STARKVILLE – Mississippi State handled business on Saturday against Alcorn State, moving to 3-0 on the year with a blowout win.
The Bulldogs hadn’t pitched a shutout on defense since a 49-0 win against Charleston Southern in 2017, so the effort by the defense meant a little extra even as the game went into the final minutes. The defense held strong, and the Braves’ only real shot at finding the scoreboard came on a missed field goal in the first half.
The Bulldog offense got rolling in the first half, scoring on the opening drive for a third straight game with a 75-yard touchdown pass from Blake Shapen to Jordan Mosley. It was Mosley’s first score of the season, and was the first of four touchdowns in the first quarter alone for MSU.
Fluff Bothwell got in on the action on the next drive to score, and the third touchdown came on a 42-yard pass from Kamario Taylor to Brenen Thompson. It was Taylor’s first pass and first touchdown in his collegiate career.
Shapen would run another score in himself as well as find Anthony Evans for a 22-yard touchdown through the air. He had one interception in his first half outing, tossing the ball high in the air for an easy pick after taking a hit while throwing, but otherwise had a clean game. He ended the evening 10-14 with 173 yards and two scores.
The Bulldogs led 42-0 at halftime, and both head coaches agreed to shorten the second half to two 10-minute quarters, in accordance with NCAA rules.
The Bulldogs found the end zone a few more times in the second half. Running backs Xavier Gayten and Seth Davis both crossed the goalline, as did quarterback Luke Kromenhoek on a keeper in the red zone. The second string hit the field on defense as well and kept the shutout going.
MSU will be back home in Week Four, hosting Northern Illinois University for the final nonconference game of the regular season. The Bulldogs will kick off against the Huskies at 3:15 p.m. at Davis Wade Stadium. The game will air on SEC Network.
You can help your community
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.
You can help your community
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.
