2023 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team

American college football season

2023 Mississippi State Bulldogs football

Conference| Southeastern Conference
Division| Western Division
Record| 5–7 (1–7 SEC)
Head coach|

* Zach Arnett (1st season; first 10 games)
* Greg Knox (interim; remainder of season)

Offensive coordinator| Kevin Barbay (1st season)
Offensive scheme| Pro-style[1]
Defensive coordinator| Matt Brock (1st season)
Base defense| 3–3–5
Home stadium| Davis Wade Stadium

Seasons

<- 2022

2024 ->

2023 Southeastern Conference football standings

* v
* t
* e

| Conf. |  |  | Overall

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Team |  | W |  | L |  |  |  |  | W |  | L |
Eastern Division
No. 4 Georgia xy  |  | 8  | - | 0  |  |  |  |  | 13  | - | 1  |
No. 8 Missouri |  | 6  | - | 2  |  |  |  |  | 11  | - | 2  |
No. 17 Tennessee |  | 4  | - | 4  |  |  |  |  | 9  | - | 4  |
Kentucky |  | 3  | - | 5  |  |  |  |  | 7  | - | 6  |
Florida |  | 3  | - | 5  |  |  |  |  | 5  | - | 7  |
South Carolina |  | 3  | - | 5  |  |  |  |  | 5  | - | 7  |
Vanderbilt |  | 0  | - | 8  |  |  |  |  | 2  | - | 10  |
Western Division
No. 5 Alabama xy$^  |  | 8  | - | 0  |  |  |  |  | 12  | - | 2  |
No. 9 Ole Miss |  | 6  | - | 2  |  |  |  |  | 11  | - | 2  |
No. 12 LSU |  | 6  | - | 2  |  |  |  |  | 10  | - | 3  |
Texas A&M |  | 4  | - | 4  |  |  |  |  | 7  | - | 6  |
Auburn |  | 3  | - | 5  |  |  |  |  | 6  | - | 7  |
Mississippi State |  | 1  | - | 7  |  |  |  |  | 5  | - | 7  |
Arkansas |  | 1  | - | 7  |  |  |  |  | 4  | - | 8  |
Championship:  Alabama 27, Georgia 24

* ^ - College Football Playoff participant
* $ - Conference champion
* x - Division champion/co-champions
* y - Championship game participant

Rankings from AP Poll

The 2023 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team represented Mississippi State University in the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bulldogs were led by Zach Arnett, who was promoted from defensive coordinator to head coach in December 2022 following the death of Mike Leach,[2] until his firing on November 13, 2023.[3]

The Mississippi State football team played its home games at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi. This was also the final year for the West division as Texas and Oklahoma joined the SEC in 2024. The Mississippi State Bulldogs football team drew an average home attendance of 54,455 in 2023.

## Schedule

[edit]

Mississippi State and the SEC announced the 2023 football schedule on September 20, 2022.[4][5] The 2023 Bulldogs' schedule consists of 8 home games and 4 away games for the regular season. Mississippi State will host four SEC conference opponents Alabama (rivalry), Kentucky, LSU (rivalry) and Ole Miss (Egg Bowl) at home and will travel to four SEC opponents, Arkansas, Auburn, South Carolina and Texas A&M to close out the SEC regular season on the road. Mississippi State is not scheduled to play SEC East opponents Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Tennessee and Vanderbilt in the 2023 regular season. The Bulldogs' bye week comes during week 7 (on October 14, 2023).

Mississippi State out of conference opponents represent the MAC, Pac-12, SLC and the Sun Belt conferences. The Bulldogs will host all four non–conference games which are against Arizona from the Pac-12, Southeastern Louisiana from the SLC (FCS), Southern Miss from the Sunbelt and Western Michigan from the MAC.

Date| Time| Opponent| Site| TV| Result| Attendance

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September 2| 3:00 p.m.| No. 15 (FCS) Southeastern Louisiana*|

* Davis Wade Stadium
* Starkville, MS

| SECN| W 48–7| 50,041
September 9| 6:30 p.m.| Arizona*|

* Davis Wade Stadium
* Starkville, MS

| SECN| W 31–24 OT| 51,648
September 16| 11:00 a.m.| No. 14 LSU|

* Davis Wade Stadium
* Starkville, MS (rivalry / SEC Nation)

| ESPN| L 14–41| 60,084
September 23| 6:30 p.m.| at South Carolina|

* Williams–Brice Stadium
* Columbia, SC

| SECN| L 30–37| 78,311
September 30| 8:00 p.m.| No. 12 Alabama|

* Davis Wade Stadium
* Starkville, MS (rivalry)

