STARKVILLE — Nothing has come easy for this Mississippi State team. But the Bulldogs managed to snap a three-game losing streak with a 41-28 victory over Western Michigan on Saturday, entering their bye week at 3-3.

Takeaways

Mike Wright is capable of being more than just a runner.

The Vanderbilt transfer entered Saturday having thrown just one pass in a Bulldogs uniform, but looked competent throwing the ball Saturday. He completed seven of 10 passes for 57 yards, including a 29-yard deep shot on play action to Lideatrick “Tulu” Griffin that set up a touchdown.

Starter Will Rogers also played well, finishing 16-for-22 with 189 yards and three touchdown passes before exiting the game late with an injury.

This defense still has major, major problems.

MSU looked excellent defensively for most of the first half with Western Michigan down its starting quarterback and running back. The Broncos managed just two first downs on their first five drives.

But once third-string quarterback Hayden Wolff entered the game, the Bulldogs could hardly stop anything in the air or on the ground. Western Michigan went no-huddle and MSU was on its heels constantly. Wolff finished 27-of-35 for 262 yards and three touchdowns, continuing a worrisome trend of the Bulldogs not being able to force incompletions.

The bye week could not be coming at a better time.

Running back Jo’Quavious “Woody” Marks was banged up entering Saturday, and he limped to the sideline after twisting his leg midway through the second quarter. Wide receiver Justin Robinson missed his second straight game with an injury, and running back Jeffery Pittman was out Saturday with a boot on his leg. Rogers ran into the locker room, accompanied by trainers, in the fourth quarter, and redshirt freshman linebacker Donterry Russell was banged up moments later.

Even the kicker, freshman Kyle Ferrie, went down in the third quarter when Bilhal Kone contacted his plant leg on a field goal attempt. Ferrie went to the tent for medical attention, and Nick Barr-Mira handled place-kicking duties for the rest of the game, drilling a 49-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter to help salt away the victory.