COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Zavion Thomas gave Mississippi State its biggest spark in weeks Saturday night, finding a seam on the opening kickoff return and taking it all the way back for a 94-yard touchdown.
Bulldogs fans would have little else to cheer about as both the offense and defense were manhandled by Texas A&M in the trenches and at the skill positions. The Aggies started four first-half drives inside MSU territory and rolled to a 51-10 win, sending the Bulldogs to the brink of elimination from postseason play.
With Will Rogers still unable to play due to a left shoulder injury sustained on Oct. 7 against Western Michigan, true freshman Chris Parson made his first collegiate start, but struggled mightily in front of 103,266 fans at Kyle Field. Parson threw four passes in the first quarter with the last two being intercepted, and although the second pick came off a deflection, MSU (4-6, 1-6 Southeastern Conference) turned back to Mike Wright as the second quarter began.
Against the impressive defensive front of Texas A&M (6-4, 4-3), the Bulldogs had little success running the ball between the tackles but were able to find some room to the outside. On the first drive of the second quarter, though, Wright failed to pick up a first down on both third-and-1 and fourth-and-1 from MSU’s 34-yard line.
Freshman running back Seth Davis was the only real offensive bright spot, rushing for 79 yards on 12 carries including a 46-yarder early in the third quarter in which he reversed field and found room down the left sideline.
Meanwhile, Aggies third-string quarterback Jaylen Henderson, a transfer from Fresno State making his first start of the season in place of the injured Max Johnson, threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more. Henderson completed 11 of 19 passes for 150 yards, while rushing for another 60 yards on 12 carries.
The Bulldogs are back home for their final non-conference contest of the year next Saturday against Southern Miss.
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