SEC reset: Mississippi State
MISSISSIPPI STATE (0-1)
Game: Oklahoma State 21, Mississippi State 3. Mississippi State's defense did its part, holding the Cowboys to less than half the points they averaged per game last year (46) and scoreless for a quarter (the first) for the first time in a span of 35 quarters. But the Bulldogs simply never got it going on offense, wasting early opportunities even before QB Tyler Russell left in the third quarter with a head injury. The Bulldogs ran for only 111 yards and threw for 222 and finished only five of a dozen drives in Cowboy territory.
Takeaway: The Bulldogs' struggles on offense likely will get even worse of Russell isn't able to return. The inability to finish their first two drives cost them the opportunity to take early command as Oklahoma State wasn't exactly setting the world on first offensively either.
"We were up and down the field early," coach Dan Mullen said. "We just didn't capitalize on things and we started making some mistakes.
"Then, we had some missed assignments here and there. And when you get missed assignments and drive killers, especially against really good football teams like they are, they are going to jump out pretty big on you right there."
The Bulldogs will have the chance to work out a lot of kinks with Alcorn State their next foe, but then they must go to Auburn, and LSU is looming on Oct. 5.
-- Sophomore QB Dak Prescott completed only seven of 17 pass attempts in relief of the injured Russell, who was 10-of-16. Each had a pass picked off.
-- Senior LB Deontae Skinner tied his career high in tackles with 10 stops.
Next: Vs. Alcorn State, Sept. 7.
