2021 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team

Last updated

2021 Mississippi State Bulldogs football
Mississippi State Bulldogs logo.svg
Liberty Bowl, L 7–34 vs. Texas Tech
Conference Southeastern Conference
DivisionWestern Division
Record7–6 (4–4 SEC)
Head coach
Offensive scheme Air raid
Defensive coordinator Zach Arnett (2nd season)
Base defense 3–3–5
Home stadium Davis Wade Stadium
Seasons
  2020
2022  
2021 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
Eastern Division
No. 1 Georgia x#^  8 0   14 1  
No. 18 Kentucky*  5 3   10 3  
Tennessee  4 4   7 6  
Missouri  3 5   6 7  
South Carolina  3 5   7 6  
Florida  2 6   6 7  
Vanderbilt  0 8   2 10  
Western Division
No. 2 Alabama x$^  7 1   13 2  
No. 11 Ole Miss  6 2   10 3  
No. 21 Arkansas  4 4   9 4  
Mississippi State  4 4   7 6  
Texas A&M  4 4   8 4  
Auburn  3 5   6 7  
LSU  3 5   6 7  
Championship: Alabama 41, Georgia 24
  • # College Football Playoff champion
  • ^ College Football Playoff participant
  • $ Conference champion
  • x Division champion/co-champions
  • * – Kentucky vacated all wins due to NCAA violations.
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2021 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team represented Mississippi State University in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bulldogs played their home games at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi, and competed in the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They were led by second-year head coach Mike Leach.

Contents

Coaching staff

Staff from 2021. [1]

NamePosition
Mike Leach Head coach
Tony Hughes Associate head coach & Nickelbacks Coach
Zach Arnett Defensive coordinator & Linebackers coach
Matt Brock Special teams coordinator & Outside Linebackers Coach
Darcel McBath Cornerbacks coach
Eric MeleRunning backs coach
Mason MillerOffensive line coach
Dave NicholInside receivers coach
Jeff PhelpsDefensive line coach
Steve Spurrier Jr. Outside receivers coach
Jason Washington Safeties coach
Tyson BrownHead strength and conditioning coach

SEC Media Days

In the preseason media poll, Mississippi State was predicted to finish last in the West Division. [2]

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 43:00 p.m. Louisiana Tech * ESPNU W 35–3444,669
September 116:00 p.m. NC State *
  • Davis Wade Stadium
  • Starkville, MS
ESPN2 W 24–1045,834
September 183:00 p.m.at Memphis *ESPN2L 29–3143,461
September 2511:00 a.m. LSU
  • Davis Wade Stadium
  • Starkville, MS (rivalry)
ESPNL 25–2850,298
October 26:00 p.m.at No. 15 Texas A&M SECN W 26–2287,973
October 166:00 p.m.No. 5 Alabama
  • Davis Wade Stadium
  • Starkville, MS (rivalry)
ESPN L 9–4953,796
October 233:00 p.m.at Vanderbilt SECNW 45–622,036
October 306:00 p.m.No. 12 Kentucky Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Davis Wade Stadium
  • Starkville, MS
SECNW 31–1749,487
November 63:00 p.m.at Arkansas No. 17SECNL 28–3168,818
November 1311:00 a.m.at No. 17 Auburn ESPNW 43–3487,451
November 2011:00 a.m. Tennessee State *No. 25
  • Davis Wade Stadium
  • Starkville, MS
ESPN+, SECN+W 55–1046,770
November 256:30 p.m.No. 9 Ole Miss
  • Davis Wade Stadium
  • Starkville, MS (Egg Bowl)
ESPNL 21–3155,601
December 285:45 p.m.vs. Texas Tech *
ESPNL 7–3448,615

[3]

