State Drops 28-14 Decision To No. 11 Aggies

Saturday, October 17

Starkville

3:00 PM

Mississippi State

1-3 , 1-3

#11 Texas A&M

3-1 , 3-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Texas A&M

Mississippi State

Malik Heath's 32-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter from Will Rogers was the first career score for both Bulldogs.

State Drops 28-14 Decision To No. 11 Aggies

October 17, 2020 | Football

Box Score Box Score Postgame Notes Postgame Quotes Video: Game Highlights Video: Mike Leach Postgame Press Conference Photo Gallery

By: Brian Ogden, Assistant Director/Communications

STARKVILLE – No. 11 Texas A&M built a 14-0 halftime lead and rode that momentum to a 28-14 victory over Mississippi State Saturday (Oct. 17) at Davis Wade Stadium.

The Bulldogs (1-3, 1-3 SEC) got a 60-yard interception return for a score early in the third quarter to trim the Aggie lead to 14-7 but A&M responded with a 4-play, 75-yard drive and never looked back after that.

State's other score in the game came when quarterback Will Rogers connected with Malik Heath on a 32-yard strike in the fourth quarter. It was the first career touchdown for both Bulldogs and the longest play of their MSU careers.

Defensively, State was led by Erroll Thompson's 11 tackles. Martin Emerson added nine stops and one pass breakup.

The Aggies (3-1, 3-1 SEC) struck first on their fourth drive of the game with a 3-yard touchdown run by Isaiah Spiller. On the Bulldogs' ensuing drive, Texas A&M blocked MSU's punt to take over on downs at the 1-yard line. Spiller again rushed across the line for six.

Emmanuel Forbes intercepted a deflected pass in the third quarter and took it to the end zone for MSU's first points, but the Aggies immediately answered with a 51-yard touchdown pass. Texas A&M also scored on a 6-yard pass with 8:39 left in the third quarter before the Bulldog offense put up the final points of the game in the fourth quarter.

Notables

Taking It Back

Forbes' 60-yard interception return was his second pick of the year and the first touchdown of his career. It was MSU's longest interception return since Oct. 28, 2017, when Jamal Peters took one 90 yards for a touchdown at then-No. 24 Texas A&M.

The play gave the Bulldogs a takeaway in every game this season and in 30 of their last 33 games. MSU has forced 57 turnovers in that span.

Welcome Home Will

In his first game action in Davis Wade Stadium, Rogers set a school record for single-game completion percentage (minimum 15 attempts). He completed 15-of-18 passes (83.3 percent) surpassing John Bond's 13-of-16 (81.3 percent) performance at Tulane in 1982.

Rogers set career highs in completions and yards (120), while also throwing the longest pass of his career thus far, a 32-yard touchdown to Heath.

Consistent Kicking

Brandon Ruiz extended his active streak of extra points made to 101 for his career, making kicks No. 100 and 101 against the Aggies.

Secondary Steps Up

Along with Forbes' interception, Martin Emerson set a career-high in tackles (9), and safety Londyn Craft had a career-best six stops.

Reliable Receivers

Osirus Mitchell turned in his eighth career game with five or more catches, hauling in six passes for 40 yards. JaVonta Payton extended his streak to seven straight games with a catch, the longest active streak on the team.

Quotable

"I have had player after player come in as a true freshman, and they can't even get a play off. They fumble the snap and everything else. They are usually a nervous wreck. [Will Rogers] has come out and been productive both times. You know, this is even after not having too many reps in the Kentucky game. Prior to Kentucky, he didn't have hardly any reps for a variety of reasons. He hasn't had just a ton of reps and still goes out there and is calm and composed. I think it was more impressive than many of you guys may have realized for a true freshman to be composed out there." – Mike Leach

Next Up for MSU…

State will enjoy an open date next Saturday, Oct. 24, before returning to action in a Halloween matchup at No. 2 Alabama on Oct. 31. Kickoff between the Bulldogs and Crimson Tide is slated for 6 p.m. CT and the contest will be televised by ESPN.

For more information on the Bulldogs, follow MSU football on its social media platforms by searching for "HailStateFB" on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.