Most of the standout individual performers were on the opposing sideline, and from a Mississippi State perspective, there are some notable negatives and plenty to learn from. Here’s a look at some of the standouts from the SEC loss on Saturday.
Standout Stat: Georgia big plays
Passing – 6 plays for 187 yards
Rushing – 8 plays for 180 yards
Mississippi State’s defense had another week of difficulty containing explosive plays from its opponent. Last week, Arkansas gained 244 yards on 12 explosive plays, and the week before, Texas gained 273 yards from 10 big plays.
The distribution on Saturday was more balanced than MSU’s previous two opponents, with the Longhorns getting most of their yards through the air while the Razorbacks got big gains on the ground. Georgia did both, gaining 367 yards on big plays with a split of 187 passing and 180 rushing.
Running back Nate Frazier ran for 181 yards on just 12 carries, an average of 15 yards per carry, and was one of five rushers with an explosive play. Quarterback Gunner Stockton got plenty of help from the playmakers in the passing game as well, with 149 of his 264 passing yards coming after the catch.
The ability to find balance on offense in the first half set the tone, and the contest was all but finished with 25 minutes left to play in the game.
Standout Stat: Rushing Success Rate
Georgia 61%
Mississippi State 33%
Georgia’s offense found the most success on the ground, totalling 303 yards with an alarming average of 6.9 yards per carry.
The lack of push in the run game and the undisciplined penalties on the offensive line were both factors in setting MSU back on the day. The first half, in particular, was plagued by drive-killing negative plays from self-inflicted wounds. Penalties and sacks killed MSU, and by the time they got the ball back in the second half, it was a 24-point game.
MSU running backs Fluff Bothwell and Davon Booth combined for 82 yards on 20 carries, a reflection of the number of times the Bulldogs were put into passing situations. The negative plays paired with the pressure to keep up with Georgia’s scoring became an impossible situation for MSU’s offense.
Kamario Taylor: 6-10, 87 yards, 53 rushing yards, 3 TDs
A silver lining of the heavy defeat was the glimpse into the future that Bulldog nation got with true freshman Kamario Taylor once again being called into action. Blake Shapen took a heavy blindside hit early in the second half that knocked him out of the game, and the Bulldogs stuck with Taylor through the end, even as Shapen was cleared to return.
Taylor’s first touchdown of the game was his first involvement in a long opening drive by the Bulldogs. His second touchdown of the game came at the end of a 14-play, 75-yard drive that he led down the field.
Perhaps the most impressive play wasn’t even a touchdown. Taylor, who had a couple of misfires early on through the air, hit Brenen Thompson in stride down the field for a 57-yard gain, which set up a third rushing touchdown to complete Taylor’s hat trick.
On a day with very few positives for MSU, Taylor offered a sense of genuine hope for the team’s future and the dividends that Lebby’s recruiting may soon pay out.
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