Game summaries

Louisiana Tech

Team1234Total
Louisiana Tech71410334
Mississippi State14002135
Pregame lineOver/under
-20.553
StatisticsLA TechMSU
First downs1422
Total yards369436
Rushing yards10166
Passing yards268371
Turnovers24
Time of possession27:4032:20
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Louisiana TechPassing Austin Kendall 20/36, 269 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
RushingAustin Kendall5 carries, 68 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Bub Means 2 receptions, 94 yards, 1 TD
Mississippi StatePassing Will Rogers 39/47, 370 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Jo'Quavious Marks 12 carries, 71 yards, 2 TD’S
ReceivingJamire Calvin3 receptions, 67 yards, 1 TD

NC State

Team1234Total
NC State030710
Mississippi State777324
  • Date:
    September 11
  • Location:
    Starkville, MS
  • Game start:
    6:05 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 45,834
  • Game weather: 83, Sunny, Wind SE @ 4 mph
  • Referee: Jerry Magallanes
  • TV announcers (ESPN2):
    Anish Shroff (play-by-play), Mike Golic Jr. (analyst), and Taylor McGregor (sideline) [6]
  
Pregame lineOver/under
+1.556
StatisticsNC StateMSU
First downs1615
Total yards335316
Rushing yards3222
Passing yards303294
Turnovers30
Time of possession28:5431:06
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
NC StatePassing Devin Leary 30/49, 303 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Zonovan Knight 8 carries, 31 yards
ReceivingEmeka Emezie6 receptions, 92 yards
Mississippi StatePassingWill Rogers33/49, 294 yards, 2 TD's
Rushing Dillon Johnson 6 carries, 18 yards
ReceivingDillon Johnson6 receptions, 70 yards

At Memphis

Team1234Total
Mississippi State31401229
Memphis7071731
  • Date:
    September 18
  • Location:
    Memphis, TN
  • Game start:
    3:05 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 43,461
  • Game weather: 77, Cloudy, Wind NE @ 7 mph
  • Referee: Marc Curles
  • TV announcers (ESPN2):
    Beth Mowins (play-by-play), Kirk Morrison (analyst), and Dawn Davenport (field) [8]
      
Pregame lineOver/under
-3.064
StatisticsMSUMemphis
First downs2612
Total yards468246
Rushing yards4987
Passing yards419159
Turnovers11
Time of possession40:3319:27
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Mississippi StatePassingWill Rogers50/67, 419 yards, 3 TD
RushingDillon Johnson7 carries, 49 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Makai Polk 11 receptions, 136 yards, 1 TD
MemphisPassing Seth Henigan 16/28, 159 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
RushingBrandon Thomas16 carries, 86 yards
Receiving Calvin Austin 9 receptions, 105 yards, 2 TD

LSU

Team1234Total
LSU7014728
Mississippi State0371525
  • Date:
    September 25
  • Location:
    Starkville, MS
  • Game start:
    11:07 a.m.
  • Game attendance: 50,298
  • Game weather: 74, Sunny, Wind NW @ 2 mph
  • Referee: Alex Moore
  • TV announcers (ESPN):
    Bob Wischusen (play-by-play), Dan Orlovsky (analyst), and Kris Budden (sideline reporter) [10]
Pregame lineOver/under
+1.556
StatisticsLSUMSU
First downs1529
Total yards343486
Rushing yards63115
Passing yards280371
Turnovers12
Time of possession24:5235:08
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
LSUPassing Max Johnson 17/27, 280 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Tyrion Davis-Price 13 carries, 51 yards
Receiving Kayshon Boutte 4 receptions, 85 yards, 2 TD
Mississippi StatePassingWill Rogers47/62, 371 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
RushingDillon Johnson8 carries, 51 yards
ReceivingMakai Polk8 receptions, 78 yards, 1 TD

