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Mississippi State

QUICK HITTER: Mississippi State's third quarter clears way for 34-17 win

3rupauk8_400x400by: Robbie Faulk08/30/25RobbieFaulkOn3
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Photo by Jared Thomas, Maroon and White Daily

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – A sluggish first half didn’t deter Mississippi State in its season opener on Saturday afternoon.

After  the Bulldogs struggled to a 2-10 record a season ago, things looked dire again in a 13-10 first half. A rejuvenated State team would come out in the third quarter and put together three-straight scoring drives to rectify that and lead to a 34-17 win over Southern Miss.

“We’ve talked nonstop about August 30, winning the opener and being 1-0. I’m proud of that. Proud of being able to come down here on the road and it really was a good environment, and finding a way to win,” Bulldog head coach Jeff Lebby said. “The struggle to me was what we were doing from a penalty standpoint. The biggest takeway was how we ended the first half and started the third quarter.”

A dominant third quarter cleared the way for the Bulldogs to take full control of the contest. State outgained USM (0-1) 199-25 in the quarter and outscored the Golden Eagles 21-0 to take a 31-10 advantage.

The Bulldogs (1-0) sputtered on both sides of the ball for most of the first half. MSU had two touchdowns called back on penalties that turned into field goals. It kept the game at 10-10 late in the fourth quarter before a late field goal from Kyle Ferrie made it 13-10 at the half.

Ferrie hit two field goals in the first half with the first being true from 55 yards. That field goal set the school record for longest made field goal besting Artie Cosby from 1985.

Quarterback Blake Shapen made his return to the field for the Bulldogs for the first time since September 21 of 2024 when a shoulder injury ended his season after four games. He was 26 of 34 for 270 yards, one touchdowns and one interception with the pick coming in the first quarter of the game.

“I haven’t played in a long time so just getting out on the field there’s going to be some jitters. I was just excited to get out there and play with these guys. That’s something that I’ll never take for granted again.”

MSU’s offense outgained the Golden Eagles 462-301 with 185 yards on the ground on 40 carries. Brenen Thompson led the way with seven catches for 92 yards receiving and Seydou Traore had a touchdown on five catches and 77 yards.  

Marshall transfer and 2024 Sun Belt Newcomer of the year Braylon Braxton was 26 of 39 for 199 yards, two touchdowns and an interception and rushed for 58 yards on 12 carries. He got a touchdown in the final minute of the ball game to close the lead to 17 points, but the Bulldogs had neutralized him for most of the second half.

Confidence was waning among Bulldog fans in the first half that their team had improved. In the second half, a little order was restored as MSU had a much better second half to give the team momentum heading into a huge matchup against No. 11 Arizona State.

Next Saturday’s showdown with the Sun Devils presents an opportunity for the Bulldogs to truly show they’ve made a jump as a team. ASU went to the College Football Playoff a season ago and started that run by beating the Bulldogs 30-23 in Tempe.

The 6:30 p.m. kickoff (ESPN 2) is now the focus of the team as they turn the page.

“Monday morning is when we get back together and watch the tape. We’ll start game planning as a staff (Sunday) for Arizona State and go from there.”

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