By The Numbers: Where MSU Ranked in 2018
January 09, 2019 | Football
by Brandon Langlois, Associate Director/Communications
STARKVILLE – In addition to finishing the 2018 season ranked 25th in the final Amway Coaches Poll, head coach Joe Moorhead's Mississippi State Bulldogs closed the year among the nation's best in a number of team statistical categories.
The Bulldogs featured arguably the most dominant defensive unit in school history and in all of college football. Directed by defensive coordinator/safeties coach Bob Shoop, who was a finalist for the prestigious Broyles Award, MSU was the only school in the country to finish in the top 10 of all four major defensive categories. State led the nation in total defense (263.1), finished second in scoring defense (13.2) – behind national champion Clemson (13.1) – second in rushing defense (95.08) and seventh in passing defense (168.0).
Overall, MSU was No. 1 in the rugged SEC in 29 different defensive categories while 10 of those led the nation. Below is a look at where the Bulldogs ranked in 31 different defensive categories in the FBS and SEC this season:
From a historical perspective, the 2018 defense was one of the best in the 119-year history of MSU's program. Below is a look at where this year's unit compares to previous years.
* - denotes program best
Here's a deeper look at the Bulldogs this season by the numbers:
Offense
300 – MSU rushed for 300 or more yards in four games (twice in league play), the most in the SEC and tied for 13th in the FBS. State's season-high rushing total came at Kansas State (384) in Week 2.
13 – Four different Bulldogs combined for an SEC-best 13 individual 100-yard rushing performances, led by quarterback Nick Fitzgerald who was responsible for seven. In addition to Fitzgerald, running back Kylin Hill had three, running back Aeris Williams turned in two and quarterback Keytaon Thompson added one.
223.62 – State featured one of the top rushing attacks in the SEC, finishing second for the second straight season with a 223.62 yards per game average. The Bulldogs averaged 5.66 yards per carry, also good for second in the conference. MSU has finished each of the last three seasons averaging at least 200 yards per contest.
20 – The Bulldogs' eight games with 250 or more yards rushing in 2018 helped them to 20 such games since the start of the 2016 season. MSU is 18-2 in those games. No school in the SEC has topped the 250-yard rushing mark more times than MSU during that span.
9,814 – Fitzgerald finished his collegiate career as only the second MSU quarterback with 9,000+ career total offense yards (9,814), joining Dak Prescott (11,897). In addition, Fitzgerald finished inside the top 15 in SEC history for career total offense yards.
3,607 – Fitzgerald became the only quarterback in SEC history to rush for more than 3,000 yards in a career. With his 195 yard outburst against No. 6 Auburn, Fitzgerald passed Florida's Tim Tebow (2006-09) for most career rushing yards by a quarterback in SEC History. He finished his career with 3,607.
101 – With two touchdowns in the Outback Bowl, Fitzgerald became the second player in MSU history (Prescott – 114) to be responsible for 100 or more touchdowns in a career. His 101 touchdowns responsible for are tied with Peyton Manning and Chris Leak for sixth in SEC history.
46 – Of Fitzgerald's 101 career touchdowns, an MSU record 46 came on the ground. The 46 rushing touchdowns also tied for fourth in SEC history with LSU's Kevin Faulk (1995-98).
21 – Fitzgerald closed out his MSU tenure with 21 individual 100-yard rushing games, the most in school history and the most by a quarterback in SEC history.
66 – MSU racked up 66 plays from scrimmage of 20 or more yards, the most by the Bulldogs in a single season since 2015 (68).
Defense
29 – Of the 829 plays MSU's opponents' offenses ran during the regular season, only 29 (3.5 percent) gained 25+ yards or resulted in a touchdown. That figure was the best in the nation.
15 – MSU allowed just 15 touchdowns, the fewest in the country on the year and since 2011 – Alabama (12) and LSU (15).
103 – State set the single-season school record for tackles for loss with 103, bettering the previous best of 98 set in 2015. Individually, All-Americans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons and defensive end Montez Sweat led the Bulldogs with 17 and 14, respectively. MSU's 103 tackles for loss were the second most in the SEC, behind Alabama's 107; however, State led the league in tackles for loss per game (7.92.).
58.5 – In 26 games played together over the last two seasons, Simmons and Sweat combined for 58.5 tackles for loss. Simmons had 29, while Sweat had 29.5. Simmons finished his three-year career with 32.5, good for sixth in school history.
0 – The Bulldogs did not allow a rushing touchdown the entire home slate of 2018 and opponents managed only three touchdowns on State in Davis Wade Stadium this season, spanning 28 quarters. MSU will carry a streak of 10 consecutive quarters without allowing a touchdown at home into next season.
