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Rapid Reaction: Mississippi State falls short in Orange Bowl
By Ethan Levine
Published:
Here are some quick thoughts on Mississippi State’s 49-34 loss to Georgia Tech on New Year’s Eve:
What it means: Wednesday night’s Orange Bowl loss caps a run of three losses in Mississippi State’s final four games following a 9-0 start to the year. The loss does not change the fact that 2014 was one of the greatest seasons in MSU history, but it does affect the perception of the program entering next season. The Bulldogs stand to lose a lot of talent this offseason, and faltering down the stretch in 2014 aids the perception that the 9-0 was merely a flash in the pan. Entering the offseason on a sour note is never good for the immediate future of a program, and that’s exactly what Mississippi State must try and overcome in the coming months.
What I liked: Mississippi State trailed by 22 in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, but never rolled over with a victory likely out of reach. The Bulldogs resiliency was admirable as they were being picked apart in their biggest bowl appearance in a generation. The season didn’t end the way Mississippi State had hoped, but the Bulldogs continued to fight as if a title was on the line. A six-play, 52-yard touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter made the score appear more respectable, and the lack of quit in the Bulldogs is a reason why they were able to win 10 games in the regular season.
What I didn’t like: The Bulldogs secondary capped a shaky 2014 season with one of its worst performances of the season, allowing a run-heavy Georgia Tech offense to victimize them to the tune of 125 yards and a touchdown through the air. Yes, Georgia Tech ran for an impressive 452 yards, but the Yellow Jackets gash most opposing defenses with its potent rushing attack. However, it was the Mississippi State secondary’s inability to defend the pass that kept the front seven from selling out to stop the run. As a result, the Georgia Tech offense had its way with MSU, scoring touchdowns on each of its first four possessions in the second half to pull away for good.
Key play: Mississippi State cashed in on a 42-yard Hail Mary to close the first half, pulling to within one point on the scoreboard at 21-20. It appeared the Bulldogs had swung the momentum in their favor when the second half began, but two plays into the half Georgia Tech tailback Synjyn Days took a handoff around the left edge, eventually reaching the sideline where he broke a slew of tackles on his way to a 69-yard touchdown run. The touchdown swung the momentum back into Georgia Tech’s favor and sucked the life out of the Mississippi State sideline. The Yellow Jackets scored three more touchdowns on their next three drives following Days’ touchdown, cementing a huge bowl win in the process.
Who’s the man: Georgia Tech quarterback Justin Thomas was the best player on the field Wednesday night, and it wasn’t even close. Mississippi State had no answers for Thomas as a runner or as a passer, allowing him to rush for 121 yards and two touchdowns in addition to completing 7 of 12 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown. He shook Will Redmond out of his jock strap with a beautiful cut on a 32-yard touchdown run in the middle of the third quarter. On the very next drive he burst through a tiny crease for a 15-yard touchdown scamper, putting his incredible athleticism on display. Thomas took over the game in the second half, and was Georgia Tech’s greatest impact player in its victory.
What’s next: Mississippi State must turn the page to 2015 and brace for the loss of 18 seniors as well as talented juniors Benardrick McKinney and Josh Robinson (and maybe Dak Prescott). Most expect the Bulldogs to regress next season, but they’ll retain Dan Mullen and a handful of stars like Chris Jones, De’Runnya Wilson and Redmond. Mississippi State will once again be an underdog in 2015, but five straight bowl appearances have set a precedent that most fans will expect the team to live up to next year.
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.
