Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
First-And-10 To Know: State vs. Missouri
November 22, 2024 | Football, Joel Coleman
A quick look at 10 items of interest ahead of the Bulldogs’ battle against the Tigers.
STARKVILLE – The Bulldogs are back at home for one last ride inside Davis Wade Stadium this season.
Mississippi State takes on Missouri at 3:15 p.m. Saturday. For a final time in 2024, the cowbells will be clanging for a football game in Stark Vegas.
That much you probably know. But there are a few things you might not.
So, let's have a look at 10 items to be aware of headed into State's showdown against the Tigers:
- Mississippi State is facing Missouri for only the fifth time ever and just the third time since the Tigers entered the Southeastern Conference back in 2012. Of the 15 other SEC schools, the only program MSU has played fewer times than Missouri is new league mate Oklahoma. The Dawgs have never squared off with the Sooners. Interestingly, MSU has actually faced the other first-year SEC program, Texas, on more occasions than Missouri – at least until Saturday. State's game against the Longhorns earlier this season was the fifth meeting all-time in that series.
- This will be just Missouri's second-ever trip to Starkville. The Tigers had never before visited Davis Wade Stadium until 2020. It wasn't a pleasant experience for Missouri in their last trek to MSU either, as the Bulldogs exploded offensively on the way to a 51-32 victory over the Tigers. That win evened up the all-time series at two wins apiece, however State enters Saturday's action at 2-0 against Missouri since the Tigers became a conference foe.
- Mississippi State is set to honor more than 20 players on Saturday as part of Senior Day festivities. Among those set to be recognized are Kelly Akharaiyi, Justin Ball, Nick Barr-Mira, Davon Booth, Corey Ellington, Hayes Hammond, Zach Haynes, Grant Jackson, Raydarious Jones, Sulaiman Kpaka, Nick Lauderdale, Marlon Martinez, Khamauri Rogers, Montre Miller, Ethan Miner, Jordan Morant, Asher Morgan, Kade Kolka, JP Purvis, De'Monte Russell, Jaden Walley, Jake Weir and Thomas Cheatham.
- Many of those being honored are of course likely to play big roles as the Dawgs look to tame the Tigers. On the offensive side, Booth could certainly be key. The running back currently leads MSU in all-purpose yardage. He enters play Saturday with 1,002 all-purpose yards, with 597 of them coming via the rushing game, 124 coming from receptions and 281 on kick returns.
- Receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. will also be another offensive Dawg to keep an eye on. He leads MSU with 62 catches, which ranks fifth in the SEC and 19th nationally. Coleman has caught a pass in 27 straight career games and has five or more receptions in eight straight contests. With three more catches this season, Coleman would become one of only six Bulldogs all-time to have at least 65 receptions in a single season.
- Defensively, Isaac Smith continues to lead the way for State. His 101 tackles this season are tops in the SEC and tied for seventh nationally. Smith is currently the only SEC player that has eclipsed the 100-tackle mark this year.
- Linebacker Stone Blanton isn't too far behind Smith in the tackle count. Blanton has 93 total takedowns this season, which ranks fourth in the SEC. If Blanton can get seven more tackles this season, it'd mark the third consecutive year that MSU has had two players with 100 or more tackles.
- Speaking of defense, that's one of the strengths of Missouri's squad. The Tiger defense enters play this weekend ranking among the nation's top 25 groups in several categories, including total defense (18th), scoring defense (25th) and passing yards allowed (19th).
- On the Missouri offensive side, the Tigers lead the SEC in average time of possession (32:16) and rank second in fewest turnovers lost (nine). It also bears noting that in league contests, Missouri boasts the fewest penalty yards per game (42).
- After Saturday's game, all Mississippi State eyes shift to the Battle for the Golden Egg. MSU and instate rival Ole Miss are set to battle in Oxford on the day after Thanksgiving. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, and the game will be televised by ABC. State won the last Egg Bowl played in Oxford, defeating the Rebels 24-22 back in 2022.
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