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Mississippi State

RECAP: Mississippi State 38, Arkansas 35

3rupauk8_400x400by: Robbie Faulk6 hours agoRobbieFaulkOn3
anthony evans13
Mississippi State WR Anthony Evans (Photo by Nelson Chenault, USA Today Sports)

Mississippi State was dead in the water on Saturday and a 16-game Southeastern Conference loss looked to be on the way.

Arkansas led 35-21 with over 10 minutes remaining in the ball game but the Bulldogs clawed back in it. Down 35-31 in the final minute, Blake Shapen led a touchdown drive that ended with Anthony Evans’ 18-yard touchdown and the Bulldog defense got a stop to give the Bulldogs a triumphant 38-35 win.

The victory was three seasons in the making for the Bulldogs who had lost 15 games in a row in conference play. The last win, ironically, came back in 2023 against Arkansas when the Bulldogs won 7-3.

The victory was a wild turn of events, especially for Shapen. The senior quarterback went out of the ball game in the third quarter and freshman Kamario Taylor led two touchdown drives to cut the lead to 28-21.

Shapen reentered the game late in the third and immediately threw an interception as the Bulldog fans erupted on the internet. After that, Shapen led three-straight scoring drives with two touchdowns and a field goal to go win the game.

The senior QB was 16-of-28 in the game for 242 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. The Bulldogs were outgained 433-388 in the game with the Razorbacks rushing for 239 yards and three touchdowns with Mike Washington rushing 16 times for 116 yards. Taylen Green was 19-of-31 for 194 yards and a touchdown and had 17 carries for 46 yards and a score.

The Bulldog runners had a tough day on the ground as Fluff Bothwell and Davon Booth combined for 19 carries and 30 yards. Taylor was 2-of-5 passing for 40 yards and a touchdown and had six carries for 55 yards and a score. Brenen Thompson had six catches for 107 yards while Evans caught five balls for 111 yards and two touchdowns – none bigger than the score to close it out.

What really beat the Razorbacks was an incredible 18 penalties for a school-record 193 yards. The Bulldogs had just four penalties in the game for 30 yards.

The win has the Bulldogs now 5-4 on the season with a 1-4 start in SEC play and they’re just one win away from bowl eligibility. State has three chances to get there but all against top 25 teams beginning with No. 5 Georgia next week at Davis Wade Stadium. The two teams play at 11 a.m. next Saturday.  

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