FORT WORTH, Texas – Fully in 2020, it wasn’t until the last day of the year that Mississippi state football recorded its longest game of the season.
Jo’quavious Marks ran 28 yards in the finish line in the third scrum in front of a small crowd crowded at Amon G Stadium. Carter at the Armed Forces game on Thursday. The first-year ball carrier is the only one in the first half between the state of Mississippi and number 25 Tulsa.
Look: The fight between the state of Mississippi and Tulsa at the end of the Armed Forces Bowl
Problems were a scarce good on a rainy day when the temperature did not go down to 40 degrees. Mark’s score put the Bulldogs in the lead early, and yet they beat the Golden Hurricane 28-26 to win a bowl game for the first time since 2017 and finish the season with a 4-7 record.
“It was very smart that we were able to hold on and get closer,” MSU coach Mike Leach said. “It was a very unpleasant day with torrential rain everywhere. It’s hard for everyone to locate a rhythm. It’s complicated for both teams. It took perseverance, to win this game and I’m proud of it. Our young organization and its perseverance. “
Then, after the game, there is a match involving many players from both teams.
Here are 4 themes of Mississippi state victory.
The state of Mississippi has often turned to true freshmans this season. The situation remained the same Thursday as opposed to Tulsa (6-3).
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The Bulldogs’ four touchdowns came from freshmans coming out of the best school. Mark had the first, Quarterback Will Rogers had the moment in a 13-yard run, cornerer Emmanuel Forbes had the third in a 90-yard interception, returned and first. One-year-old receiver Lideatrick “Tulu” Griffin had the fourth in a 13-yard reception.
“We have young boys who are excited and with serious boys,” Leach said.
Forbes leads the SEC in interceptions and is tied for third with five in the national standings. He brought three for touchdowns.
Marks has become a starter when senior Kylin Hill retired after the first three games. Rogers became a starter when senior KJ Costello was injured against Alabama in game five. Forbes also took over after the third game.
All three were massive participants in a Mississippi state team that is one of the youngest in the country.
“You can say that the boys were in a position and that things were starting to fit together,” Rogers said. “I’m excited about the things they’re targeting in the future. “
The state of Mississippi was not afraid to use the full extent of its list. A couple of Bulldogs that enthusiasts haven’t heard their names this year have done a lot of consecutive things in the first half.
Redshirt’s junior defensive back, Jay Jimison, made a detour to save a first- and first base landing. Tulsa nevertheless settled for a basket.
Bulletin: Graduation of Mike Leach, Mississippi state in the possession of the Armed Forces
The Sherman Timbs junior defensive ending fired Tulsa quarterback Zach Smith, third at the moment. Once again, Tulsa took 3 points.
The Golden Hurricane may have taken the lead by scoring a landing in one of the units and settling for one basket in the other, but instead, the state stopped the offensive contrary to its advantage.
Junior supporter Tyrus Wheat kept the problems off the board with an overdue interception in the 4th quarter, took Smith back to 3rd for the purpose of giving Mississippi State the 28-19 lead with less than 4 minutes to play.
“We developed a bit of inconsistency (defensive) today, but the ball losses were there to be good,” Leach said. “And this is perhaps the most productive defense I’ve ever had. “
Lideatrick “Tulu” Griffin, a freshman open receiver, has not been offensive to The Mississippi State this season. He entered Thursday’s game with eight receptions for 44 yards.
Griffin, however, received several times his hands on the ball in the back game and made the most of his chances, ejected 53 meters in Tulsa territory and Marks scored three games later.
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Griffin also recoiled another kick in the first half to Tulsa territory, but was remembered for containing Timbs. He did it in the part at the moment on a 44-yard return to Tulsa 39, and that mattered.
Overall, Griffin amassed 138 yards in pussing returns. Griffin replaced the game in special groups in a game where the classic offense is difficult to locate given the conditions.
Griffin had an even greater effect in the last quarter: he hit the first landing pass of his career in a 13-yard backfielder to increase Mississippi State’s lead to 28-19 with 8:01 to play. 17 yards.
“It gives him some confidence before next season and a big step forward for him,” junior catcher Austin Williams said. “He’ll continue to build it with the spring ball and some training on his belt. “
Mississippi State maintained leadership for the most part of the game, but that doesn’t mean it’s great functionality in all 3 phases. The Bulldogs’ offense, as he has done several times this season, has struggled to move the ball.
The Bulldogs finished with 271 total yards. Tulsa 484. An MSU offensive based on ball throwing only had 99 yards at the end of the third quarter.
The state of Mississippi was forced to be a little more balanced due to the weather and its more effective floor play than passes. Runners Marks and Dillon Johnson combined for 129 yards with 6. 1 yards consistent with a run.
“We thought they were going to play a little more man, and they played more drop 8 and we saw boxes of smart problems and we felt confident with the offensive line that played their ass,” Leach said. “If we can take five on the first try and in the moment, we will definitely do it. “
Jaden Walley, a variety of the All-SEC Freshman team, didn’t worry early, but it had an overdue impact. He finished with four receptions for 27 yards. His third and fourth catches were conversions of the player scored through Griffin.
Contact Tyler Horka at thorka@gannett. com. Follow @tbhorka on Twitter.