2 – MSU and Fresno State were the only teams that did not allow an opponent to score 30 or more points during the entire 2018 season.
1.09 – MSU's opponents averaged 11.42 possessions per game and the Bulldogs held them to 1.09 points per possession, which ranked fifth in the nation.
9.93 – Only six defenses in the nation allowed fewer than 10 yards per completion and MSU was one of those. State surrendered 9.93 yards per completion on the year.
4.85 – The Bulldogs forced opponents to grind out an average of 4.85 plays before scoring a point. That figure was the second best in the country behind national champion Clemson (5.19).
9 – MSU and Clemson led the nation in games allowing fewer than 14 points (9).
7 – State's seven games allowing fewer than 100-yards rushing were the most in the SEC and tied for the second most in the nation. MSU was 6-1 in those games.
10 – Speaking of 100-yard rushing games, MSU has won 10 straight against SEC teams when holding its opponent below the century mark dating back to the 34-29 win at No. 8 LSU in 2014. The Bulldogs did that four times this season and most recently in their last game on Nov. 22 at Ole Miss.
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow the MSU football team on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateFB."
STARKVILLE – In addition to finishing the 2018 season ranked 25th in the final Amway Coaches Poll, head coach Joe Moorhead's Mississippi State Bulldogs closed the year among the nation's best in a number of team statistical categories.
The Bulldogs featured arguably the most dominant defensive unit in school history and in all of college football. Directed by defensive coordinator/safeties coach Bob Shoop, who was a finalist for the prestigious Broyles Award, MSU was the only school in the country to finish in the top 10 of all four major defensive categories. State led the nation in total defense (263.1), finished second in scoring defense (13.2) – behind national champion Clemson (13.1) – second in rushing defense (95.08) and seventh in passing defense (168.0).
Overall, MSU was No. 1 in the rugged SEC in 29 different defensive categories while 10 of those led the nation. Below is a look at where the Bulldogs ranked in 31 different defensive categories in the FBS and SEC this season:
| Category | Stat | FBS Rank | SEC Rank |
| Scoring Defense | 13.2 | 2 | 1 |
| TD Allowed | 15 | 1 | 1 |
| Points Allowed | 171 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Defense | 263.1 | 1 | 1 |
| Yards/Play Allowed | 4.13 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Yards Allowed | 3420 | 2 | 1 |
| Passing Yards Allowed | 2184 | 9 | 1 |
| Rushing Yards Allowed | 1236 | 3 | 1 |
| Passing Defense | 168.0 | 7 | 1 |
| Pass Efficiency Defense | 101.47 | 2 | 1 |
| Passing TD Allowed | 8 | T-1 | 1 |
| Yards/Attempt Allowed | 5.5 | 1 | 1 |
| Rushing Defense | 95.08 | 2 | 1 |
| Rushing TD Allowed | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| Yards/Rush Allowed | 2.87 | 4 | 1 |
| Opp. 3rd Down Conv. % | 26.55 | 3 | 1 |
| Opp. 3rd Down Conv. | 47 | T-2 | 1 |
| Opp. Red Zone TD | 10 | 1 | 1 |
| Opp. Red Zone TD % | 29.41 | 1 | 1 |
| Opp. 1st Downs | 212 | 9 | 1 |
| Opp. 1st Downs/Game | 16.3 | 8 | 1 |
| Tackles For Loss | 103 | T-11 | 2 |
| Tackles For Loss/Game | 7.92 | T-8 | 1 |
| Tackles For Loss Yards | 461 | 5 | 1 |
| Sacks | 39 | T-12 | 2 |
| Sacks/Game | 3.0 | T-10 | T-1 |
| Sack Yards | 311 | 3 | 1 |
| 10+ Yard Plays Allowed | 137 | 10 | 1 |
| 30+ Yard Plays Allowed | 11 | T-2 | 1 |
| 40+ Yard Plays Allowed | 5 | T-3 | T-1 |
| 50+ Yard Plays Allowed | 1 | T-1 | T-1 |
From a historical perspective, the 2018 defense was one of the best in the 119-year history of MSU's program. Below is a look at where this year's unit compares to previous years.
| Category | 2018 | Best at MSU since |
| Scoring Defense | 13.2 | 1981 (12.4) |
| Total Defense | 263.1 | 1999 (222.5) |
| Rushing Defense | 95.08 | 1999 (66.9)* |
| Passing Defense | 168.0 | 2002 (153.9) |
* - denotes program best
Here's a deeper look at the Bulldogs this season by the numbers:
Offense
300 – MSU rushed for 300 or more yards in four games (twice in league play), the most in the SEC and tied for 13th in the FBS. State's season-high rushing total came at Kansas State (384) in Week 2.
