Mississippi State football survived a scare from a 2-win UMass team, rallying from a half time deficit to pull off the comeback at home.
This game began as well as Mississippi State could have hoped for. The Bulldogs intercepted UMass quarterback Ross Comis and returned it for a touchdown and an early 7-0 lead. The two teams traded field goals before the Minutemen exploded for 17 second quarter points and a 20-13 halftime lead over the No. 16 team in the nation.
If that seems a bit peculiar, it is. Massachusetts is 2-6 this season and Mississippi State hasn’t played a game decided by fewer than 21 points yet this season. For whatever reason they’re either ready to go from the gun or caught sleeping. They were fortunate to be playing UMass on Saturday and not an SEC West opponent.
In the end it was Nick Fitzgerald that woke the offense up and put the Bulldogs ahead for good. He did not have a great game through the air but his ability to make plays on the ground was the deciding factor in this game. Fitzgerald was just 14 of 25 through the air for 139 yards with two interceptions and no touchdown passes. He led the Bulldogs in rushing, carrying the ball 17 times for 135 yards and two touchdowns.
Whatever was going on against the Minutemen needs to be correctly quickly. Mississippi State hosts No. 2 Alabama next weekend. A dismal performance against UMass and a thrashing at the hands of Alabama (which is certainly possible) could mean an exit from the rankings once again.
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Dan Mullen is rumored to be among the candidates for several coaching jobs around the country. His final stretch of games isn’t an audition, per se, but it is another opportunity to prove himself. Close games against UMass don’t look that great on the resume.