| ESPN| L 17–40| 60,111
October 7| 11:00 a.m.| Western Michigan*|

* Davis Wade Stadium
* Starkville, MS

| SECN| W 41–28| 47,158
October 21| 11:00 a.m.| at Arkansas|

* Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
* Fayetteville, AR

| ESPN| W 7–3| 71,505
October 28| 2:30 p.m.| at Auburn|

* Jordan–Hare Stadium
* Auburn, AL

| SECN| L 13–27| 88,043
November 4| 6:30 p.m.| Kentucky|

* Davis Wade Stadium
* Starkville, MS

| SECN| L 3–24| 52,329
November 11| 6:30 p.m.| at Texas A&M|

* Kyle Field
* College Station, TX

| ESPN2| L 10–51| 103,266
November 18| 11:00 a.m.| Southern Miss*|

* Davis Wade Stadium
* Starkville, MS

| SECN+/ESPN+| W 41–20| 53,855
November 23| 6:30 p.m.| No. 12 Ole Miss|

* Davis Wade Stadium
* Starkville, MS (Egg Bowl)

| ESPN| L 7–17| 60,412

* *Non-conference game
* Homecoming
* Rankings from AP Poll (and CFP Rankings, after November 1) – Released prior to game
* All times are in Central time

[6]

## Game summaries

[edit]

### vs No. 15 Southeastern Louisiana

[edit]

See also: 2023 Southeastern Louisiana Lions football team

Game One – No. 15 Southeastern Louisiana Lions (FCS) (0–0) vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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No. 15 Southeastern Louisiana (FCS) | 0 | 7 | 0| 0| 7
Mississippi State | 3 | 17 | 7| 21| 48

at Davis Wade Stadium • Starkville, Mississippi

* Date: Saturday, September 2, 2023[7]
* Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 78 °F (26 °C) • Wind: SE 8 mph
* Game attendance: 50,041
* Referee: Steve Marlowe
* TV announcers (SECN): Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play), Matt Stinchcomb (analyst), Alyssa Lang (sideline)

Game information

First quarter

* (4:02) MSST – Kyle Ferrie 47-yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 56 yards, 5:07; Mississippi State 3–0)

Second quarter

* (13:46) MSST – Jo'quavious Marks 1-yard run (Kyle Ferrie kick) (Drive: 3 plays, 36 yards, 1:06; Mississippi State 10–0)
* (5:32) SELA – Jacob Logan 2-yard pass from Zachary Clement (Riley Callaghan kick) (Drive: 16 plays, 79 yards, 8:09; Mississippi State 10–7)
* (1:29) MSST – Creed Whittemore 33-yard pass from Will Rogers (Kyle Ferrie kick) (Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:03; Mississippi State 17–7)
* (0:00) MSST – Kyle Ferrie 49-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 29 yards, 0:44; Mississippi State 20–7)

Third quarter

* (1:30) MSST – Jaden Walley 5-yard pass from Will Rogers (Kyle Ferrie kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 82 yards, 3:29; Mississippi State 27–7)

Fourth quarter

* (14:53) MSST – Avery Sledge 11-yard punt return (Kyle Ferrie kick) (Mississippi State 34–7)
* (9:20) MSST – Jo'Quavious Marks 6-yard run (Kyle Ferrie kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 85 yards, 3:05; Mississippi State 41–7)
* (5:19) MSST – Creed Whittemore 53-yard run (Kyle Ferrie kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 72 yards, 2:10; Mississippi State 48–7)

Statistics | SELA | MSST

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First downs | 10 | 23
Total yards | 54–208 | 68–525
Rushing yards | 26–83 | 39–298
Passing yards | 125 | 227
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 16–28–0 | 20–29–0
Time of possession | 28:58 | 31:02
Team | Category | Player | Statistics

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Southeastern Louisiana | Passing | Eli Sawyer | 11/19, 85 yards
Rushing | Harlan Dixon | 8 carries, 51 yards
Receiving | Harlan Dixon | 4 receptions, 42 yards
Mississippi State | Passing | Will Rogers | 20/29, 227 yards, 2 TD
Rushing | Jo'Quavious Marks | 19 carries, 127 yards, 2 TD
Receiving | Creed Whittemore | 4 receptions, 59 yards, TD

### vs Arizona

[edit]

See also: 2023 Arizona Wildcats football team

Game Two – Arizona Wildcats (1–0) at Mississippi State Bulldogs (1–0) – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| OT| Total

