A season ago, second-ranked Auburn traveled to play third-ranked Mississippi State in Starkville. It was a monumental day for Dan Mullen’s Bulldogs, who played a game for the ages, stymied the Tigers when it mattered most and woke up Monday morning ranked first in the country for the first time in school history. It will be a long time before anyone forgets that.
The 2015 rematch was … not that. Instead, both Auburn and State sort of staggered into Saturday night’s matchup, with the dominant story the home team’s mystifying disintegration and new face at quarterback. The game itself was a reflection of that — instead of a memorable effort that drew the attention of the nation, Saturday night’s 17-9 victory was mostly overshadowed by action elsewhere in the conference (and the nation).
Even so, victories at Auburn don’t come easy, a lesson State fans should have learned two years ago when they let one slip away. So head coach Dan Mullen deserved his chattering celebration Saturday night, if nothing else.
TAKEAWAYS
- We said this Saturday night, but it is to Mississippi State’s unending credit that they did exactly what they should have done against an inferior, stumbling opponent: carried the fight to them early and refused to allow them to believe at any point they had a chance in the game. Arguably the signature moment came when Will Redmond intercepted Sean White in the end zone on Auburn’s first possession, only two plays after he let a sure interception go through his fingertips. They simply wouldn’t let Auburn get anything going.
- Whether Dak Prescott has a future as a professional quarterback is uncertain (if only because everyone’s future as a professional anything is uncertain). His performance Saturday was — here’s a terrible football cliche — efficient, if unspectacular. He didn’t turn the ball over, didn’t take a terrible sack and did just enough to win. The third-quarter drive that led to a 44-yard Westin Graves field goal was a thing of beauty, and the sort of thing one should expect from a senior of Prescott’s caliber.
- No one was happier about Saturday night’s win than head coach Dan Mullen, who babbled so excitedly through his postgame presser that multiple people on social media wondered if he had taken speed. His money quote pegged State as “back in the race” for the SEC West, which is the sort of statement a head coach should make (since his focus for his team should be a championship, as long as a championship is realistic). A more probable reality: State will find itself “back in the race” this time next week if it is basking in the glow of a road win over Texas A&M (which, if you didn’t notice, suddenly looks less invincible). The road is long and no one expects State to get there, but so what? They have a puncher’s chance as long as Prescott stays healthy.
REPORT CARD
Offense: (B-) — Admittedly, 5.3 yards per play against an Auburn defense that looked like a sieve last week isn’t overly impressive. The offense gets credit for doing enough to secure a victory, and (mostly) avoiding turnovers that would have kept Auburn in the game. The fumble early in the third quarter was really terrible.
Defense: (B+) — One of the reasons State felt no need to take any chances on offense was that it became very apparent very early that the Bulldog defense did not feel overly threatened by Auburn’s offense (which frankly looks lost at the moment). They surrendered more yards than they wanted — Auburn actually outgained State and won time of possession — but they defended their own goal line with ferocity, kept White on his heels and didn’t surrender any big plays.
Special Teams: (B) — Also gets credit for not giving up anything cheap. Also give credit to Westin Graves — a 44-yard field goal in the third quarter is nothing spectacular, but given the circumstances, it was cold blooded.
Coaching: (A) — ”Great strain.”
GAME BALLS
• Dak Prescott: 29-41-0, 270 yards, 2 TDs
• Fred Ross: 7 receptions, 66 yards
• De’Runnya Wilson: TD reception (bonus points for shushing the crowd)
• Richie Brown: 12 tackles, 1 for loss
Will Heath is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers SEC football.
