First-And-10 To Know: State vs. Arkansas

STARKVILLE – Six games completed, the second half of the season begins for Mississippi State.
Saturday morning at 11 a.m., MSU is set to square off with Arkansas as the Bulldogs begin the back half of their 2023 slate. That much you know. However, there are several things you might not.
So, let's have a look at 10 items to be aware of headed into State's showdown against the Razorbacks:

State is looking for its second-straight victory over Arkansas. Last season, the Bulldogs hosted the Razorbacks at Davis Wade Stadium and earned a 40-17 triumph. MSU quarterback Will Rogers set a new Southeastern Conference record for career completions in the contest. Rogers threw for 395 yards and three touchdowns. The Bulldogs controlled things all day, getting out to an early 14-0 lead in the first quarter. In fact, State scored the game's first 21 points. Arkansas trailed by double digits the rest of the way.
The Bulldogs have had a ton of recent success against the Razorbacks. State has topped Arkansas on the gridiron in eight of the last 11 meetings dating back to 2012. MSU has won in three of its last four trips to Fayetteville, with the lone setback in that span being a 31-28 loss in 2021.
State linebacker Jett Johnson – who led the SEC in tackles a season ago – is again right near the top in takedowns. Johnson enters play Saturday second in the league with his 66 total tackles over his six games played. He sits only three tackles behind the conference leader, who he'll be opposing on Saturday.
For now at least, Johnson is looking up at Arkansas linebacker Jaheim Thomas. Thomas has 69 stops this season, three more than Johnson. However, it bears noting Thomas has accumulated his total over seven games while Johnson and the Bulldogs have only played six.
There'll be a familiar face wearing Arkansas gear during Saturday's affair. Deke Adams is in his second year as the defensive line coach for the Razorbacks. The Meridian, Mississippi native spent the 2019 season as the defensive line coach at State.
MSU receiver Lideatrick Griffin faces the Razorbacks having caught at least one pass in 21 straight games. His streak began on September 25, 2021, against LSU. He's also caught two or more passes in 12 straight games – a streak that started against Alabama in October of last year.
As always, turnovers could be a key factor in Saturday's game and both teams have a knack for creating them. State has recorded at least one takeaway in nine of its last 11 games dating back to last season. The Bulldogs have forced two or more turnovers in a game on 16 different occasions since 2020.
Meanwhile Arkansas has recorded 11 total takeaways this season. Arkansas' turnover margin (+4) is the second-best mark in the SEC so far this year. The Razorbacks have also returned a nation-leading three interceptions for touchdowns this season.
Maybe the key Razorback to keep eyes on Saturday will be quarterback K.J. Jefferson. He's completed 124 of his 188 passes for 1,450 yards and 14 touchdowns this year while also rushing for 162 yards and a score. He's accounted for 82 total touchdowns in his Arkansas career, making him the school's all-time leader on the career touchdown responsibility list.
After Saturday, Mississippi State will turn its attention to a road game at Auburn on October 28 ahead of a return home to Davis Wade Stadium, where the Bulldogs haven't played since a victory over Western Michigan back on October 7. MSU's first game back in Starkville will be homecoming on November 4 against Kentucky. That game will feature the return of the iconic interlocking MSU logo to the Bulldogs' uniforms – worn in honor of the 1998 SEC Western Division championship team.

Mississippi State University Athletics

First-And-10 To Know: State vs. Arkansas

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Lideatrick Griffin

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