At No. 15 Texas A&M

Team1234Total
Mississippi State1077226
No. 15 Texas A&M766322
Pregame lineOver/under
+7.047
StatisticsMSUTexas A&M
First downs2715
Total yards438297
Rushing yards30162
Passing yards408135
Turnovers01
Time of possession35:0624:54
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Mississippi StatePassingWill Rogers46/59, 408 yards, 3 TD
RushingDillon Johnson6 carries, 19 yards
ReceivingMakai Polk13 receptions, 126 yards, 2 TD
Texas A&MPassing Zach Calzada 12/20, 135 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Isaiah Spiller 16 carries, 100 yards
ReceivingJalen Preston2 receptions, 49 yards

No. 5 Alabama

Team1234Total
No. 5 Alabama147141449
Mississippi State33309
  • Date:
    October 16
  • Location:
    Starkville, MS
  • Game start:
    6:11 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 53,796
  • Game weather: 63, Sunny, Wind N @ 7 mph
  • Referee: Matt Loeffler
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Joe Tessitore (play-by-play), Greg McElroy (analyst) and Katie George (sideline) [14]
Pregame lineOver/under
+17.058
StatisticsAlabamaMSU
First downs2224
Total yards543299
Rushing yards195-1
Passing yards348300
Turnovers03
Time of possession29:5330:07
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AlabamaPassing Bryce Young 20/28, 348 yards, 4 TD
Rushing Roydell Williams 11 carries, 78 yards
Receiving John Metchie III 7 receptions, 117 yards, 1 TD
Mississippi StatePassingWill Rogers35/55, 300 yards, 3 INT
RushingDillon Johnson7 carries, 24 yards
Receiving Jaden Walley 6 receptions, 64 yards

At Vanderbilt

Team1234Total
Mississippi State101471445
Vanderbilt03306
  • Date:
    October 23
  • Location:
    Nashville, TN
  • Game start: 3:01 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 22,036
  • Game weather: Sunny
  • Referee: Ken Williamson
  • TV announcers (SECN): Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play), Matt Stinchcomb (analyst) and Alyssa Lang (sideline reporter) [16]
Pregame lineOver/under
-20.553
StatisticsMSUVanderbilt
First downs295
Total yards522155
Rushing yards619
Passing yards461146
Turnovers21
Time of possession39:0220:58
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Mississippi StatePassingWill Rogers41/57, 384 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
RushingDillon Johnson7 carries, 34 yards
ReceivingJaden Walley5 receptions, 72 yards
VanderbiltPassing Mike Wright 12/17, 122 yards, 1 INT
RushingRocko Griffin7 carries, 12 yards
ReceivingDevin Boddie Jr.4 receptions, 69 yards

No. 12 Kentucky

Team1234Total
No. 12 Kentucky730717
Mississippi State01417031
  • Date:
    October 30
  • Location:
    Starkville, MS
  • Game start: 6:09 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 49,487
  • Game weather: 55, Cloudy, Wind NW @ 5 mph
  • Referee: Lee Hendrick
  • TV announcers (SECN): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst), Cole Cubelic (sideline) [18]
Pregame lineOver/under
-1.047
StatisticsKentuckyMSU
First downs1427
Total yards216438
Rushing yards6694
Passing yards150344
Turnovers40
Time of possession18:5041:10
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
KentuckyPassing Will Levis 17/28, 150 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT
Rushing Chris Rodriguez Jr. 8 carries, 34 yards
Receiving Wan'Dale Robinson 9 receptions, 79 yards
Mississippi StatePassingWill Rogers36/39, 344 yards, 1 TD
RushingJo’Quavious Marks20 carries, 58 yards , 1 TD
ReceivingJaden Walley6 receptions, 95 yards

At Arkansas

Team1234Total
No. 17 Mississippi State0771428
Arkansas10331531
Pregame lineOver/under
+4.054
StatisticsMSUArkansas
First downs2823
Total yards486393
Rushing yards69202
Passing yards417191
Turnovers10
Time of possession32:1427:46
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Mississippi StatePassingWill Rogers36/48, 417 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT
RushingJo'Quavious Marks11 carries, 40 yards
ReceivingMakai Polk8 receptions, 117 yards
ArkansasPassing KJ Jefferson 19/23, 191 yards, 1 TD
RushingDominique Johnson17 carries, 107 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Treylon Burks 6 receptions, 82 yards, 1 TD

