Jeff Lebby comments on defensive regression, assesses Bulldog coaching staff

As Mississippi State was building towards an upset win over top 25 Texas just a few week ago, the Bulldog defense had played a part in building a 17-point lead by early fourth quarter.

Coleman Hutzler’s unit swarmed to quarterback Arch Manning and brought an intensity that had not been seen often under the defensive coordinator’s watch. It looked like a Bulldog defense again, but it would be short-lived.

As the Longhorns fought back into the game and ultimately knocked off State in the collapse, something seemingly broke in that unit and the last three weeks have netted abysmal results. Against Arkansas, Georgia and Missouri, State’s defense has surrendered 35 or more points in all three games. Those three opponents have racked up an incredible 868 yards rushing and 6.7 yards per rush. The low point of it all was surrendering 300 yards rushing against Ahmad Hardy at Mizzou last Saturday as the Bulldogs fell 49-27.

“We have not tackled the way we needed to and that has been something that has been very constant. The explosive plays would be the next thing,” head coach Jeff Lebby said. “The explosive plays given up vs. Georgia and then the explosive plays (vs. Missouri), I think it was six for 232 yards in the stat book I think it was nine for 280. We’ve got to quit giving up the explosives and tackle better.”  

Coleman Hutzler struggling to produce in year two

A season after Hutzler coached one of the worst defenses in the Bulldogs’ modern history, the numbers are regressing to 2024 this season. Promise was shown from State earlier on this season and the numbers have certainly been *better*, but they’re not good enough to win inside the SEC.

As State hits preparation for the final regular season game next week against Ole Miss, the production speaks for itself. The Bulldogs are last in the SEC in rushing defense at 190 yards per game and that number is climbing lately. At 393 yards of total offense a contest, State is 15^th out of 16 teams and the 28 points surrendered per game is 14^th. Compared to last season, the Bulldogs were last in the SEC with 217 rushing yards, 456 total yards and 34 ppg.

Not to be overlooked, the Bulldogs lead the conference in interceptions and the total turnovers defensively is good for third in the league. Additionally, State has doubled its production in sacks with 20.0 this season. The improvement has been evident, but the net results still have State towards the bottom of the league.

“We’ve still made great improvement. You look at what we’ve been able to do against the throw game and having the ability to create turnovers and that to me is something that stands out in a great way,” Lebby said of the defense. “Against the run the last couple of weeks, it has been frustrating. For us, finding ways to tackle better and get guys on the ground when we have an opportunity to get them on the ground is a huge piece for us.”

Lebby kept his entire defensive staff intact from year one with Hutzler getting his second season to call plays. The head coach did add two veteran coaches to that side of the ball as former defensive coordinators and head coaches Mike Macintyre and Paul Rhodes came to Starkville as analysts. He also added Colorado defensive assistant Vincent Dancy to coach the team’s Edge group.

The continuity and added depth and talent from the transfer portal has helped improve some numbers for the Bulldogs, but the results have still been a defense around the bottom of the league. Lebby shrugged off the thought that it was a coaching and developmental issue.

“I do believe there’s been real growth on that side of the football. It’s given us a chance to win a couple of games earlier and for multiple reasons, didn’t find a way to do it,” Lebby said. “I think our guys are coaching their butt off every single day and spending a lot of time teaching and developing and trying to find ways to create an advantage. It’s about pedal down and straining every single day to give us the opportunity to go play the best we can next Friday.”

The Bulldogs will face another tremendous challenge on Black Friday next week as State hosts No. 6 Ole Miss in the Battle of the Golden Egg. The Rebels bring in Lane Kiffin’s high profile offense and one of the nation’s best running backs in Kewan Lacy on Friday at 11 a.m. on ABC.