSU with 1:55 left to play. It was similar to the Arizona State game, a two-minute drill to go down the field and win.
Only this time, the Bulldogs failed to connect. Shapen had a pair of bad incompletions on misreads, and suddenly the Bulldogs were punting the ball back with a minute and a half left for the Vols.
The defense held them at midfield to prevent a loss in regulation, but it was a terrible spot to put that unit in after a long drive. The offense was inefficient again in a big spot, and it cost them a chance to win.
“I’ve just got to be better,” Shapen said. “There are certain situations like that one, I’ve got to put the ball in the playmaker’s hands to make a play. I think there are a few times we’re either short or long in our depth of route, miscommunication, things like that. I’ve got to be better, I’ve got to play better. I’ve got to make sure that we don’t go three and out in that situation because it can’t happen when we’ve got to go win the game.”
Slip
In overtime, the Vols scored on their very first play. The Bulldog defense was bruised and battered, and likely exhausted after a lengthy fourth quarter of action, and Tennesse took advantage with the quick score.
The other part of the overtime round was the field position, putting the Bulldogs in the south end zone near the bulk of Tennessee fans on the east side of the stadium. A chunk play to Anthony Evans set MSU up with a first and goal, but they couldn’t move the ball beyond the 5.
On third and goal, Shapen scrambled to his right and saw a hole. It may not have been enough for the touchdown, but it was certainly enough grass to make a fourth down attempt easier on the goal line. It would have potentially opened up the playbook and the run game with two bruisers like Bothwell and Davon Booth to power their way in from a couple yards out.
But Shapen slipped while changing direction, and wound up down near the line of scrimmage.
On fourth and goal a high pass to Bothwell fell incomplete, and the Vols had won.
It was the last of several sliding doors moments for the Bulldogs, a game full of moments either team would have regretted had they lost. There is only one option though, and that is to move on from it and look forward to an opportunity to get back in the win column.
“I think we all know that was a game we shouldn’t have lost,” Shapen said. “We did, we all came in the locker room after the game and it was kind of a shock that we did lose. Moving forward, we’ve got to keep our head up. We’ve got a great opponent next week, going into a great place to play, and we’ve got to move on. There’s good things to take from the game that we did well, but there’s a lot of things we’ve got to clean up moving forward.”
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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 35 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
