QUICK RECAP: Mississippi State stuns No. 12 Arizona State in final minute, 24-20

For many Mississippi State fans, a similar script was being written on Saturday night in Davis Wade Stadium.

The Bulldogs had so much promise early in the game against No. 12 Arizona State with a big lead and then gave it all away in the final minutes. But unlike many games in the past, this State team wrote its own story.

Down 20-17 with just over 1 minute remaining, Blake Shapen hit Brenen Thompson for a 58-yard touchdown that sent Davis Wade Stadium into a frenzy. Hunter Washington would come up with an interception on the next offensive play for Arizona State and the Bulldogs came away with a 24-20 triumph.

“What an atmosphere, what an evening. That is Davis Wade Stadium at its finest,” Lebby said. “The funnest thing about it for our guys, everything we’ve been through in the program, to see our university show up the way that we showed up (Saturday) is special.”

In a game with so much on the line for the Bulldogs and the future of the program, State made the plays to win the game. Thompson made several of those in the game as he had a career night with six catches, 133 yards and two touchdowns.

Both of his biggest catches were separated by two halves and there was a lot of ugly in between – but the Bulldogs won.

“I could just hear the cowbells ringing so loud and I couldn’t get across the goal line fast enough,” Thompson said of his game-winning catch. “When I did get across the goal line, what a surreal moment for myself and my teammates and for this fanbase.”

The energy of a raucous Davis Wade fueled the Bulldogs to get out to a 17-0 lead, but it wouldn’t be sustainable until the final possession. Following that dominant start to the game, State surrendered the momentum to the Sun Devils and 20-straight points ensued after a 17-play, 95-yard drive led to a game-leading field goal.

State’s offense had gone five-straight possessions without scoring dating back to the second quarter until Shapen would find Thompson for glory.  

“We emphasized going out and playing the next play,” Shapen said. “These are moments that I live for. This shows a lot about our team. The emotions are very high right now and I’m very blessed to be in this position.”

The win was the first for the Bulldogs against a top 15 non-conference opponent since 1991 and Jeff Lebby’s first marquee win as head coach of the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs (2-0) outgained the Sun Devils 209-95 in the first half to build a 17-0 lead just before half but a field goal cut the lead to 17-3 at the half. That momentum carried into the second half for ASU as it would outgain the Bulldogs 238-59 in the second half until the final possession turned things.

Shapen was 19 of 33 for 279 yards and three touchdowns and two of those scores came to Brenen Thompson who had six catches for 133 yards. Anthony Evans finished with nine catches and 108 yards and a score.

ASU (1-1) had 251 yards on the ground as Raleek Brown and Kanye Udoh finished over 100 yards each. Udoh had 23 carries for 105 yards and a score.

Jahron Manning led a State defense that played strong in the ball game and he had nine tackles with a pass breakup. Nic Mitchell finished with nine tackles as well, including a stop on 3^rd and goal from the 1 that set up the final field goal.

MSU had six TFL as a team and 2.0 sacks with two interceptions in the game.

After the thrill of Lebby’s first huge win as the head coach, the Bulldogs now prepare to try and get another win.

“We’re going to see a lot of things on tape that weren’t very good so we’ll be able to coach really, really hard on Monday as soon as the guys get in,” Lebby said. “All of the talk tonight was to just go 1-0. The black out, the energy in the stadium and all the noise that was happening outside – just control what we can control and go 1-0 so we have the ability to go 2-0 and we’re at home again next Saturday. We’ve got to show great maturity in being able to handle this victory, but that’s my job.”