Postgame Notes: LSU at Mississippi State
September 25, 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 50,298.
- Today marked the 115th meeting between Mississippi State and LSU, making the Tigers State's most-common opponent.
- This fall's matchup with Ole Miss will also be the 115th meeting between those two teams.
- MSU has now opened conference play against LSU five times since 2010 with a 3-2 record in such meetings.
OFFENSE
- The Bulldog offense is now 14-for-16 (87.5 percent, 11 TD, 3 FG) in the red zone this season.
- 3-for-4 today (2 TD, 1 FG).
- Today marked the seventh time that MSU has passed for 300 or more yards under Mike Leach.
- 10 different receivers caught a pass, including WR Christian Ford, who caught the first pass of his career.
- Five Bulldogs have now extended their streak of games with a reception beyond 10 games.
- RB Jo'quavious Marks, 15 games (every game of his career); WR Malik Heath, 13 games; WR Makai Polk, 13 games; WR Jaden Walley, 13 games; WR Austin Williams, 13 games.
DEFENSE
- MSU is now tied for the SEC lead with seven forced turnovers this season with South Carolina, who will kick off at 6 p.m. CT.
- MSU has at least one takeaway in 38 of its last 43 games.
- State has forced a turnover in six straight games with 13 takeaways in that span.
- The Bulldogs have collected 75 takeaways in the 43-game span dating back to Nov. 18, 2017 at Arkansas.
- MSU has intercepted a pass in 28 of the last 41 games with 38 total picks in that span.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
WR Christian Ford
- Made his first career reception for a 9-yard gain.
- Finished with two catches for 14 yards.
- Matched his career high with three receptions, all in the first quarter.
- Caught a two-point conversion pass to pull within three points in the fourth quarter.
- Carried a career-high eight times for 51 yards, which is six shy of his career high (57 yards).
- Carried a career-high 13 times for 46 yards.
- Caught nine passes for a career-high 67 yards and a touchdown.
- Touchdown pulled MSU within five points in the fourth quarter.
- Caught a 29-yard touchdown pass, which stood as State's longest play of the game.
- Has thrown a touchdown pass in 10 straight games with 19 touchdowns in that span.
- Recorded his fifth career 300-yard passing game, to move into sole possession  of second in MSU career history.
- School record: 9, Dak Prescott (2012-15).
- Recorded his ninth career 200-yard passing game, which is tied for seventh in MSU history with Derrick Taite (1993-96).
- School record: 29, Dak Prescott (2012-15).
- No. 5: 10, Nick Fitzgerald (2015-18) and Tyler Russell (2010-13).
- Completed 47 passes, which is second in MSU single-game history and tied for second in SEC single-game with Kentucky's Tim Couch (vs. Arkansas, 1998).
- Now holds five of the top six single-game marks.
- Holds the top two marks in SEC history after setting the SEC record with 50 completions last week.
- Matched his career high with three touchdown passes.
- MSU's career leader in completion percentage (71.4 percent, 408-of-571).
- 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 47-of-62 passes today (75.8 percent).
- Recorded a career-high 62 receiving yards on six catches.
- Scored his first touchdown of the season.
- Picked up a sack for a loss of nine yards.
- Recorded his seventh career interception.
- Seven interceptions leads the FBS since the start of the 2020 season.
- Tied for No. 15 among the FBS' active career leaders entering the weekend and the SEC's active career leader.
- Also broke up a pass on third down to force a punt.
- Picked up 1.0 tackle for loss.
- Picked up a sack for a loss of six yards to set up a 3rd-and-13.
- Also split a tackle for loss to end the day with 1.5.
- Recorded two quarterback hurries.
Players Mentioned
DE
/ Football
QB
/ Football
CB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
RB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
DE
/ Football
WR
/ Football
QB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
DT
/ FootballFOOTBALL | Blake Shapen Postgame vs. Northern Illinois
Saturday, September 20
FOOTBALL | Nic Mitchell Postgame vs. Northern Illinois
Saturday, September 20
FOOTBALL | Fluff Bothwell Postgame vs. Northern Illinois
Saturday, September 20
FOOTBALL | Davon Booth Postgame vs. Northern Illinois
Saturday, September 20