While execution for the Mississippi State football team surpassed last week’s loss to Toledo, the Bulldogs’ first conference game of the season ended in a 45-28 loss to Florida in Starkville on Saturday.

Jeff Lebby’s system on offense showed flashes against the Gators, totaling 480 yards and four scores. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, the defense could not stop the two-quarterback attack of Florida and allowed a total of 503 yards. Here’s a short recap of what happened.

Two quarterbacks working to save Napier’s job

As calls for Florida head coach Billy Napier to be fired have grown loud after a lousy start that included losses to Miami and Texas A&M, starting SEC play with a win over Mississippi State should hush some of the concerns, for now.

Senior Graham Mertz and freshman DJ Lagway both took significant snaps during Saturday’s win. Mertz had a solid showing, throwing for 201 yards on 19 of 21 passing. Lagway was a perfect 7 for 7 for 76 passing yards while adding 22 yards rushing.

The two-quarterback system turned into a three-quarterback day after Mertz and Lagway provided enough insurance for the win. Late in the fourth quarter, Michael Van Buren, Jr., came in and led a scoring drive as the clock expired.

Mississippi State offense evolving

Despite pulling the game within one score on two different occasions, the Mississippi State offense could not overcome the defense’s deficiencies to nab the first conference win under first-year head coach Jeff Lebby.

It was evident the rushing attack was harped on this week during practice as the Bulldogs ran the ball for 236 yards on 50 carries after gaining just 66 yards on the ground against Toledo a week ago. Johnny Daniels, Davon Booth, and Keyvone Lee each had a touchdown with their legs.

Before leaving midway through the fourth quarter with an injury, Shapen was solid in the air game, throwing for 140 yards on 13 of 21 passing with a touchdown. The Baylor transfer threw no interceptions in the game.

The defense is devolving

Even with Mississippi State safety Isaac Smith being the top tackler in Division I FBS heading into the game against Florida, the unit could not stop the Gators on the ground or in the air.

The pass rush was notably absent with zero sacks and just two tackles made behind the line of scrimmage. The secondary was picked apart by Mertz and Lagway with the Bulldogs only tallying one pass breakup.

On the season, Mississippi State continued to find its seat in the cellar of the SEC when it comes to total defense. Going into the game, Florida and Mississippi State were ranked last and second to last in the conference, with the Gators showing they might be a bit better on that side of the ball than the Bulldogs.

Another stat worth pointing out is that five of Mississippi State’s top seven tacklers are secondary players, which means too many explosive plays are happening as the box has failed to stop the run and get pressure on the quarterback.

What the coach said

After the game, Lebby was not pleased with the defense failing to provide the offense with enough opportunities. At times, if the defense could have just found a turnover, it could have been the difference in a 14-point game and a tied game.

“It’s unfortunate the situation we put ourselves in defensively,” Lebby said. “We forced a number of third downs that we could not take advantage of along with allowing a few explosive plays.”

Lebby is facing his first losing streak as a head coach as the Bulldogs have now lost three in a row – to Arizona State, Toledo, Florida – after a season-opening win over Eastern Kentucky.

Scoring summary

After allowing the first score to Florida with 3:39 in the opening quarter, Mississippi State running back Davon Booth dove for a five-yard touchdown run.  Following the extra point conversion by Bulldog Kicker Kyle Ferrie with 21 seconds, the score was tied 7-7 at the end of the first quarter and this was the closest the Bulldogs would get.

The Gators scored three straight touchdowns on a 20-yard corner route to Marcus Burke from Mertz, a 35-yard go route between Mertz and Tight End Hayden Hansen, a 10-yard scamper from Ja’Kobi Jackson for a 28-7 lead with 1:17 left in the half.

Fortunately, Shapen and the Bulldog offense drove the field in six quick plays as the signal-caller snuck into the end zone from three yards out with 23 seconds left until the intermission. This cut into the deficit, but Mississippi State still trailed by two scores at the half.

Coming out of the gates, Florida was forced to punt on its first drive after the half, and the Bulldogs took advantage of the momentum shift by forcing a 13-play drive, which finished with a touchdown pass from Shapen to Jordan Mosley. Once the PAT was good, the score was 28-21 and this would be the closest Mississippi State could manage.

Florida scored 17 straight punts and the Bulldogs turned the ball over inside the goal line at the start of the fourth quarter. Despite Van Buren’s entrance and Mississippi State’s score, the Gators’ lead was insurmountable.

Next up

The Mississippi State Bulldogs will hit the road next week, playing against No. 1 Texas Longhorns in Austin next Saturday. That game will kick off at a time to be determined.