Dawg Defense Looks To Chase Down Wildcats
September 07, 2023 | Football, Joel Coleman
State aiming to limit Arizona offense under the Davis Wade Stadium lights.
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State head coach Zach Arnett has made his name off his understanding of the defensive side of the football. Whether it was in his playing days as a linebacker at New Mexico, or as a defensive coordinator at San Diego State and MSU before being promoted to the big chair in Starkville, defense has always been the Arnett calling card.
All that said, Arnett doesn't mind admitting he appreciates a really good offensive attack. That's precisely what he's anticipating his Bulldogs having to slow down when Arizona faces State at 6:30 p.m. Saturday under the lights of Davis Wade Stadium.
"I'm a huge fan [of Arizona's] offensive scheme," Arnett said. "Unfortunately, we have to play it, but I enjoy watching the way they attack defenses because they clearly understand how to create stress on the defense, both in the run game and certainly in the pass game."
Indeed, the offensive attack of Arizona is threatening. If there's some solace though, it might be that the cast of characters the Wildcats are bringing south is somewhat familiar.
Veteran MSU defenders like linebackers Jett Johnson and Nathaniel Watson along with defensive backs Decamerion Richardson, DeCarlos Nicholson and others surely remember the names from last year's State trip to Tucson when the Bulldogs won 39-17.
Two-way threat Jayden de Laura is back at quarterback for Arizona. He passed for 285 yards and rushed for 47 more in the Cats' Week 1, 38-3 victory over Northern Arizona.
Michael Wiley is still the primary Arizona running back. Like State's Jo'Quavious Marks, Wiley can be a problem both on the ground and through the air. His 101 career receptions are the most by any Arizona running back dating back to at least 1996.
Jacob Cowing, who had more catches than any Wildcat in last year's MSU-Arizona tilt, will try to again be a thorn in State's side.
While many of the names are familiar, the Dawgs are expecting the Wildcats to pack a much bigger punch than before.
"The flavor of the offense is similar [to last year], but you can tell they've gotten a lot better," MSU defensive coordinator Matt Brock said. "Their running backs, all three of them are tremendous players. It's like they're carbon copies of each other. [de Laura] is dynamic, and then their skill positions, [such as Cowing are talented]. Then, they've got big guys outside that can go up and get the ball, too.
"They're dynamic. You don't put up [nearly] 500 yards of offense on [53] plays [like they did last week without being skilled]. They should've probably scored 50-something."
There's no denying it'll be quite the step up in competition for State following the 48-7 triumph over FCS foe Southeastern Louisiana in the season opener.
Will the Bulldogs answer the challenge? Arnett believes the key to stopping the Cats rests more in his team's effort than anything else.
"On the defensive side, you're never going to answer it all on a chalkboard," Arnett said. "It's more important how you play than what you're executing. It can be man coverage. It can be vanilla zone. If you have 11 guys playing fast and physical, you give yourself a chance."
A chance for a successful Saturday night. A chance to go 2-0. And a chance to turn away the Wildcats for the second-straight year.
It won't be easy, but the Dawgs wouldn't expect it to be. MSU had to earn every bit of last year's win in the desert – using a 14-point fourth quarter to put the game away. To wrap this one in Maroon and White, State knows it'll have to go all out, all night, again.
"[Arizona has] a chance to come into our home," Arnett said. "We were able to go into theirs last year and win, and now, they're looking to do the same to us. We've got quite the matchup in front of us."
