Ad Disclosure
Inside The Numbers: Bulldogs’ defense right at home in opposing backfield
By Ethan Levine
Published:
The Mississippi State Bulldogs (4-0, 1-0) are off this week following a 34-29 win in Death Valley over LSU last weekend to remain unbeaten in 2014. Here’s a look inside some of the numbers.
THE GOOD
35: The number of tackles for loss registered by Mississippi State’s defense through four weeks. The Bulldogs lead the SEC in this category by a wide margin, with five more tackles for loss than the next closest team (Texas A&M). Mississippi State has also recorded 14 sacks in four games, second in the SEC only to A&M.
537.5: The number of yards of total offense the Bulldogs have averaged in their first four games of the season. Mississippi State ranks third in the SEC in total offense behind only Texas A&M and Alabama, and ranks 15th in the nation in yards per game.
1,342: The total yardage amassed by quarterback Dak Prescott through four weeks, ranking him second in the conference behind only Texas A&M’s Kenny Hill. Prescott has thrown for 964 yards and rushed for 378 this season, and he’s even recorded 24 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown, although that yardage is not included in his 1,342 through the air and on the ground.
THE BAD
72.2: Mississippi State’s scoring percentage on drives that reach the red zone. The Bulldogs have ventured inside their opponents’ 20 yard line 18 times this season, but have come away with points on just 13 of those occasions. Mississippi State has the worst red zone scoring percentage in the SEC, scoring 11 touchdowns and two field goals in its 18 trips.
10: The number of explosive passing plays (completions of 30-or-more yards) the Mississippi State defense has allowed this season. It allowed two more completions of at least 30 yards against LSU, both of which went for touchdowns. No other team in the SEC has allowed more than seven such plays this year.
40.7: Mississippi State’s third down conversion percentage this season. The Bulldogs have moved the chains on just 24 of 59 third down opportunities, ranking them ahead of only Florida and Vanderbilt among SEC teams. Mississippi State is 3 of 7 on fourth downs this year (42.9 percent), which is third-worst in the SEC.
A former newspaper reporter who has roamed the southeastern United States for years covering football and eating way too many barbecue ribs, if there is such a thing.
