Dan Mullen: Mississippi State ‘knew we’d be in for a battle’ with UMass
By Paul Harvey
Published:
The Bulldogs certainly had a close call with UMass.
Mississippi State headed into Saturday’s game as a big favorite. The Bulldogs are currently ranked No. 16 in the College Football Playoff Top 25, but the game against the Minutemen turned into a tight battle.
UMass QB Ross Comis and a defense that forced three interceptions gave the Minutemen a chance to pull off the incredible upset. In the end, a punt return touchdown by Deddrick Thomas sealed the win for the Bulldogs.
It was a nail-biter for the Bulldogs, but they will move on with a victory. Here is what Dan Mullen had to say following the game:
Dan Mullen: "We knew we'd be in for a battle."
— Will Sammon (@WillSammon) November 4, 2017
Dan Mullen "A great win by our team. We haven't been in a lot of tight games."
— David H Murray (@DawgsBiteMag) November 4, 2017
"We didn't come out and perform to our standards. That happens sometimes."
— David H Murray (@DawgsBiteMag) November 4, 2017
"At times we played real well, O, D, and K. We were just a little inconsistent at times."
— David H Murray (@DawgsBiteMag) November 4, 2017
“The zip you need to play at the highest levels, we didn’t always have.”
Mullen acknowledged that targeting was the correct call on Johnathan Abram, but he does not believe there was any ill intent on the hit. He does believe the ejection and suspension part of the rule is one area he would like to see examined moving forward.
On the trick play interception:
“Second-and-one, wanted to take a shot. It didn’t work out…Really good play by the defender.”
Any adjustments at halftime?
“No, not really…Just calm down, we need 11 guys to do their job…I think everybody just needs to focus on doing their jobs.”
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