13 – Four different Bulldogs combined for an SEC-best 13 individual 100-yard rushing performances, led by quarterback Nick Fitzgerald who was responsible for seven. In addition to Fitzgerald, running back Kylin Hill had three, running back Aeris Williams turned in two and quarterback Keytaon Thompson added one.
223.62 – State featured one of the top rushing attacks in the SEC, finishing second for the second straight season with a 223.62 yards per game average. The Bulldogs averaged 5.66 yards per carry, also good for second in the conference. MSU has finished each of the last three seasons averaging at least 200 yards per contest.
20 – The Bulldogs' eight games with 250 or more yards rushing in 2018 helped them to 20 such games since the start of the 2016 season. MSU is 18-2 in those games. No school in the SEC has topped the 250-yard rushing mark more times than MSU during that span.
9,814 – Fitzgerald finished his collegiate career as only the second MSU quarterback with 9,000+ career total offense yards (9,814), joining Dak Prescott (11,897). In addition, Fitzgerald finished inside the top 15 in SEC history for career total offense yards.
3,607 – Fitzgerald became the only quarterback in SEC history to rush for more than 3,000 yards in a career. With his 195 yard outburst against No. 6 Auburn, Fitzgerald passed Florida's Tim Tebow (2006-09) for most career rushing yards by a quarterback in SEC History. He finished his career with 3,607.
101 – With two touchdowns in the Outback Bowl, Fitzgerald became the second player in MSU history (Prescott – 114) to be responsible for 100 or more touchdowns in a career. His 101 touchdowns responsible for are tied with Peyton Manning and Chris Leak for sixth in SEC history.
46 – Of Fitzgerald's 101 career touchdowns, an MSU record 46 came on the ground. The 46 rushing touchdowns also tied for fourth in SEC history with LSU's Kevin Faulk (1995-98).
21 – Fitzgerald closed out his MSU tenure with 21 individual 100-yard rushing games, the most in school history and the most by a quarterback in SEC history.
66 – MSU racked up 66 plays from scrimmage of 20 or more yards, the most by the Bulldogs in a single season since 2015 (68).
Defense
29 – Of the 829 plays MSU's opponents' offenses ran during the regular season, only 29 (3.5 percent) gained 25+ yards or resulted in a touchdown. That figure was the best in the nation.
15 – MSU allowed just 15 touchdowns, the fewest in the country on the year and since 2011 – Alabama (12) and LSU (15).
103 – State set the single-season school record for tackles for loss with 103, bettering the previous best of 98 set in 2015. Individually, All-Americans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons and defensive end Montez Sweat led the Bulldogs with 17 and 14, respectively. MSU's 103 tackles for loss were the second most in the SEC, behind Alabama's 107; however, State led the league in tackles for loss per game (7.92.).
58.5 – In 26 games played together over the last two seasons, Simmons and Sweat combined for 58.5 tackles for loss. Simmons had 29, while Sweat had 29.5. Simmons finished his three-year career with 32.5, good for sixth in school history.
0 – The Bulldogs did not allow a rushing touchdown the entire home slate of 2018 and opponents managed only three touchdowns on State in Davis Wade Stadium this season, spanning 28 quarters. MSU will carry a streak of 10 consecutive quarters without allowing a touchdown at home into next season.
2 – MSU and Fresno State were the only teams that did not allow an opponent to score 30 or more points during the entire 2018 season.
1.09 – MSU's opponents averaged 11.42 possessions per game and the Bulldogs held them to 1.09 points per possession, which ranked fifth in the nation.
9.93 – Only six defenses in the nation allowed fewer than 10 yards per completion and MSU was one of those. State surrendered 9.93 yards per completion on the year.
4.85 – The Bulldogs forced opponents to grind out an average of 4.85 plays before scoring a point. That figure was the second best in the country behind national champion Clemson (5.19).
9 – MSU and Clemson led the nation in games allowing fewer than 14 points (9).
7 – State's seven games allowing fewer than 100-yards rushing were the most in the SEC and tied for the second most in the nation. MSU was 6-1 in those games.
10 – Speaking of 100-yard rushing games, MSU has won 10 straight against SEC teams when holding its opponent below the century mark dating back to the 34-29 win at No. 8 LSU in 2014. The Bulldogs did that four times this season and most recently in their last game on Nov. 22 at Ole Miss.
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow the MSU football team on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateFB."
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