State’s Showtime Era Kicks Off With 56-7 Victory Over Eastern Kentucky

Saturday, August 31

Starkville

5 p.m.

Mississippi State

1-0 , 0-0

Eastern Kentucky

0-1 , 0-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Eastern Ky.

Mississippi St.

State’s Showtime Era Kicks Off With 56-7 Victory Over Eastern Kentucky

August 31, 2024 | Football

Box Score Post Game Notes (PDF)Box Score (PDF)

Dawgs ride fast start to season-opening win.

By: Dylan Flippo, Student Assistant

STARKVILLE – The thunderstorm that dropped a downpour over the Maroon and White faithful at Davis Wade Stadium in Mississippi State's season opener was no match for the power of the cowbells and the electric Bulldog offense in a 56-7 victory over Eastern Kentucky on Saturday night.

Within the first 32 seconds of the contest, senior quarterback Blake Shapen spiraled a perfect ball that connected with junior wideout Jordan Mosley for a 65-yard touchdown, introducing everyone to showtime at State.

After Shapen escaped the pocket and jogged into the end zone for a touchdown on the Dawgs' second drive, sophomore wideout Creed Whittemore took an end-around on the following drive for a 41-yard score to open the floodgates.

From there, it was all Bulldogs for the rest of the contest.

The weather conditions did not halt head coach Jeff Lebby's high-powered and fast-tempo offense as State continued to light up the scoreboard on the ground and through the air, as well as on defense and special teams.

In his first start at MSU, Shapen threw for 247 passing yards and three touchdowns, while also running in a score in the contest. With his impressive performance through the air against the Colonels, Shapen has now thrown a touchdown pass in 12 straight games. Mosely, Kevin Coleman and Mario Craver all hauled in touchdowns from Shapen in the victory.

On the defensive side of the ball, sophomore safety Isaac Smith put on a show for the Bulldog faithful. Smith's athleticism was on full display, as he led the defensive unit with 11 tackles and one pass breakup.

Sophomore linebacker Zakari Tillman and junior Branden Jennings also made an immediate impact on the gridiron for MSU. The talented pair swarmed the field as they combined to secure 12 tackles, one pass breakup and 0.5 tackle for loss for the Bulldogs in the win.

State finished out an impressive performance by scoring in all three phases of the game. The Bulldogs scored off a blocked punt, scoop and score from Craver and a 51-yard pick-six via freshman Elijah Cannon.

With the victory over EKU, State now has its 19th straight victory over an FCS opponent dating back to 2005.

Next up for State…

MSU travels to the desert of Tempe, Arizona, to take on the Arizona State Sun Devils on Saturday, Sept. 7. Kickoff against ASU is set for 9:30 p.m. CT and will stream live on ESPN.