Photo by: Kevin Snyder/MSU Athletics
Bulldogs' Defense Bears Down At Arizona
September 11, 2022 | Football
TUCSON, Ariz., -Â Although "Bear Down" is Arizona's battle cry, it was Mississippi State's defense that seemed to embody that mentality on Saturday night in a 39-17 win against the Wildcats.
The Bulldogs saw Arizona methodically march 75 yards on the game's opening drive that ended in a touchdown for the Wildcats. But from there, MSU was able to shore things up defensively and only surrendered two more scores on short fields the rest of the way.
Arizona rushed for 39 yards on its first possession, 34 of which came on Michael Wiley's opening touchdown. The Wildcats would only net one more rushing yard the remainder of the game.
"The first drive, they punched it in and we had to regroup," said linebacker Nathaniel Watson. "As we regrouped, we knew we had each other's backs and went out there and fought."
The Bulldogs broke up nine passes in the game while Watson, Jalen Green and Emmanuel Forbes all snagged interceptions. Forbes also had another pick in the end zone that was eventually overturned following a replay.
"We saw on film that their quarterback stares down his routes," Watson said. "Coach harped on it all week about him staring down routes and when we got to the game, he was staring them down then. That really helped us."
Watson's interception late in the third quarter is what ultimately helped create some separation for State. Tyrus Wheat tipped Jayden de Laura's pass up and into Watson's awaiting arms and the senior from Maplesville, Alabama raced 51 yards up the right sideline on the return before being tripped up at the 11-yard line.
"I just remember coach (Zach) Arnett saying that we need some big-time players to make big plays," Watson said. "Tyrus Wheat batted the pass and I saw was the ball in the air and all I thought was 'get the ball' and that happened."
It was the first interception of Watson's career. The Bulldogs were able to punch it in for a touchdown four plays later to take a 32-17 lead and never looked back en route to their 2-0 start to the season.
Jett Johnson was Mississippi State's top tackler with seven stops while Randy Charlton and Collin Duncan were both credited with sacks. Charlton also provided pressure early in the first quarter that led to de Laura going down for an 8-yard loss.
Another crucial component in the Bulldogs' success defensively was simply getting off the field. Arizona was only 4 of 14 on third downs during the contest and converted just 1 of 4 fourth down attempts.
"Key stops on fourth down I thought were really critical to this game," said head coach Mike Leach.
Saturday marked the 22nd time in 26 games under Arnett that MSU has held its opponent under 200 yards rushing. It was the 11th time that Arnett and the Bulldogs have kept a team from eclipsing the century mark on the ground as well.
Mississippi State will try to maintain its momentum next Saturday as it opens Southeastern Conference play at LSU beginning at 5 p.m.
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The Bulldogs saw Arizona methodically march 75 yards on the game's opening drive that ended in a touchdown for the Wildcats. But from there, MSU was able to shore things up defensively and only surrendered two more scores on short fields the rest of the way.
Arizona rushed for 39 yards on its first possession, 34 of which came on Michael Wiley's opening touchdown. The Wildcats would only net one more rushing yard the remainder of the game.
"The first drive, they punched it in and we had to regroup," said linebacker Nathaniel Watson. "As we regrouped, we knew we had each other's backs and went out there and fought."
The Bulldogs broke up nine passes in the game while Watson, Jalen Green and Emmanuel Forbes all snagged interceptions. Forbes also had another pick in the end zone that was eventually overturned following a replay.
"We saw on film that their quarterback stares down his routes," Watson said. "Coach harped on it all week about him staring down routes and when we got to the game, he was staring them down then. That really helped us."
Watson's interception late in the third quarter is what ultimately helped create some separation for State. Tyrus Wheat tipped Jayden de Laura's pass up and into Watson's awaiting arms and the senior from Maplesville, Alabama raced 51 yards up the right sideline on the return before being tripped up at the 11-yard line.
"I just remember coach (Zach) Arnett saying that we need some big-time players to make big plays," Watson said. "Tyrus Wheat batted the pass and I saw was the ball in the air and all I thought was 'get the ball' and that happened."
It was the first interception of Watson's career. The Bulldogs were able to punch it in for a touchdown four plays later to take a 32-17 lead and never looked back en route to their 2-0 start to the season.
Jett Johnson was Mississippi State's top tackler with seven stops while Randy Charlton and Collin Duncan were both credited with sacks. Charlton also provided pressure early in the first quarter that led to de Laura going down for an 8-yard loss.
Another crucial component in the Bulldogs' success defensively was simply getting off the field. Arizona was only 4 of 14 on third downs during the contest and converted just 1 of 4 fourth down attempts.
"Key stops on fourth down I thought were really critical to this game," said head coach Mike Leach.
Saturday marked the 22nd time in 26 games under Arnett that MSU has held its opponent under 200 yards rushing. It was the 11th time that Arnett and the Bulldogs have kept a team from eclipsing the century mark on the ground as well.
Mississippi State will try to maintain its momentum next Saturday as it opens Southeastern Conference play at LSU beginning at 5 p.m.
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