Postgame Notes: Mississippi State at Memphis
September 18, 2021 | Football
GENERAL
- Memphis won the coin toss and deferred to the second half.
- MSU's game captain was WR Austin Williams.
- Today's attendance was 43,461.
- One Bulldog made his MSU debut (P Archer Trafford).
- Mississippi State is now 14-6 all-time against Memphis in Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.
- The Bulldogs are now 16-7 all-time in Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.
OFFENSE
- The Bulldog offense is now 11-for-12 (91.7 percent, 9 TD, 2 FG) in the red zone this season.
- 4-for-5 today (3 TD, 1 FG).
- Completed an MSU and SEC single-game record 50 passes.
- Previous SEC: 47, by Kentucky, twice in 1998.
- Previous MSU: 45 at Ole Miss (Nov. 28, 2020).
- Tied for sixth-most by any Mike Leach-coached team.Â
- Attempted 67 passes, which ranks second in school history.
- Today marked the sixth time that MSU has passed for 300 or more yards under Mike Leach.
- Five Bulldogs have now extended their streak of games with a reception beyond 10 games.
- RB Jo'quavious Marks, 14 games (every game of his career); WR Malik Heath, 12 games; WR Makai Polk, 12 games; WR Jaden Walley, 12 games; WR Austin Williams, 12 games.
- MSU's field goal in the first quarter capped a 17-play drive, which is State's longest scoring drive in terms of plays this year.
- Outgained Memphis, 241-89, in total offense in the first half alone.
- Ran 43 plays in the first half, while holding Memphis to just 20 snaps.
DEFENSE
- Held the Memphis offense to 246 total yards.
- The Tigers led the NCAA in total offense entering the matchup, averaging 633.5 yards per game.
- Held Memphis to 12 first downs, which is tied for the seventh-fewest allowed by any Mike Leach-coached team.Â
- MSU has at least one takeaway in 37 of its last 42 games.
- DB Emmanuel Forbes intercepted a pass in the third quarter and returned it 21 yards to the Memphis 14-yard line.
- The Bulldogs have collected 74 takeaways in the 42-game span dating back to Nov. 18, 2017 at Arkansas.
- MSU has intercepted a pass in 27 of the last 40 games with 37 total picks in that span.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
WR Malik Heath
- Matched his career high with nine receptions for a career-high 88 yards.
- Made his first career reception for a 2-yard gain.
- Recorded his first career carry for a 4-yard gain.
- Finished with three catches for 15 yards and two carries for five yards.
- Broke a career-long 14-yard run.
- Rushed for a 3-yard touchdown.
- Added a 27-yard kickoff return.
- Caught a career-high 11 passes to lead the team.
- Made five of MSU's eight receptions on its first touchdown drive of the game.
- Recorded a career-high 136 yards through the air.
- Second career 100-yard receiving game.
- MSU's highest receiving yard total since WR Jaden Walley totaled 176 at Ole Miss (Nov. 28, 2020).
- Caught a 41-yard pass that stands as State's longest play from scrimmage this year.
- Added a 36-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter.
- Plays were eighth and ninth career 20-plus-yard receptions.
- Has thrown a touchdown pass in nine straight games with 17Â touchdowns in that span.
- Completed 50 passes, which broke his own MSU single-game record.
- Previous: 45 by Will Rogers at Ole Miss (Nov. 28, 2020).
- Now holds four of the top five single-game marks in program history.
- Attempted a school-record 67 passes.
- Previous: 61 by Will Rogers at Ole Miss (Nov. 28, 2020).
- Threw for 419 yards, which ranks eighth in MSU single-game history.
- Second career 400-yard passing game.
- Recorded his fourth career 300-yard passing game, which is tied with Kevin Fant (2001-03) for second in MSU career history.
- School record: 9, Dak Prescott (2012-15).
- Recorded his eighth career 200-yard passing game, which is tied for eighth in MSU history with Don Smith (1983-86).
- School record: 29, Dak Prescott (2012-15).
- No. 7: 9, Derrick Taite (1993-96).
- MSU's career leader in completion percentage (70.9 percent, 361-of-509).
- 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 50-of-67 passes today (74.6 percent).
- Tied for the team lead with eight total tackles.
- Recorded 1.0 tackle for loss.
- Broke up a pass on fourth down.
- Intercepted a pass in the third quarter and returned it 21 yards to the Memphis 14-yard line.
- Sixth career interception, which would be tied for the SEC active career lead and tied for 23rd among active FBS players entering the weekend.
- Tied for the team lead with eight total tackles.
- Recorded 1.0 tackle for loss.
- Made a career-long 39-yard field goal.
- Made his MSU debut and booted a long punt of 57 yards.
![Jacksonville Jaguars punter Logan Cooke (9) punts during the second quarter of an NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars defeated the Jets 48-20. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]](https://images.sidearmdev.com/resize?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdxbhsrqyrr690.cloudfront.net%2Fsidearm.nextgen.sites%2Fmsstate.sidearmsports.com%2Fimages%2F2026%2F1%2F1%2FUSATSI_27828199.jpg&height=340&type=webp)
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