Just Handling Bulldog Business
September 13, 2025 | Football, Joel Coleman
Mississippi State shows maturity with blowout win over Alcorn State.
STARKVILLE – How many times have you seen it?
A team earns a huge win one week only for all the momentum built to come crashing down the next.
That danger was there for Mississippi State on Saturday. The Bulldogs were seven days removed from an emotional victory over then-No. 12 Arizona State. Would there be a hangover as MSU returned to action against Alcorn State?
In a word: NOPE.
From the opening kickoff to the final horn, State handled its business and rolled to a dominant 63-0 triumph against the Braves. It demonstrated how these Bulldogs aren't just talented and exciting. They also have the maturity needed to manage success.
"We couldn't let [the Arizona State game] be the top end of the season," MSU running back Fluff Bothwell said. "We couldn't let beating a ranked team be on our minds all week…We had to get better."
It certainly appeared on this particular Saturday evening in Stark Vegas, Mississippi State – at the very least – kept taking steps forward.
Lebby and his team all talked of the importance of consistency in preparation all week. A top-25 team or Southeastern Conference foe wasn't headed to Starkville, but the Bulldogs all claimed there'd be no taking the foot off the gas pedal – in practice or on game day.
Those weren't empty words. State proved it as the Bulldogs were quickly all over the Braves like stickers on a vintage cowbell.
Quarterback Blake Shapen threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Mosley on the game's second play from scrimmage and the rout was on. Less than 10 minutes into the first quarter, MSU had 28 points and 222 total yards of offense. The State defense went on to post the team's first shutout since 2017.
This obviously wasn't a group satisfied with stunning a group of Sun Devils on an unforgettable Saturday night a week ago. The Bulldogs viewed this most recent contest as an opportunity to work, build more confidence and take another step forward towards making this a special season.
"I loved our guys' energy," Lebby said. "They were focused on doing their jobs and taking advantage of the moment."
Even once the game was well in hand, State refused to relax. Bulldog backups just kept punching.
Though both head coaches and game officials decided the last two quarters would be 10-minute periods, MSU made the most of the shortened second half, getting quality reps for many in Maroon. The Bulldogs outscored the Braves 21-0 after the intermission.
"For our guys, the message at halftime was that regardless of who is in the game, the expectations are for guys to go execute at a high level," Lebby said. "There were fourth-string guys in there, guys that are 100 percent redshirting, that played the last 15 plays for us defensively. Our guys played fast, they played with an edge and they had fun playing."
The result of everything? A total team victory that springboards this Mississippi State team forward.
That's really all this week was about. Prepare the right way. Play the right way. Handle your business and keep trucking.
Mississippi State did, so the Dawgs are 3-0 with a shot to polish off a perfect non-conference slate next week.
"We're not playing perfect, but we have a team right now," Lebby said. "Guys play for each other and root for each other. That will carry us a long way.
"This gives us the opportunity to build on something. Now we have another [game] in Davis Wade next Saturday against a good football team. That's the biggest game of the year for us because it's the next game of the year."
Time to handle business yet again.       Â
