By Elijah Klepczyk
Emmerich Newspapers
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State’s late third‑quarter running‑into‑the‑kicker penalty, right after it finally slowed Alabama’s momentum, told the story of a 56‑23 loss. Almost nothing broke the Bulldogs’ way.
State had four turnovers in this game that resulted in 21 points for Bama, the Tide were six-of-nine on third down, and MSU finished with just 18 rushing yards on 30 attempts (0.6 yards per attempt). To top it all off, Fluff Bothwell only played one snap and Kamario Taylor was seen in a boot at the end of the game.
“It’s really hard to overcome against a really good football team,” head coach Jeff Lebby said about some of those miscues.
There was a major bright spot for the home team however, with Anthony Evans III setting a career high in receiving yards finishing the day with 166 yards on 12 catches. He was unstoppable early in the game, being the only receiver to catch a pass on Taylor’s first five attempts. Evans III was also the recipient of two touchdown catches, one from two yards out and one from 45.
Lebby said there were some "incredible learning moments,” within this game and that he plans on using them to make this team better in the future. He said that the team will have to find it’s identity in the run game and limit turnovers with their grueling schedule ahead.
Lebby gave credit where it was due and pointed to Alabama’s emerging star quarterback Keelon Russell as someone who is “playing at an elite level.” Russell delivered big plays in big moments all morning, including a third‑and‑21 conversion early in the game and a 13‑yard touchdown strike on third‑and‑goal when it looked like the Tide would have to settle for three.
“We are going to have to go get healthy, that is what this next week is about,” Lebby said about their much needed bye week. Lebby did confirm Taylor sustained an injury during the game, but did not disclose what it was or how bad it was. For both Taylor and Bothwell, their status will not be known until Oct. 14 when the team will publish its injury report.
Veteran safety Isaac Smith said that this game was “just a speed bump in the road,” and that they “will have to live with it today, but be back at the drawing board tomorrow.”
Another top-10 matchup awaits State, but this time in Baton Rouge. The Bulldogs will face LSU on Oct. 17 , a game that will be challenging according to Lebby. He added that this bye week will be very important in helping State get healthy again and put together a gameplan to down the Tigers in Death Valley – a feat not accomplished since 2020.
The kickoff time and television broadcast assignment is still TBD.
