STARKVILLE — Mississippi State’s offense, on its fifth possession of Saturday’s game, had finally picked itself up off the mat.
The Bulldogs drove 53 yards in eight plays and scored on an 8-yard touchdown pass from Will Rogers to Lideatrick “Tulu” Griffin that gave MSU its first post-first quarter lead since the Oct. 21 win at Arkansas.
The heartbeat of the Bulldogs’ defense backed up the touchdown immediately. Middle linebacker and co-captain Nathaniel “Bookie” Watson, in his sixth year with the MSU program, is the Bulldogs’ nominee for the 2023 C Spire Conerly Trophy as the best college football player in Mississippi, and was also named a semifinalist for the Butkus Award as college football’s best linebacker.
Watson has earned every one of those accolades, and he showed why on the first play of the ensuing Golden Eagles drive. He came unblocked on a blitz from quarterback Ethan Crawford’s right side, and Crawford did not see him coming as he looked to his left for an open receiver. Watson’s hit knocked the ball from Crawford’s grasp, and defensive lineman Nathan Pickering recovered at the Southern Miss 14-yard line.
It was the first turnover MSU (5-6) had forced in four weeks, and although the Bulldogs could only turn it into a field goal, it was the crown jewel of a career day for Watson, who made 21 tackles to move into ninth all-time in Southeastern Conference history in that category.
“Can’t say enough about Bookie. That’s my guy,” said linebacker Jett Johnson, who had 18 tackles himself Saturday and is one ahead of Watson on the season for the SEC lead. “I love him to death. Great football player, obviously, but an even better person. (He’s) kind of shy out in public, but people need to know he’s a great person too. I’m thankful to be able to play beside him.”
Rogers, Marks shake off the rust in return
For the first time since September, MSU’s offense was at full strength Saturday as Rogers — who had not played since injuring his left shoulder against Western Michigan on Oct. 7 — returned to action. Lead running back Jo’Quavious “Woody” Marks, after missing the Bulldogs’ last three games, was also back, and although neither put up stellar numbers, both provided much-needed leadership and stability.
The Bulldogs led by nine points at the half, and after the defense forced a three-and-out, Rogers connected with Zavion Thomas to his right, and Thomas cut back across the field for a 35-yard gain. Three plays later, Rogers faked a handoff to Marks, then flipped the ball to him in the left flat and let the running back do the rest. Defended by a block from Thomas, Marks crossed the goal line just inside the left pylon for a 15-yard touchdown.
“(Rogers) is getting better,” interim head coach Greg Knox said. “We have to get him back to his form. Knowing him, he’s going to come out Monday and he’s going to go to work. He just let the team know that in the locker room.”
Pittman’s big run eases the tension
With a 23-7 lead, MSU appeared to be in cruise control heading into the fourth quarter. But on fourth down from the Bulldogs’ 44, the Golden Eagles (3-8) picked up a blitz and allowed quarterback Billy Wiles to find his leading receiver, Jakarius Caston. Caston slipped ankle-tackles from safety Corey Ellington and cornerback Brice Pollock, then had nothing but open field in front of him for the score.
The Bulldogs took five minutes off the clock on their next drive and tacked on a field goal, but on the kickoff that followed, Caston picked up several blocks and found a seam, taking it back 98 yards for a touchdown that suddenly trimmed the Southern Miss deficit to 26-20.
MSU needed an explosive response, and it got just that in the form of running back Jeffery Pittman. The junior college transfer, one play after picking up 16 yards on a run up the middle, hit a big hole on the left side of the line and outraced the Golden Eagles’ secondary for a 59-yard score, his first rushing touchdown as a Bulldog. Rogers connected with a wide-open Thomas for a two-point conversion to give MSU some breathing room.
“(The running backs) complement each other,” Knox said. “They love each other. They play hard. Whichever one is in the game, I have confidence in all of them. It was a good day running the ball for us.”
Mississippi State athletics Mississippi State Football MSU
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