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Rapid Reaction: Mississippi State survives scare from Arkansas
By Ethan Levine
Published:
Here are some quick thoughts on Mississippi State’s 17-10 home win over Arkansas:
What it means: The win means Mississippi State maintains the SEC’s lone unblemished record as well as its No. 1 ranking in the national polls. The Bulldogs have two games remaining against ranked opponents — Alabama and Ole Miss — and being able to take an unbeaten record into that final stretch of the season allows Mississippi State a margin for error that none of the conference’s one-loss teams can claim. Dak Prescott had one of his best games of the season, especially in the second half, meaning he should maintain his lead atop the Heisman polls with four weeks left in the season. The Bulldogs appeared vulnerable, but the win means they’re still the best team in the conference, if not the country.
What I liked: Mississippi State’s resiliency amid a difficult test from Arkansas on its home field in Starkville. The Bulldogs trailed after one quarter and at halftime for the first time all season, but they didn’t let that inspire a tailspin in the second half. Instead, Mississippi State outscored Arkansas 10-0 in the second half, tightening up on defense in the game’s biggest moments to stay undefeated in 2014. Prescott made big throws on long third downs, completing 6 of 8 third down throws for 122 yards, and the defense limited Arkansas to 8 conversions on 19 third downs, a success rate of just 42 percent. Most teams would have fallen apart in a game like Saturday’s, but Mississippi State embraced the challenge and appeared better for it by game’s end. Tough victories like this will benefit MSU down the stretch and in the playoffs, if it can crack the four-team field this winter.
What I didn’t like: Mississippi State’s flat start to the game. The Bulldogs’ resiliency was impressive, but the way they fell behind early in the game leaves some reason for concern. Prescott did not look sharp early in the game, and Josh Robinson averaged fewer than four yards per carry in the first half, which is well below his season average. It didn’t hurt Mississippi State in the end, but if the Bulldogs start that slow against the Tide or Rebels, it might not be able to dig itself out of another hole that deep.
Who’s the man: Prescott is the man, just as he’s been all season. He started slow, but by game’s end he had 392 yards of total offense and the first 300-yard passing game of his career. The Bulldogs’ Heisman favorite made a number of big throws in the second half, including a 69-yard touchdown throw to Fred Ross to put MSU in front to stay and a huge play-action completion to Josh Robinson from the shadow of his own goal line to improve State’s field position. When Mississippi State needed a big play, Prescott was the man to deliver. Statistically, he was great, but as far as leaders go, he was second to none in a game in which he played with a bum ankle. Prescott was gutsy and commanding, and MSU needed every bit of his dynamic performance to top Arkansas.
Key play: In a tie game early in the fourth quarter, Prescott made one of the biggest throws of his season to put Mississippi State ahead to stay. Prescott was forced to his left by a heavy Arkansas pass rush, but he never dropped his eyes from looking down the field. Eventually, he found Fred Ross standing all alone down the field, and threw a dart to Ross that he took 69 yards to the house. Ross’ end of the play was rather simple, but Prescott’s maneuvering in the backfield and brilliant vision made it all possible. The play gave MSU a lead it would never relinquish, and was the longest play of a low-scoring game for either side.
What’s next: Next up for Mississippi State is a non-conference showdown with the lone FCS opponent on its schedule, the UT Martin Skyhawks. This game is more of a tune-up for Alabama than anything, and it’s safe to assume Mississippi State will improve to 9-0 by the end of next week.
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.
