Postgame Notes: Mississippi State at Vanderbilt
October 23, 2021 | Football
GENERAL
- Vanderbilt won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. Mississippi State received the opening kickoff.
- MSU's game captain was WR Austin Williams.
- Four Bulldogs made their MSU debuts: QB Chance Lovertich, S Kyle Cass and S Corey Ellington and LB John Lewis.
- The 39-point margin of victory is State's eighth-largest margin ever in a game outside of Davis Wade Stadium.
- It is State's fourth-largest margin in a true road game and second-largest in a true road game against an SEC opponent.
- It is the Bulldogs largest road or neutral site margin since a 45-point win at Memphis on Sept. 1, 2011 (W, 59-14).
- It is MSU largest margin of victory in a road or neutral site SEC game since a 40-point win at Kentucky on Oct. 29,1994Â (W, 47-7).
OFFENSE
- Totaled 522 yards of offense, making State's second 500-yard game under Mike Leach.
- Passed for 463 yards today, which is fourth in school history.
- Today marked the 10th time State has passed for 300 or more yards under Mike Leach.
- It was State's fifth 400-yard passing game under Leach.
- State has thrown 19 passing touchdowns this season, which is tied for eighth in MSU single-season history.
- Tied with the 2013 and 2010 teams.
- No. 6: 19 by the 2019 and 2011 teams.
- MSU possessed the ball for a season-high 39:02, which is also MSU's high under Mike Leach.
- Highest since 40:09 at Arkansas, Nov. 2, 2019.
- Ran 50 plays in the first half alone.
- Completed 47 passes today, which is tied for second in MSU single-game history.
- Tied: 47 vs. LSU, Sept. 25, 2021.
- School Record: 50 at Memphis, Sept. 18, 2021.
- Completed passes to 13 different receivers, which stands as a season high.
- The Bulldog offense is 26-for-29 (89.7 percent, 19 TD, 7 FG) in the red zone this season.
- 6-for-6 today (5 TD, 1 FG).
- MSU has completed 297 passes this season, which ranks third in MSU single-season history.
- No. 2: 331, 2015.
DEFENSE
- Did not allow a touchdown, marking the Bulldogs' first game without allowing a touchdown since a 35-3Â victory at Ole Miss on Nov. 22, 2018.
- Held Vanderbilt to 155 yards of total offense, which is the sixth-lowest total allowed by a Mike Leach-coached team.
- The Bulldogs have held two opponents below 160 total yards under Leach (157, at Kentucky, Oct. 10, 2020).
- Held Vanderbilt to 42 total plays, the Bulldogs lowest total since at least 2000.
- School Record: 35 vs. Samford, Sept. 21, 1963.
- Vanderbilt's five first downs are the fewest allowed by a Mike Leach-coached team.
- Previous: 7 vs. SE Louisiana (2002) and vs. North Texas (2000).
- School Record: 1 vs. Samford, Sept. 21, 1963.
- The Bulldogs have held three opponents to 12 or fewer first downs under Leach.
- Held Vanderbilt to 16 plays in the first half and allowed just two first downs.
- Allowed 76 total yards in the first half with zero rushing yards.
- Vanderbilt was 1-for-11Â on third down conversions.
- The Commodores were 0-for-4 in the first half.
- Vanderbilt ran the ball just 17 times, which trails only Houston's 16 on Oct. 4, 1969, in MSU history.
- State now has a takeaway in 40 of its last 46 games with 77 takeaways in that span.
- The Bulldogs have an interception in 30 of their last 44 games.
- CB Emmanuel Forbes picked off a pass on the first play of a drive following an MSU interception and returned it 22 yards.
- Four Bulldogs made their first career tackles: LB John Lewis, S Corey Ellington, LB Ty Cooper and S Janari Dean.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
WR Christian Ford
- Matched his career long reception with a 24-yard catch.
- Returned his first kickoffs since Sept. 18 at Memphis.
- Returned twice for 76 total yards.
- Caught four passes for 22 yards.
- Caught the second pass of his career for a 6-yard touchdown.
- Made his MSU debut.
- Was 5-for-6 for 77 yards with a touchdown.
- Has caught 109 passes in his career, which is tied for 10th in MSU history with Chris Smith (2009-12).
- No. 9: 116, Mardye McDole (1977-80).
- Marks holds the MSU career record for receptions by a running back.
- Scored his team-leading third rushing touchdown of the year and sixth of his career.
- Second on the team this season with five total touchdowns and eight for his career.
- Turned in his second career multi-touchdown game.
- Leads the team with six touchdowns this year.
- Caught a 31-yard touchdown pass and a 9-yard scoring pass.
- Threw a career-high four touchdown passes, which is tied for fifth-most in MSU single-game history.
- Has thrown 18 passing touchdowns in 2021, which is fifth in MSU season history.
- No. 4: 21, Nick Fitzgerald, 2016.
- Sophomore record: 21, Nick Fitzgerald, 2016.
- Has 29 touchdown passes in his career, which is eighth in MSU history.
- No. 7 is 31, Don Smith, 1983-86
- Broke his own school record for consecutive completions, connecting on his first 14 passes of the day.
- Previous: 12 by Rogers, Louisiana Tech (Sept. 4, 2021) and K.J. Costello, Arkansas (Oct. 3, 2020).
- Now has six 300-yard passing game this season, which is second in MSU season history
- School record is 7, Dak Prescott, 2015.
- Boasts eight career 300-yard passing games, which is second in MSU history.
- School record is 9, Dak Prescott, 2012-15.
- Posted his seventh 200-yard passing game this season, which is tied for fourth MSU single-season history.
- No. 3: 8, Tyler Russell (2012).
- School record: 12, Dak Prescott (2015, 2014).
- Now has 12 career 200-yard passing games, which is second in MSU history.
- School record: 29, Dak Prescott (2012-15).
- Has completed 291Â passes this season, which is second in MSU single-season history.Â
- School record: 316, Dak Prescott (2015).
- Has 530Â career completions, which is second in MSU history.Â
- School record: 734, Dak Prescott (2012-15).
- Has now passed for 2,546Â passing yards this season, which ranks fourth in MSU single-season history.
- No. 3: 2,897, Tyler Russell (2012).
- Boasts 4,522Â career passing yards, which is ninth in MSU history
- No. 8: 4,621, John Bond (1980-83).
- Completed 27-of-37 passes for 263 yards in the first half with three touchdowns.
- Was 14-of-15 in the first quarter for 148 yards passing.
- Caught a career-high five passes, surpassing his career total, for a career-high 52 yards.
- Scored his first career touchdown and added a career-long 28-yard reception.
- Recorded the third sack of his MSU career.
- Picked up 0.5 tackles for loss.
- Picked up 0.5 tackles for loss.
- Intercepted the eighth pass of his career, which leads all active SEC players.
- Returned the interception 22 yards.
- Tied for the FBS lead since the start of the 2020 season with eight interceptions.
- Recorded his team-leading third sack of the year.
- Recorded 1.0 sack.
- Now has 8.0 sacks in 16 career games at MSU.
- Matched his season-long with a 56-yard punt.
- Averaged 51.5 yards per punt.
- Boasts an active streak of 128 consecutive extra points made in his career.
- Made six today
- Also kicked a 36-yard field goal.
Players Mentioned
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