Mississippi State Football: 3 Takeaways from Outback Bowl loss vs. Iowa

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 01: Nick Fitzgerald #7 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs rushes during the 2019 Outback Bowl against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 01: Nick Fitzgerald #7 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs rushes during the 2019 Outback Bowl against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
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In a game that truly came down to the wire, Iowa edged out the Mississippi State football. What did we learn from the Bulldogs’ Outback Bowl loss?

Mississippi State was unable to figure out the Iowa defense as often as they needed. Nick Fitzgerald and the offense had quite the game, but Iowa just got the upper hand in this one, 27-23.

This was a defensive shootout if I have ever seen one, just barely hitting 50 points. Both defenses played well and both offenses had their moments. That being said, what did we learn from the Outback Bowl?

3. Joe Moorhead was a good hire for Mississippi State.

Many will be disappointed in this result. Some may even decide that Joe Moorhead hasn’t taken care of this team the way he should be and that is why they came out with a loss in the end. However, that simply isn’t the case. The former Penn State offensive coordinator had a moderately successful season in year one and the future remains bright.

This team has bought into him and as a result will continue to grow as his career continues in Starkville. Sure, Fitzgerald will be gone in 2019. However, Keaton Thompson has this team under control. Look for Moorhead and the Mississippi State Bulldogs to have quite the season in 2019 and 2020.