Bulldogs Drop SEC Opener

Saturday, September 21

Starkville

11 a.m.

Mississippi State

1-3 , 0-1

Florida

2-2 , 1-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Florida

Mississippi St.

September 21, 2024 | Football

Box Score

State falls to Florida.

By: Joel Coleman, Senior Writer

STARKVILLE – Mississippi State quarterback Blake Shapen recorded 140 yards through the air and accounted for two total touchdowns and three Bulldog running backs rushed for more than 50 yards, however MSU ultimately fell 45-28 to the Florida Gators in Davis Wade Stadium on Saturday.

Johnnie Daniels totaled 77 yards with a score on the ground and Davon Booth ran for 75 yards and a touchdown, but it wasn't enough for the Bulldogs. Keyvone Lee added 52 yards rushing and Shapen ran for 32 yards and a score.

Booth and Shapen delivered their rushing touchdowns in the first half. Booth took it in from a yard out to tie the game at seven in the first quarter. Shapen gave the Dawgs late first-half momentum with his three-yard run across the goal line with 23 seconds until the intermission. That touchdown pulled State to within 14, making it 28-14 at the half.

State drew even closer in the third quarter. That's when Jordan Mosley made a highlight-reel-worthy catch to get the Dawgs within a score at 28-21.

However, MSU got no closer. The Gators pulled away with a pair of late touchdowns and a field goal. The Dawgs did continue to battle, adding Daniels' 10-yard scoring run with a little over four minutes left, but it wasn't enough for State.

On the defensive side of things for the Dawgs, sophomore Isaac Smith continued his outstanding season by recording seven tackles and one forced fumble in the effort. Kelley Jones, Brylan Lanier and Stone Blanton also secured seven tackles.

Next up for State…

The Bulldogs will travel to Austin, Texas, to take on the Texas Longhorns on Saturday, Sept. 28. The game is scheduled to kick off in an afternoon time window from 2:30 p.m. CT to 3:30 p.m. CT.