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Will Rogers struggles with turnovers in first half of ReliaQuest Bowl
By Keith Farner
Published:
Will Rogers got off to a rough start in the first half in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Illinois.
The Mississippi State quarterback threw a pair of interceptions, including the first one of the season in the red zone, as the Bulldogs fell behind, 7-3. Both interceptions came in the second quarter.
The first one was arguably more costly because it came at the Illinois 7-yard line with 13:07 remaining in the first half, and ended a promising 8-play drive that covered 53 yards.
The second pick had a result that could have been similar to a punt. It came on 3rd down and 7 from the Mississippi State 37-yard line, and the Illini got the ball at their own 23.
Rogers and the Bulldogs added a late field goal in the closing seconds of the first half.
Rogers was 15-for-26 passing for 139 yards.
It was a rare sub-par performance for Rogers, who came into the game as the SEC leader in completions (1,130) and holds the school passing yards (10,428) and touchdown pass (81) marks.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
