One At A Time
October 05, 2023 | Football, Joel Coleman
State focused on getting important October off to a strong start.
STARKVILLE – Zach Arnett is always honest and doesn't beat around any bush. So, it's no surprise at all the Mississippi State head coach has a blunt assessment for where his team stands now that the calendar has flipped to October.
"We played five games in the month of September [and] we were 2-3," Arnett said. "The only thing we're focused on [now] is October. We've got three games in the month of October. To be honest, we need to go 3-0 in the month of October, but you can't until you go 1-0."
Let the journey begin.
On Saturday, MSU hosts Western Michigan at 11 a.m. at Davis Wade Stadium. As cliché as it sounds, it's the most important game of the year simply because it's the next one. It's the only one State can do anything about in the present.
So, the mission for each Bulldog is clear. Do your job. Handle your business.
"Just execute," quarterback Will Rogers said. "It sounds simplistic when you say it, but you know, it's just the little things…Everything that hasn't been going good for us right now is kind of self-inflicted, so we just need to clean some stuff up."
The right actions are only part of the equation though. Arnett is hoping for a little attitude.
"I hope we show up an angry football team," Arnett said. "I hope we have a lot of angry football players [and] a lot of angry coaches. I hope we play like an angry football team. I think that leads to improved play on the field. I hope we play with that edge."
All in the name of wrapping Saturday in Maroon and White against a Western Michigan squad that shares a few things in common with State. Like the Bulldogs, the Broncos are also 2-3. Western Michigan sandwiched wins against Saint Francis and Ball State around losses to Syracuse, Iowa and Toledo.
The record isn't the only similarity.
"Defensively, they look similar to us [with their] different looks and multiple pressures," Arnett shared. "Offensively, [they use] 11 and 12 personnel, spread [and] do a good job stretching you sideline to sideline. Their offensive staff understands how defenses are coached. They find ways of using angles to diffuse the defense. They understand defensive schemes. Very good coaching staff. Very good players."
It all makes for a worthy challenge to begin this crucial stretch for State. But again, it's not any of the games beyond Saturday that matter yet. For the Dawgs, it's this one and only this one.
"This game is important because it's the one we get to play," Arnett said. "We can look into the future too much [and] it becomes a distraction. The only thing that matters is how we show up…and focus on this week and this week alone. Bye week [the following week] gives us a chance to freshen guys up a little bit [and] get stronger going into the second half of the season. Coaches [will be] out recruiting. And then game plan preparation for Arkansas [will follow]. But all that is in the future. The goal is to go 1-0 this week."
