Postgame Notes: NC State at Mississippi State
September 11, 2021 | Football
GENERAL
- Mississippi State won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff.
- MSU's game captain was WR Austin Williams.
- Today's attendance was 45,834.
- Two Bulldogs made their MSU debut (OL Nick Jones, K Nolan McCord)
OFFENSE
- Completed six passes for 15 or more yards, with three going for 20-plus yards.
- Nine different receivers caught a pass.
- MSU picked up 51.7 percent of its receiving yards after the catch (152-of-294).
- Five Bulldogs have now extended their streak of games with a reception beyond 10 games.
- RB Jo'quavious Marks, 13 games (every game of his career); WR Malik Heath, 11 games; WR Makai Polk, 11 games; WR Jaden Walley, 11 games; WR Austin Williams, 11 games.
- Three Bulldogs totaled 75 or more all purpose yards.
- WR Lideatrick Griffin, 122 yards; RB Dillon Johnson, 88 yards; WR Jaden Walley, 75 yards.
DEFENSE
- Recorded nine tackles for loss with 12 different players credited with at least 0.5 tackles for loss.
- Most since 11 tackles for loss at Georgia (Nov. 21, 2020).
- Picked up 3.0 sacks in the fourth quarter.
- MSU has at least one takeaway in 36 of its last 41 games.
- S Jalen Green intercepted a pass, LB Jett Johnson forced a fumble that Green recovered, S Fred Peters intercepted a pass.
- The Bulldogs have collected 73 takeaways in the 41-game span dating back to Nov. 18, 2017 at Arkansas.
- State has now forced multiple turnovers in 14 games since the start of 2019.
- MSU forced multiple turnovers in five games in 2020.
- MSU has intercepted a pass in 26 of the last 39 games with 36 total picks in that span.
- Allowed just two runs of more than 10 yards.
SPECIAL TEAMS
- WR Lideatrick Griffin returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown.
- Fifth 100-yard kick return in program history.
- First 100-yard return since Brandon Holloway did so against Southern Miss (Sept. 5, 2015).
- Also MSU's first kick return touchdown since Holloway's return against the Golden Eagles.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Caught the first pass of his career for a 13-yard gain before play was erased by penalty.
- Returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown.
- Fifth 100-yard kick return in program history.
- First 100-yard return since Brandon Holloway did so against Southern Miss (Sept. 5, 2015).
- Also MSU's first kick return touchdown since Holloway's return against the Golden Eagles.
- Now has three consecutive games with 100 or more return yards dating back to Dec. 31, 2020 vs. Tulsa.
- Prior to the game against Tulsa, the last Bulldog with more than 100 kick return yards in a game was Keith Mixon (106 yards, 5 returns) vs. Arkansas on Nov. 19, 2016.Â
- One of five Bulldogs since 1992 with three or more 100-yard kick return games in their careers.
- Most: 4 by Leon Berry, Fred Reid, Derek Pegues and Pig Prather.
WR Malik Heath
- First reception of the season went for a 21-yard touchdown.
- Caught six passes for a career-high and team-leading 70 yards.
- Made a diving then-career-long reception for a gain of 16 yards.
- Added a career-long grab of 26 yards.
QB Will Rogers
- Has thrown a touchdown pass in eight straight games with 14 touchdowns in that span.
- MSU's career leader in completion percentage (70.4 percent, 311-of-442).
- Career No. 2: 64.1 percent by K.J. Costello (134-of-209; 2020)
- Career No. 3: 62.8 percent by Dak Prescott (734-of-1169; 2012-15)
- Completed 33-of-49 passes today (67.3 percent).
- Recorded his seventh career 200-yard passing game, which is tied for ninth in MSU history with Tony Shell (1988-90).
- School record: 29, Dak Prescott (2012-15).
- No. 8: 8, Don Smith (1983-86).
- Completed 33 passes, which is tied for 10th in MSU single-game history.
- Holds three of the top five single-game marks.
WR Jaden Walley
- Caught a 4-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter.
- Also returned a punt 15 yards.
- Made a career-long reception for a 34-yard gain.
- Also returned a punt 13 yards.
LB Aaron Brule
- Picked up 0.5 tackles for loss.
- Recorded the first sack of his MSU career.
- Made a career-high 1.5 tackles for loss.
- Matched his career high with 1.0 sack.
- Added a quarterback hurry.
- Picked up 0.5 tackles for loss.
- Led MSU with a career-high 11 tackles.
- Picked up a career-high 1.5 tackles for loss.
- Recorded his first career sack.
- Intercepted the second pass of his career and first as a Bulldog.
- Interception came in the end zone for a touchback in the first quarter.
- Last interception came while playing for Texas on Oct. 31, 2020, at Oklahoma State.
- Recovered a fumble for the first time in his career.
- Matched his career high with two pass breakups.
- Added 0.5 tackles for loss.
LB Jett Johnson
- Recorded a career-high nine tackles, which is more than any of his previous season totals.
- Entered 2021 with five career tackles.
- Five tackles today were solo stops.
- Forced his first career fumble.
- Added a pass breakup.
DE Aaron Odom
- Recorded his first sack of the season.
- Now has 3.5 in his career.
- Picked up 0.5 tackles for loss.
- Picked up 0.5 tackles for loss.
LB Tyrus Wheat
- Broke up a pass and has a pass defense in both games this season.
- Booted a 56-yard punt, his first 50-plus yard kick of the year.
- Now has 22 punts of 50-plus yards in his career.
- Made his MSU debut.
- Kicked an extra point and a 32-yard field goal for his first career points.
- Boasts an active streak of 122 consecutive extra points made in his career.
- Made two today.
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