Photo by: Chamberlain Smith/MSU Athletics
Notebook: It's Not Leach's First Record Rally
September 06, 2021 | Football
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State erased a 20-point deficit in the fourth quarter during its 35-34 victory over Louisiana Tech to start the season over the weekend.
The Bulldogs received two rushing touchdowns from Jo'quavious Marks and a scoring strike from Will Rogers to Jaden Walley in the final 12:01 to go along with two three-and-outs, a 70-yard kickoff return and a blocked field goal by Jaden Crumedy on the game's final play.
"I think the game showed what we are capable of and to never quit and push through to the end," said head coach Mike Leach. "I think it illustrated that. Hopefully we learned that lesson. It was pretty gritty of our team and our players to push through and win one where we had a lot of adversity, which mostly we created ourselves with the penalties and the turnovers. But there's a lot of teams that wouldn't have found a way to win that game and we did."
It was the largest comeback in school history, topping the time it rallied back at Auburn down 16-0 in the final 16 minutes to win 18-16 on Oct. 9, 1999.
It also marked the third time Leach has led a record-setting comeback in his career. He guided Texas Tech back from a 31-point deficit to defeat Minnesota 44-41 in the 2006 Insight Bowl, which has since been tied for the largest bowl comeback in FBS history.
Leach also brought Washington State back from a 21-point fourth quarter deficit to win in triple overtime against Boise State in 2017.
"The starting point is to not get behind," Leach said. "I think we need to quit chasing those records, play well and stay ahead."
CHEERS FOR RARA
Wide receiver Rara Thomas earned the starting nod as a true freshman in MSU's opener last Saturday.
Thomas finished with three catches for 55 yards, including a 21-yard reception on the second play from scrimmage.
"He reacted real well," Leach said. "He caught the second ball of the game and then he turned up field and ran right through the defender and put the defender on his back."
The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder from Eufaula, Ala., was one of three newcomers that drew starts at receiver in that contest along with transfers Jamire Calvin and Makai Polk.
"Rara has been very good at practice," Leach said." He's kind of a big target and has got good range to him. He's quick coming out of his cuts. He wasn't afraid to be out there. He did what he's been doing for a long time."
LASHLEY RECEIVES PRAISE
Also receiving praise for his debut performance for the Bulldogs was redshirt senior right tackle Scott Lashley.
The former Alabama transfer and West Point native received an in-house Player of the Game award dubbed "The Bone" for his efforts.
"I thought he played well and played consistently," Leach said. "He had one play where he blocked three guys, which was impressive. We'd need a lot less players if we had a few more Scott Lashleys that can block three."
Also honored as Players of the Game by the coaching staff were Crumedy (Tough Man, Special Teams), Marks (The Mechanic) and Lideatrick Griffin (Special Teams).
SO WE MEET AGAIN
Leach will welcome two of his former assistant coaches to town when NC State visits on Saturday at 6 p.m. on ESPN2.
Cornerbacks coach Brian Mitchell and Ruffin McNeill, who serves as a special assistant to Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren, both served on Leach's staff at Texas Tech. Mitchell coached corners for Leach from 2006-09 while McNeill worked a full decade in Lubbock under Leach in a variety of roles.
McNeill was the linebackers coach from 2000-02, special teams coordinator from 2003-06, defensive line coach in 2007 and defensive coordinator from 2008-09. He also held the title of assistant head coach from 2003-09.
"It'll be good to see them for like 30 seconds, that's about what you get," Leach said. "It isn't some wistful walk down memory lane like it would be if you didn't have the pressure of a football game. It would be great to take them all over Starkville."
The Bulldogs received two rushing touchdowns from Jo'quavious Marks and a scoring strike from Will Rogers to Jaden Walley in the final 12:01 to go along with two three-and-outs, a 70-yard kickoff return and a blocked field goal by Jaden Crumedy on the game's final play.
"I think the game showed what we are capable of and to never quit and push through to the end," said head coach Mike Leach. "I think it illustrated that. Hopefully we learned that lesson. It was pretty gritty of our team and our players to push through and win one where we had a lot of adversity, which mostly we created ourselves with the penalties and the turnovers. But there's a lot of teams that wouldn't have found a way to win that game and we did."
It was the largest comeback in school history, topping the time it rallied back at Auburn down 16-0 in the final 16 minutes to win 18-16 on Oct. 9, 1999.
It also marked the third time Leach has led a record-setting comeback in his career. He guided Texas Tech back from a 31-point deficit to defeat Minnesota 44-41 in the 2006 Insight Bowl, which has since been tied for the largest bowl comeback in FBS history.
Leach also brought Washington State back from a 21-point fourth quarter deficit to win in triple overtime against Boise State in 2017.
"The starting point is to not get behind," Leach said. "I think we need to quit chasing those records, play well and stay ahead."
CHEERS FOR RARA
Wide receiver Rara Thomas earned the starting nod as a true freshman in MSU's opener last Saturday.
Thomas finished with three catches for 55 yards, including a 21-yard reception on the second play from scrimmage.
"He reacted real well," Leach said. "He caught the second ball of the game and then he turned up field and ran right through the defender and put the defender on his back."
The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder from Eufaula, Ala., was one of three newcomers that drew starts at receiver in that contest along with transfers Jamire Calvin and Makai Polk.
"Rara has been very good at practice," Leach said." He's kind of a big target and has got good range to him. He's quick coming out of his cuts. He wasn't afraid to be out there. He did what he's been doing for a long time."
LASHLEY RECEIVES PRAISE
Also receiving praise for his debut performance for the Bulldogs was redshirt senior right tackle Scott Lashley.
The former Alabama transfer and West Point native received an in-house Player of the Game award dubbed "The Bone" for his efforts.
"I thought he played well and played consistently," Leach said. "He had one play where he blocked three guys, which was impressive. We'd need a lot less players if we had a few more Scott Lashleys that can block three."
Also honored as Players of the Game by the coaching staff were Crumedy (Tough Man, Special Teams), Marks (The Mechanic) and Lideatrick Griffin (Special Teams).
SO WE MEET AGAIN
Leach will welcome two of his former assistant coaches to town when NC State visits on Saturday at 6 p.m. on ESPN2.
Cornerbacks coach Brian Mitchell and Ruffin McNeill, who serves as a special assistant to Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren, both served on Leach's staff at Texas Tech. Mitchell coached corners for Leach from 2006-09 while McNeill worked a full decade in Lubbock under Leach in a variety of roles.
McNeill was the linebackers coach from 2000-02, special teams coordinator from 2003-06, defensive line coach in 2007 and defensive coordinator from 2008-09. He also held the title of assistant head coach from 2003-09.
"It'll be good to see them for like 30 seconds, that's about what you get," Leach said. "It isn't some wistful walk down memory lane like it would be if you didn't have the pressure of a football game. It would be great to take them all over Starkville."
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