Postgame Notes: at No. 1 Texas

Post Game Notes: Mississippi State at No. 1 Texas

Game 05
Date	Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024
Location	Austin, Texas
Stadium	DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium
Kickoff Time	3:20 p.m. CT
End Time	6:36 p.m. CT
Attendance	101,388
Weather	94 degrees & Sunny, Winds North at 5 to 10 mph
TV	SEC Network
Records	Mississippi State: 1-4 Overall, 0-2 SEC #1/2 Texas: 5-0, 1-0 SEC

General Notes

Game Captains: Kelly Akharaiyi (WR), Marlon Martinez (OL), Tanner Johnson (S)
Coin Toss: Texas won the toss and elected to defer
- Mississippi State has lost the coin toss in four straight games
- Fifth straight game that Mississippi State has received the opening kickoff
Uniform Combo (Record): Maroon (H) / White (J) / White (P)
This was the 5th all-time meeting between Mississippi State and Texas. It was the first meeting between the two programs with Texas as a member of the SEC.
The overall series is 2-3 … The series is 1-2 when the game is played in Austin, Texas … Texas leads the series 2-0 when just the Longhorns are ranked in the AP Top 25
This was Texas' first-ever SEC game after joining the conference on July 1, 2024
This was the first meeting between the two programs since The Cotton Bowl on Jan. 1, 1999.
This is Mississippi State's first game against the AP #1 team in the country since hosting #1 Georgia Nov. 12, 2022. It's the seventh time since 2010 that State has faced off against the AP #1 team.

Team Notes

Mississippi State has scored in 49 consecutive games dating back to Oct. 21, 2020.
The Bulldogs rushed for 115 yards in the first half, tied for their most rushing yards in the opening half this season.
Mississippi State's 13 points are the most Texas has allowed in a game this year.
Mississippi State is the first team all season to reach the red zone twice against Texas. Mississippi State scored ten points on two trips inside the red zone. No team has scored twice in the red zone against Texas this season.
State's total time of possession was 34:57 while Texas' was 25:03. State's previous high TOP was 32:24 against Florida.

Offensive Notes

Michael Van Buren Jr. made his first career start, filling in for the injured Blake Shapen, who suffered a season-ending injury against Florida.
Michael Van Buren Jr. ran in a touchdown from 12 yards out in the fourth quarter. This was Van Buren Jr.'s first career touchdown.
Kevin Coleman Jr. has caught a pass in 22 straight games. This is his fourth game this season with five or more receptions.
Johnnie Daniels led the team in rushing yards with 75.
State's 150 rushing yards are the most rushing yards Texas has allowed in a game all season. The previous high was 128 rushing yards by UTSA.
Mario Craver hauled in his 4th reception of 30+ yards on his 46-yard reception in the 4th quarter. All four receptions of more than 30+ yards have come in four separate games.
Michael Van Buren Jr. set career highs in completions (12) and passing yards (144).

Defensive Notes

Corey Ellington made his first start this season for the Bulldogs.
Zakari Tillman made his first career start.
The Bulldogs are the first team to have two forced fumbles against Texas this season.
Corey Ellington earned his 100th career tackle during the game against Texas. He entered the day with 97 and recorded five on the day.
Corey Ellington forced a fumble in the first quarter, the fumble was recovered by Zakari Tillman. The recovered fumble for State was just the second lost fumble for Texas this season.
Mississippi State held Texas to its fewest points in the first half this season (14). The previous low was 24 against Michigan.
The Bulldogs held Texas to its fewest total yards of offense in an opening half (212). The previous low was 275 by ULM.
State held Texas to just 10-yards rushing in the first half, the fewest total rushing yards for Texas in any half this season.
Stone Blanton forced a fumble on the opening play of the third quarter. It was his second forced fumble of the season, the third of his career. He recovered the fumble, the first recovery of his career.
The Bulldogs recorded two sacks in the game (Blanton, Jennings, Williams and Tillman all had 0.5 sacks). It's the first time this season that State has had two or more sacks in a single game.
Stone Blanton lead the Bulldogs in tackles with nine against the Longhorns.

Special Teams Notes

Hayes Hammond has served as the team's long snapper in 30 straight games dating back to Nov. 25, 2021.
Zakari Tillman earned his first career blocked punt in the second quarter. The blocked punt resulted in just 22 yards. This was State's second blocked punt of the season, the first since Eastern Kentucky on Aug. 31.
Kyle Ferrie connected on field goals from 45 and 32 yards in the second quarter. He ended the day 2-for-2 in field goals.
Ferrie's 45-yard make was his longest field goal this season.
Ferrie has hit six career field goals of 45+ yards. He is 1 for 1 in 2024.
Ferrie is now 8 for 13 in field goals from 40+ yards in his career.
Ferrie has made four consecutive field goals on the year.
Nick Barr-Mira hit a career-long 60-yard punt in the fourth quarter.
Nick Barr-Mira pinned 1 of 4 punts inside the 20. On the year, 13 of his 18 punts have been either downed inside the 20 or fair caught.

Mississippi State University Athletics