Mississippi State football score updates vs. Southeastern Louisiana in 2023 season opener
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football kicks off the Zach Arnett era looking to score a season-opening win against FCS foe Southeastern Louisiana at Davis Wade Stadium.
The Bulldogs are coming off a nine-win season that was capped by a win against Illinois in the ReliaQuest Bowl. They were led by coach Mike Leach, who died in December. Arnett was promoted shortly after and has made changes to the staff.
The biggest move was the hiring of Kevin Barbay as offensive coordinator. He brings a more balanced attack to Starkville compared to Leach's Air Raid.
SELA, ranked No. 15 in the FCS poll, is coached by Frank Scelfo, who led the Lions to a Southland Conference title last season. But Mississippi State has had success against FCS teams in recent years, beating East Tennessee State 56-7 last season and Tennessee State 55-10 in 2021.
Mississippi State game time, TV channel today vs. Southeastern Louisiana
KICKOFF: 3 p.m.
TV: SEC Network
Mississippi State football score updates vs. Southeastern Louisiana
Final score
Mississippi State beats Southeastern Louisiana 48-7.
Fourth quarter
Creed Whittemore breaks big run
Whittemore scored a 53-yard rushing touchdown to make it 48-7 with 5:19 left in the game.
Jo'Quavious Marks finds end zone again
Marks extended Mississippi State's lead to 41-7 after scoring on a rush from six yards out.
John Lewis blocks punt, Avery Sledge scores
Mississippi State opened the final frame with a blocked punt from linebacker John Lewis. The ball was fielded by Avery Sledge who extended MSU's lead to 34-7.
Third quarter
Jaden Walley scores touchdown
Mississippi State went up 27-7 after senior receiver Jaden Walley caught a five-yard touchdown pass late in the quarter.
Second quarter
Creed Whittemore scores first career touchdown
Freshman receiver Creed Whittemore scored his first career touchdown with a 33-yard reception from Will Rogers. The scored capped a 10 play, 75 yard drive to make it 17-7 with 1:29 left in the first half.
Southeastern Louisiana gets on the board
SLU made it 10-7 after a two-yard touchdown pass from Zachary Clement to Jacob Logan. It capped a 16 play, 79 yard drive for the Lions.
Jo'Quavious Marks scores first touchdown
Mississippi State jumped out to a 10-0 lead after running back Jo'Quavious Marks scored from one yard out. The drive started after MSU linebacker Nathaniel Watson forced and recovered a fumble on the first play of the quarter.
First quarter
Kyle Ferrie makes first field goal
Mississippi State strikes first with a 47-yard field goal from freshman Kyle Ferrie. The Bulldogs lead 3-0 with 4:02 to go in the first after a 12 play, 56 yard second drive.
Pregame
Defensive back Jamari Brown, who transferred to MSU from Purdue on Aug. 24, was on the field for warm-ups.
Sophomore wide receiver Zavion Thomas did not field punts during warm-ups.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State score updates vs. Southeastern Louisiana in Week 1
