Ground Game Gets It Done
November 03, 2024 | Football
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State's rushing prowess was on full display during Saturday's 45-20 homecoming win over UMass.
The Bulldogs churned out a season-best 241 yards and scored five touchdowns on the ground. The rushing output was the highest in 20 games and featured four different players that found the end zone, the first time that has happened since Sept. 19, 2015.
"We just trusted our preparation and how we prepped this week," said running back Johnnie Daniels. "We trusted the guys up front and our coaches. Those are the main things that helped us."
MSU's running backs – Daniels, Davon Booth and Xavier Gayten – chewed up 241 yards against the Minutemen averaging 13.4 yards per carry with all three crossing the goal line.
"I thought we finished in better body positions in the core and at the line of scrimmage and that gives those backs a chance to run through trash and creates some space for those guys," said head coach Jeff Lebby. "I thought our guys did a pretty good job of winning for 1-on-1s. To me, that's the difference. Instead of gaining 4, you have the ability to run through some trash and gain 11. Now you start gaining some chunks and start leaning on people. You've got a chance to keep the momentum in the run game."
For Booth, it was his fourth consecutive game with a touchdown and his third straight to rush for 75 yards or better. Daniels and Gayten's touchdowns both came on career-long runs. Daniels darted into the end zone from 36 yards out during the third quarter and finished with a team-best and career-high 92 yards.
"It felt great, but I can't take all the glory," Daniels said. "My teammates and I prepared together, sweated on the field at practice and I have to give all the glory to my O-Line. If it weren't for them, I would've never had a game like this."
Gayten capped the scoring frenzy with a 72-yard scamper in the final quarter, State's longest run of the season. The Brookhaven native became the fourth true freshman to find paydirt this year for the Bulldogs.
"I love seeing my guys have success," said quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr., who accounted for two rushing scores of his own against UMass along with a passing TD. "That brings me happiness when my guys are successful. That's what I do it for. I'm proud of those guys all getting into the end zone, especially (Gayten)Â with the big run. He's a freshman just like me and we're getting the job done and that's big."
Mississippi State had four runs that exceeded 30 yards on Saturday and the five TDs are the most the Bulldogs have had on the ground in over six years. It was a much-needed shot in the arm entering the final month of the season.
"A game like this boosts everybody's confidence," Daniels said. "Everybody in the locker room is happy after we came out with the win."
