Postgame Notes: Mississippi State 34, No. 15 Tennessee 41
September 27, 2025 | Football
2025 Mississippi State Football Postgame Notes
Starkville, Miss. // Davis Wade Stadium
Mississippi State 34, #15 Tennessee 41 (Overtime)
General Notes
- Mississippi State and Tennessee met for the 48th time, and the 11th time in Starkville. This was the first meeting in Starkville since 2012.
- Tennessee now leads the all-time series, 31-16-1.
- When the game is played in Starkville, Tennessee now leads, 6-5.
- Uniform Combo: Mississippi State wore all white with the Maroon Interlocking logo on the helmet. The uniform is a tribute to the 2000 "Snow Bowl" team.
- This is the first time since 2023 that State has worn the Interlocking logo when they wore them against Kentucky.
- It's just the 8th time ever wearing the Interlocking logo on a white helmet, and the first time since 2002
- Attendance: 60,417
- The game was officially called a sellout
- This was the largest attendance at Davis Wade Stadium since Nov. 12, 2022, when State hosted #1 Georgia.
- This was the 19th largest crowd in Davis Wade Stadium history
- Mississippi State has scored in 61 consecutive games dating back to October 21, 2020.
- The Bulldogs fell to 3-1 at Davis Wade Stadium in 2025.
- This was the first time Mississippi State has gone to overtime since their game against Arizona on Sept. 9, 2023.
- Mississippi State won the coin toss in overtime and elected to defend first.
- This was Mississippi State's first overtime game since Sept. 9, 2023, when the Bulldogs defeated Arizona 31-24.
- Game Captains for State: #6 Davon Booth (RB), #40 Nic Mitchell (LB), #76 Albert Reese IV (OL)
- Mississippi State won the toss and elected to receive.
- Mississippi State has received the opening kickoff in 21 of the last 22 games and 17 of 18 games under Coach Lebby.
- Mississippi State is 8-9 on the coin toss under Jeff Lebby.
Offensive Team Notes
- Mississippi State has outscored its opponents 62-16 in the first quarter this season and 103-40 in the first half.
- Mississippi State has already had two 100-yard rushing games this season, tying the total in 2023 and 2024.
- The 198 rushing yards ties Georgia's total this season as the most rushing yards against Tennessee.
- The Bulldogs have run for at least 180 yards in four of their five games this season.
- MSU's 57 rushing attempts were tied for seventh most since 1995.
Offensive Player Notes
Blake Shapen
- Has thrown a touchdown pass in 20 consecutive games. After Iowa State's Rocco Becht failed to throw a touchdown pass against Arizona on Sept. 27, Shapen's streak is the longest in college football.
- Extended his consecutive start streak to 30 games.
- Bothwell made his first career start.
- Bothwell ran for 134 yards, the second game in a row that he has ran for 100+ yards.
- This was the second highest total of his career (143 yards at USA)
- Bothwell had two rushing touchdowns, bringing his team-high season total to six.
- This was his third multi-touchdown game this season, and the eighth time in his career.
- Became the 15th MSU player since 1995 to have three multi-touchdown games on the ground in the same season.
- Booth's 5-yard touchdown in the second quarter was his third touchdown in the last two games.
- Scored a 2-yard touchdown, which gives him touchdown receptions in back-to-back games.
- Mosley had three receptions, which is his most in a single game this season.
- With Evans' five receptions, he now has had at least four receptions in every game this season.
Defensive Team Notes
- Mississippi State only allowed Tennessee three offensive points in the first quarter which is the lowest UT has scored all season in the first quarter.
- Tennessee averages 20.8 points in the first quarter.
- This was the fifth straight game that the Bulldogs have not allowed a first quarter offensive touchdown to open a season, which is the first time since 2018.
- State has recorded a sack in five straight games to start the season.
- In 2023, State recorded a sack in seven straight games to open the season.
- Mississippi State has allowed its fewest offensive points through four games since 2018 (74).
- First time since 2021, that MSU has opened a season with an interception in each of their first five games.
- In 2021, State had an interception in each of its first five games.
- The Bulldogs picked up their third muti-turnover game of the season.
Defensive Player Notes
Tyler Lockhart
- Recorded his first QB hurry (2).
- Earned his first interception as a Bulldog.
- Registered his first sack of the season.
- Secured his first interception of the season in the fourth quarter.
- Led the team in tackles for loss (2).
- Collected the first pass breakup of his career.
Branden Jennings
- Led the team in tackles with 10 and was the first State player of the year to record double digit tackles.
Special Teams Notes
Kyle Ferrie
- Ferrie was 4-4 in PATs, extending his streak to 51 straight makes.
- He is 84-for-89 in PATs in his career.
- Ferrie's 51-yard field goal in the second quarter was his second made field goal over 50 yards.
- Both of his field goals of 50+ yards have come this season with his 55-yard record setting kick against Southern Miss.
- Ferrie went 2-3 on FG's with makes of 51 and 38. His lone miss came at 42 yards.
- Those two field goals were Ferrie's 31st and 32nd made FGs and now is tied for 5th place all time with Jace Christmann and Derek DePasquale.
- Ferrie's 10 points this game moves him into 10th place all-time in Mississippi State history passing Westin Graves and moves within two points of eighth place.
- Had a career-long 67-yard punt that was downed at the 1-yard line.
- His first punt of the day resulted in a muffed punt with the Bulldogs recovering.
- Had two punts go for over 50 yards, and three that landed inside the 20-yard line.
Explosive Plays (3)
(plays of 20+ yards)
Fluff Bothwell
- 20-yard run, second quarter
- 49-yard reception from Shapen, fourth quarter
- 21-yard reception from Shapen, fourth quarter
Career Highs
Ethan Pulliam
- Longest Punt – 67 yards
- Longest Reception – 49 yards
- Receiving Yards – 49 yards
- Rushing Attempts – 23 attempts
- Pass Break-ups – 3
- Tackles for loss – 1
- Tackles – 10
- Pass Breakups – 1
- Quarterback Hurries – 2
- Tackles – 10
- Interceptions – 1
- Tackles for loss – 2
- Tackles – 3
- Tackles – 3
- Tackles – 3
- Pass Breakups – 1
Players Mentioned
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