ADVERTISEMENT

MSU RELEASE Gameday: No. 18 MSU Takes Top 20 Ranking on Road to K-State

Vernon

Legend
Gold Member
May 29, 2001
92,472
77
48
Beyond the Sun
bulldogblitz.com
MANHATTAN, Kan. – A non-conference road game against a Power 5 opponent for the first time in 10 years awaits Mississippi State football, which faces Big 12 member Kansas State at 11 a.m. CT Saturday in Bill Snyder Family Stadium. For complete gameday information, visit hailstate.com/gameday.


MSU (1-0) opened the 2018 campaign and the Joe Moorhead era in commanding fashion last Saturday, beating Stephen F. Austin 63-6, while dominating on both sides of the ball. Through Week 1, the Bulldogs rank inside the top 10 nationally in scoring offense (6th – 63.0), passing offense (7th – 398.0), yards per completion (2nd – 26.53), scoring defense (8th – 6.0), team tackles for loss (1st– 17.0) and third-down defense (10th – 16.7).


Winners of 36 of its last 41 non-conference matchups, MSU will play its first road game against a Power 5 team since at Georgia Tech on Sept. 20, 2008 and is seeking its first win in such games since a 30-21 victory at Baylor on Sept. 16, 1995. However, MSU has only played four true Power 5 road games since 1995: Georgia Tech (2008), Oregon (2002), Oklahoma State (1998), Baylor (1995).


Senior captain Nick Fitzgerald returns as starting quarterback. This will be his first snaps since a broken right ankle on Thanksgiving Night in the first quarter of the Egg Bowl. The owner of 11 school records, Fitzgerald has rushed for 2,486 yards in his career, which is fourth-most by a QB in SEC history (461 shy of Tim Tebow's record).


Kansas State (1-0) earned a 27-24 come-from-behind win over South Dakota in its season opener last Saturday.


Viewing Information

The game will be televised live on ESPN with Mark Jones (play-by-play), Dusty Dvoracek (analyst) and Molly McGrath (sideline) calling the action. Live streaming video is available via the Watch ESPN app and WatchESPN.com.


Listening Information

The MSU Sports Network C Spire Tailgate Show goes live at 9 a.m. Neil Price, Matt Wyatt and Jay Perry will call the game on the network (check for affiliates here). Live audio is also available for FREE at HailState.com and via the TuneIn app. Fans in Starkville can tune to 100.9 FM.


Cowbells

Cowbells will not be permitted in Bill Snyder Family Stadium.


Social Media/Live Stats

Live updates from the game are available via MSU's official social media channels: Facebook (click the links). Live Stats are available via KStateSports.com.


Weather

The forecast in Manhattan calls for morning showers, a high of 70 and northeast winds at 11 mph.


Series History

This will be the third time MSU and Kansas State will face each other, with the Bulldogs winning 24-21 in 1977 and 21-16 in 1974. The 1977 game was later forfeited by the NCAA. MSU will make its first trip to Manhattan since 1977. All-time, MSU is 11-12-2 against teams that comprise the Big 12. The last time MSU played a Big 12 team was the 2013 season opener against Oklahoma State (L, 21-3) in the Advocare Texas Kickoff Classic at then-named Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas.


Numbers To Know

12 – Different players caught a pass in the season opener, representing the most in an MSU game since 13 did so against Alcorn State on Sept. 7, 2013


63 – Points scored in the season opener, the most ever in a debut of an MSU head coach and the 13th highest point total in school history


263.7 – Rushing yards per game by MSU in the last three games dating back to last season


53 – The first TD of the Joe Moorhead era was a 53-yard pass from Keytaon Thompson to Kylin Hill on the first play of MSU's first drive


College Football’s Top D-Line Duo

Jeffery Simmons and Montez Sweat form arguably the best defensive line duo in the nation. They have combined for 34.5 tackles for loss in the 14 games they have played together, including 17 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in the last four games.


Backfields Beware

Highlighted by a combined seven tackles for loss from Simmons (3.5) and Sweat (3.5), MSU racked up a school-record 17 tackles for loss in the season opener, breaking the previous mark of 15 against Troy (2015) and Alcorn State (2010). Thirteen different Bulldogs recorded at least a half tackle for loss. Sweat also recorded a game-high 2.0 sacks. Through Week 1, State’s 17 tackles for loss are tops in the FBS.


Going Vertical

The Bulldogs lead the SEC and rank second nationally in 20+ yard plays (12) trailing only Hawaii (15 in two games). Ten of those plays were pass completions. State’s had five pass completions of 30+ yards, which ranks second in the SEC and is tied for fourth nationally. MSU is one of nine teams in the country and the only team in the SEC with an 80+ yard play this season.


Fitzgerald Watch

Fitzgerald needs only 36 rushing yards to pass Bulldog great Dak Prescott (2,521 from 2012-15) for third place in SEC QB rushing yards and 50 rushing yards to pass former Arkansas signal-caller Matt Jones (2,535 from 2001-04) for second place.


Fitzgerald ranks second in MSU career total offensive yards (6,926) and needs 171 to pass Don Smith (7,097 from 1983-86) to claim second place.


Three passing touchdowns for Fitzgerald would move him into a tie with Tyler Russell (42 from 2010-13) for third in MSU career annals, while 182 passing yards would put him past John Bond (4621 from 1980-83) on the Bulldogs’ career passing yards list.
 
Next%20Big%2012%20Champs_zpsq91cjk2r.png
 
ADVERTISEMENT