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Kevin Barbay defends aggressive play-calling in Alabama game
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
Kevin Barbay and Mississippi State fell to visiting Alabama 40-17 in Week 5. However, the Bulldogs offensive coordinator isn’t second guessing his play-calling.
Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers threw an interception with 57 seconds to go before halftime. On the ensuing possession, Alabama scored a touchdown to head into the break ahead 31-10.
Despite the momentum swinging further in Alabama’s direction because of the turnover, Barbay insists that wasn’t the time to be passive.
Kevin Barbay on if he should’ve been more conservative before halftime:
“That wasn’t the type of game that we needed to play to beat Alabama.” pic.twitter.com/VqjwTCZQhG
— Stefan Krajisnik (@skrajisnik3) October 3, 2023
“We had used our timeouts to try to get us an opportunity. I think in games like that, you’ve got to be as aggressive as you can. Sure, can you look back and go: ‘Well, we could’ve ran the ball there and gone to halftime.'” Barbay said. “That wasn’t the type of game that we needed to play to beat Alabama. We needed to be aggressive, so I’d do it again. Hopefully we wouldn’t turn the ball over again.”
Mississippi State only scored 7 points the rest of the way en route to a 3rd consecutive loss after opening the season 2-0.
Next up for Mississippi State is a home contest against Western Michigan on Oct. 7. Kickoff is slated for 12 p.m. EST and the game will be televised on the SEC Network.