Mississippi State
2-0 , 0-0
Arizona
1-1 , 0-0
Bulldogs Move To 2-0 With 31-24 Win Over Arizona
September 09, 2023 | Football
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State picked up its second win in as many games with a 31-24 win against Power Five opponent Arizona on Saturday night. The Bulldogs outlasted the Wildcats in overtime as MSU's Jeffery Pittman scored on a 29-yard reception on the opening possession of the extra period and the State defense held strong.
It was a tight contest throughout.
The Bulldogs struck early with a 23-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Will Rogers to wide receiver Lideatrick Griffin. Senior running back Jo'Quavious Marks punched in the second score of the first quarter on a one-yard rush.
Marks added on to his strong performance from last weekend's season-opening win against Southeastern Louisiana and proved himself all across the field. The senior hauled in four catches for 32 yards while also notching 123 rushing yards to go along with his one touchdown.
Throughout the course of the close affair, MSU's defense made a tremendous impact. Four of the Wildcats' first-half drives ended in a takeaway by the Bulldogs' tough defense, with the fifth ending in a score just before halftime. Nathaniel Watson, Jett Johnson and Shawn Preston Jr. each hauled in interceptions, and Preston forced a fumble that was returned 23 yards by safety Hunter Washington.
Mississippi State quickly built on its halftime lead in the third quarter when Rogers found Griffin again for a 15-yard score to give the home team the 21-7 advantage. Griffin finished with multiple receiving touchdowns in a game for the second time in his career, as well as 83 total receiving yards on five receptions.
After Arizona fought back to tie the game, State freshman kicker Kyle Ferrie connected on a 36-yard field goal to put MSU in front 24-21 midway through the fourth quarter. Johnson then came through with his second interception of the night in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, but Arizona regained possession and hit a field goal in the final seconds of the game to knot the score and force overtime.
That's when Pittman delivered with his offensive heroics and the Dawg defense slammed the door to wrap the game in Maroon and White.
Rogers finished the night 13-of-17 passing for 162 yards and three touchdowns. The signal-caller currently sits in seventh place on the SEC's all-time career passing yards list.
Defensively, linebackers Johnson and Watson continued to make noise on the field with a combined 21 tackles. Preston totaled seven tackles and two tackles-for-loss, while safety Marcus Banks added eight tackles and two pass breakups.
Next up for the Bulldogs:
Mississippi State hosts LSU in its first conference matchup of the season on Saturday, September 16. The game will kickoff at 11 a.m. CT and will be broadcast on ESPN.
Team Stats
ARI 0, MSU 7
MSU - Griffin,Lideatrick 23 yd pass from Rogers,Will (Ferrie,Kyle kick) 4 plays, 50 yards, TOP 01:53
ARI 0, MSU 14
MSU - Marks,Jo'quavious 1 yd run (Ferrie,Kyle kick), 2 plays, 6 yards, TOP 00:22
ARI 7, MSU 14
ARI - de Laura,Jayden 1 yd run (Loop,Tyler kick), 3 plays, 77 yards, TOP 00:38
ARI 7, MSU 21
MSU - Griffin,Lideatrick 15 yd pass from Rogers,Will (Ferrie,Kyle kick) 4 plays, 30 yards, TOP 02:06
ARI 14, MSU 21
ARI - Cowing,Jacob 17 yd pass from de Laura,Jayden (Loop,Tyler kick) 10 plays, 75 yards, TOP 04:33
ARI 21, MSU 21
ARI - McMillan,Tetairoa 11 yd pass from de Laura,Jayden (Loop,Tyler kick) 9 plays, 80 yards, TOP 03:40
ARI 21, MSU 24
MSU - Ferrie,Kyle 36 yd field goal 5 plays, 57 yards, TOP 02:27
ARI 24, MSU 24
ARI - Loop,Tyler 36 yd field goal 5 plays, 57 yards, TOP 02:31
ARI 24, MSU 31
MSU - Pittman,Jeffery 29 yd pass from Rogers,Will (Ferrie,Kyle kick) 2 plays, 25 yards, TOP 00:00