At No. 17 Auburn

Team1234Total
Mississippi State37132043
No. 17 Auburn14140634
Pregame lineOver/under
+5.551
StatisticsMSUAuburn
First downs3122
Total yards487483
Rushing yards72106
Passing yards415377
Turnovers01
Time of possession35:0124:59
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Mississippi StatePassingWill Rogers44/55, 415 yards, 6 TD
RushingDillon Johnson8 carries, 62 yards
ReceivingJaden Walley7 receptions, 87 yards
AuburnPassing Bo Nix 27/41, 377 yards, 2 TD
RushingJa'Varrius Johnson1 carries, 57 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Kobe Hudson 8 receptions, 107 yards, 1 TD

Tennessee State

Team1234Total
Tennessee State0001010
No. 25 Mississippi State211414655
  • Date:
    November 20
  • Location:
    Starkville, MS
  • Game start: 11:02 a.m.
  • Game attendance: 46,770
  • Game weather: 55, Sunny, Wind SE @ 8 mph
  • Referee: Daniel Gautreaux
  • TV announcers (ESPN+/SECN+): Mike Couzens (play-by-play), Dustin Fox (analyst) [24]
Pregame lineOver/under
-44.056
StatisticsTenn StateMSU
First downs1423
Total yards205600
Rushing yards35107
Passing yards170493
Turnovers12
Time of possession35:2024:40
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Tennessee StatePassingDeveon Bryant9/11, 128 yards
RushingDevon Starling11 carries, 33 yards
ReceivingCam Wyche4 receptions, 88 yards
Mississippi StatePassingWill Rogers28/34, 391 yards, 5 TD
RushingDillon Johnson5 carries, 56 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingMakai Polk9 receptions, 110 yards, 1 TD

No. 9 Ole Miss

Egg Bowl
Team1234Total
No. 9 Ole Miss3771431
Mississippi State6001521
  • Date: November 25
  • Location: Starkville, MS
  • Game start: 6:33 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 55,601
  • Game weather: Rain • Temperature: 55 °F (13 °C)
  • Referee: Ken Williamson
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Joe Tessitore (play-by-play), Greg McElroy (analyst) and Katie George (sideline)
Pregame lineOver/under
-2.065
StatisticsOle MissMSU
First downs2330
Total yards388420
Rushing yards15484
Passing yards234336
Turnovers10
Time of possession30:1629:44
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Ole MissPassing Matt Corral 26/34, 234 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Jerrion Ealy 16 carries, 60 yards
Receiving Dontario Drummond 14 receptions, 138 yards
Mississippi StatePassingWill Rogers38/58, 336 yards, 1 TD
RushingJo'Quavious Marks8 carries, 45 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingMakai Polk10 receptions, 98 yards

Vs. Texas Tech

AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Team1234Total
Texas Tech10314734
Mississippi State07007
  • Date: December 28
  • Location: Memphis, TN
  • Game start: 5:45 pm CST
  • Game attendance: 48,615
  • Game weather: Temperature: 69 °F (21 °C) • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: S 10 MPH
  • Referee: Riley Jefferson
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Neal (play-by-play), Deuce McAllister (analyst), Andraya Carter (sideline)
Pregame lineOver/under
-10.058
StatisticsTTUMSU
First downs2421
Total yards512344
Rushing yards26054
Passing yards252290
Turnovers03
Time of possession30:5728:41
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Texas TechPassing Donovan Smith 15/28, 252 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Tahj Brooks 16 rushes, 107 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Myles Price 3 receptions, 72 yards
Mississippi StatePassingWill Rogers32/53, 290 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingDillon Johnson9 rushes, 62 yards
ReceivingAustin Williams5 receptions, 74 yards

