Skip to main content
Mississippi State

Inside the numbers: Mississippi State-Texas first half stats

Paul Jones Mississippi State Bulldogsby: Paul Jones13 hours agoPaulJonesOn3
malick sylla3
Mississippi State LB Malick Sylla (Photo by Jared Thomas, Maroon and White Daily)

Mississippi State and No. 22 Texas have reached halftime at Davis Wade Stadium and the host Bulldogs hold a 24-14 advantage.

Texas wasted little time finding the end zone in the first quarter. After forcing a three and out to start the game, Arch Manning connected with Ryan Wingo for 60 yards on the first offensive play of the game for Texas. Manning score from three yards out on the next play and the Longhorns led 7-0 with 13:01 left in the first quarter.

Mississippi State’s first scoring attempt of the game came on the next possession but Kyle Ferrie‘s 47-yard goal attempt was blocked.

However, State’s defense got another three and out to give the offense good field positions moments later. The Bulldogs marched 53 yards and capped the drive when Blake Shapen hit Sam West for a 13-yard touchdown, tying the game at 7-7 with 5:14 remaining in the opening period.

Texas would regain the lead early in the second quarter and had its drive kept alive by a Bulldog penalty on a field goal attempt. The Longhorns took advantage and Manning found Parker Livingstone for a 1-yard touchdown pass, giving Texas a 14-7 lead with 12:41 left in the half.

The Bulldogs responded with an 83-yard scoring drive to tie the game at 14-14. Freshman quarterback KaMario Taylor found Seydou Traore for a one-yard touchdown toss on fourth and goal with 9:21 remaining in the first half.

Mississippi State’s defense kept the Longhorns in check and the offense maintained momentum later in the half. Shapen connected with Brenen Thompson for a 23-yard touchdown pass to increase the State lead to 24-14 with 38 seconds left in the half.

Mississippi State had 281 yards of offense in the opening half with 187 coming through the air. The Bulldogs had one penalty for four yards and were 3 of 10 on third down. State was also 1 of 2 on fourth down and held the ball for 15:47 of the first half.

Texas was held to 130 yards of offense with 99 coming in the air. The Longhorns were 3 of 10, as well, on third down and did not attempt a fourth down conversion. Texas had four penalties for 30 yards and had the ball for 14:13 in the first half.

Individually, Shapen was 13 of 23 for 187 yards with two touchdowns. Davon Booth led the ground game with 13 carries for 78 yards while Traore had four catches for 41 yards and a touchdown.

For Texas Manning was 12 of 19 for 99 yards with one touchdown and one interception. CJ Baxter had six carries for 18 yards to pace the ground game while DeAndre Moore had four catches for 32 yards.

You may also like