Bulldogs Belt Gamecocks 27-14 To Open 2016 SEC Action

Saturday, September 10

Starkville

6:00 PM

Mississippi State

1-1 , 1-0

South Carolina

1-1 , 1-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

South Carolina

Mississippi State

QB Nick Fitzgerald tallied 373 yards of total offense Saturday - 178 passing and 195 rushing (school record for QB). He also threw two TD passes.

Bulldogs Belt Gamecocks 27-14 To Open 2016 SEC Action

September 10, 2016 | Football

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STARKVILLE, Miss. - Through four quarters and an hour-long lightning delay, Mississippi State (1-1,1-0 SEC) prevailed over South Carolina (1-1, 0-1), winning by a final score of 27-14 in Starkville in the SEC opener for the home team Saturday.

The Bulldogs started quick, forcing a Gamecock three-and-out on the opening possession, while the MSU offense followed up with a scoring drive led by sophomore quarterback Nick Fitzgerald. State outscored USC 24-0 in the first half, not allowing the first Gamecock score until five seconds remained in the third period.

Starting his second game of the season, Fitzgerald had the best performance of his career and, in fact, posted the best game on the ground of any quarterback in MSU history, rushing for a record 195 yards. Through the air, Fitzgerald completed 19-of-29 passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns as MSU outgained USC 485-243.

MSU entered the game with energy, led by head coach Dan Mullen demonstrating his passion on the sideline before the game. Mullen said the energy shown before and during the game reflected what practice was like during the week leading up to the game following a season-opening loss.

"It's been pretty intense, I'll tell you that much," he said. "That's who we are."

Starting his second game of the season, Fitzgerald had the best performance of his career, and in fact posted the best game on the ground of any quarterback in MSU history, rushing for a record 195 yards. Through the air, Fitzgerald completed 19-of-29 passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns as MSU out-gained USC 485-243.

Even senior receiver Fred Ross got in on the action, throwing for a touchdown of his own on a trick play, connecting with junior receiver Donald Gray for a 17-yard score to give MSU a 14-0 lead. Ross also led all MSU receivers with 56 yards and one touchdown for the night.

Defensively, MSU's front seven once again proved hard to stop, as South Carolina had only 243 total yards, and just 34 on the ground. Senior defensive end A.J. Jefferson built on his strong week one performance with two more tackles for loss, including one sack in his total of five tackles Saturday. Senior linebacker Richie Brown led the Bulldogs with 10 total tackles on the night with two tackles for loss and a sack of his own.

"I like the way we're moving," Jefferson said after the game. "The mood coming out, we were just ready to unleash on them."

Mississippi State plays at LSU (1-1) next Saturday at 6 p.m. in Tiger Stadium on ESPN2. LSU, which will be opening its 2016 SEC slate, ousted Jacksonville State 34-13 in Baton Rouge Saturday night.