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend:██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
AP RVRVRVRVRVRVRV
Coaches RVRVRVRVRVRVRVRVRV
CFP Not released1725Not released

Statistics

Scoring

Scores by quarter (non-conference opponents)

1234Total
All opponents1417173785
Mississippi State45352142143

Scores by quarter (SEC opponents)

1234Total
SEC opponents62434766218
Mississippi State32556180228

Team statistics

Players drafted into the NFL

Mississippi State had two players selected in the 2022 NFL draft. [28]

RoundPickPlayerPositionNFL club
19 Charles Cross OT Seattle Seahawks
368 Martin Emerson CB Cleveland Browns

References

  1. "Football Coaches". Mississippi State. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  2. "Preseason SEC media poll, All-SEC Team announced". SECSports.com. Southeastern Conference. September 23, 2020.
  3. "2021 Mississippi State Football Schedule". FBSchedule. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  4. Molly Weisner (September 4, 2021). "How to watch Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Louisiana Tech football on TV, live stream". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  5. R.J. Morgan (September 3, 2021). "Mississippi St. avoids La. Tech upset bid with 35-34 win". Yahoo! News. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  6. Molly Weisner (September 10, 2021). "How to watch Mississippi State vs. NC State football on TV, live stream plus game time". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  7. Theo Derosa (September 12, 2021). "Griffin's kick return leads Mississippi St. over NC St". The News & Observer. Archived from the original on September 12, 2021. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  8. Molly Weisner (September 17, 2021). "How to watch Mississippi State vs. Memphis Tigers football on live stream, TV". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  9. Frank Bonner II (September 18, 2021). "Tigers go down to the wire in thrilling win over Mississippi State". The Daily Memphian. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  10. Molly Weisner (September 23, 2021). "How to watch Mississippi State football vs. LSU Tigers on TV, live stream". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  11. "Johnson has 4 TD passes, LSU outlasts Mississippi St. 28-25". WLOX. September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  12. Nick Gray (October 2, 2021). "How to watch Mississippi State football vs. Texas A&M Aggies on TV, live stream". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  13. Zach Taylor (October 3, 2021). "No. 15 Aggie Football Upset by Mississippi State". WTAW (AM). Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  14. Molly Weisner (October 15, 2021). "How to watch Mississippi State vs. Alabama football on TV, live stream plus game time". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
  15. David Cobb (October 16, 2021). "Alabama vs. Mississippi State score, takeaways: No. 5 Tide demolish Bulldogs in get-right game". CBS Sports. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  16. Molly Weisner (October 22, 2021). "How to watch Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Vanderbilt football on TV, live stream". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  17. Aria Gerson (October 23, 2021). "Vanderbilt football crushed by Mississippi State, 45-6". The Tennessean. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  18. Molly Weisner (October 29, 2021). "How to watch Mississippi State vs. Kentucky football on TV and live stream". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  19. Gabriel Stovall (October 30, 2021). "Kentucky vs. Mississippi State: The Wildcats fall to Bulldogs 31-17". Louisville Courier Journal. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  20. Molly Weisner (November 5, 2021). "How to watch Mississippi State vs. Arkansas football on TV and live stream". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  21. Eric W. Bolin (November 6, 2021). "Arkansas scores in final minute to beat Mississippi State". Associated Press. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  22. Molly Weisner (November 11, 2021). "How to watch Mississippi State vs. Auburn football on TV, live stream". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  23. Tom Green (November 13, 2021). "Auburn's defense surrenders 40 unanswered points in loss to Mississippi State". AL.com. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  24. Molly Weisner (November 18, 2021). "How to watch Mississippi State vs. Tennessee State football on live stream". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  25. "Mississippi State dominates Tennessee State 55-10". WLBT. November 20, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  26. "Ole Miss defeats Mississippi State in 94th Egg Bowl". WLBT. November 26, 2021. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  27. "Box Score". ESPN. December 28, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  28. "2022 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 23, 2024.