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Arizona | 0 | 7 | 7| 10| 0| 24
Mississippi State | 14 | 0 | 7| 3| 7| 31

at Davis Wade Stadium • Starkville, MS

* Date: Saturday, September 9, 2023
* Game time: 6:30 p.m. CST
* Game weather: Sunny, 82 °F (28 °C)
* Game attendance: 51,648
* Referee: John Love
* TV announcers (SEC Network): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst), Cole Cubelic (sideline)

Game information

First quarter

* (5:06) MSST – Lideatrick Griffin 23-yard pass from Will Rogers (Kyle Ferrie kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 50 yards, 1:53; Mississippi State 7–0)
* (3:27) MSST – Jo'Quavious Marks 1-yard run (Kyle Ferrie kick) (Drive: 2 plays, 6 yards, 0:22; Mississippi State 14–0)

Second quarter

* (0:02) ARIZ – Jayden de Laura 1-yard run (Tyler Loop kick) (Drive: 3 plays, 77 yards, 0:38; Mississippi State 14–7)

Third quarter

* (11:07) MSST – Lideatrick Griffin 15-yard pass from Will Rogers (Kyle Ferrie kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 30 yards, 2:06; Mississippi State 21–7)
* (6:34) ARIZ– Jacob Cowing 17-yard pass from Jayden de Laura (Tyler Loop kick) (Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:33; Mississippi State 21–14)

Fourth quarter

* (9:14) ARIZ – Tetairoa McMillan 11-yard pass from Jayden de Laura (Tyler Loop kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 3:40; Tied 21–21)
* (6:47) MSST – Kyle Ferrie 36-yard field goal (Drive: 5 plays, 57 yards, 2:27; Mississippi State 24–21)
* (0:05) ARIZ – Tyler Loop 36-yard field goal (Drive: 5 plays, 57 yards, 2:31; Tied 24–24)

First overtime

* (0:00) MSST – Jeffery Pittman 29-yard pass from Will Rogers (Kyle Ferrie kick) (Drive: 2 plays, 25 yards, 0:00; Mississippi State 31–24)

Statistics | ARIZ | MSST

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First downs | 23 | 16
Total yards | 72–431 | 56–307
Rushing yards | 25–91 | 38–145
Passing yards | 340 | 162
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 33–47–4 | 13–17–0
Time of possession | 32:22 | 27:38
Team | Category | Player | Statistics

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Arizona | Passing | Jayden de Laura | 32/46, 342 yards, 2 TD, 4 INT
Rushing | Jayden de Laura | 8 carries, 44 yards, TD
Receiving | Tetairoa McMillan | 8 receptions, 161 yards, TD
Mississippi State | Passing | Will Rogers | 13/17, 162 yards, 3 TD
Rushing | Jo'Quavious Marks | 24 carries, 123 yards, TD
Receiving | Lideatrick Griffin | 5 receptions, 83 yards, 2 TD

### vs No. 14 LSU

[edit]

See also: 2023 LSU Tigers football team

Game Three – No. 14 LSU Tigers (1–1) at Mississippi State Bulldogs (2–0) – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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No. 14 LSU | 10 | 14 | 10| 7| 41
Mississippi State | 0 | 7 | 0| 7| 14

at Davis Wade Stadium • Starkville, MS

* Date: Saturday, September 16, 2023
* Game time: 11:00 a.m. CST
* Game weather: Sunny, 81 °F (27 °C)
* Game attendance: 60,084
* Referee: Jason Autrey
* TV announcers (ESPN): Joe Tessitore (play-by-play), Jesse Palmer (analyst), Katie George (sideline)

Game information

First quarter

* (6:36) LSU – Damian Ramos 22-yard field goal (Drive: 14 plays, 77 yards, 7:12; LSU 3–0)
* (3:38) LSU – Malik Nabers 26-yard pass from Jayden Daniels (Damian Ramos kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 70 yards, 1:50; LSU 10–0)

Second quarter

* (14:11) LSU – Malik Nabers 33-yard pass from Jayden Daniels (Damian Ramos kick) (Drive: 8 plays, 63 yards, 3:13; LSU 17–0)
* (3:24) LSU – Josh Williams 1-yard run (Damian Ramos kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 66 yards, 2:45; LSU 24–0)
* (0:50) MSST – Lideatrick Griffin 9-yard run (Kyle Ferrie kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 72 yards, 2:34; LSU 24–7)

Third quarter

* (10:41) LSU – Damian Ramos 41-yard field goal (Drive: 11 plays, 53 yards, 4:19; LSU 27–7)
* (3:27) LSU – Jayden Daniels 5-yard run (Damian Ramos kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 62 yards, 2:31; LSU 34–7)

Fourth quarter

* (12:11) LSU – Jayden Daniels 1-yard run (Damian Ramos kick) (Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 5:08; LSU 41–7)
* (4:26) MSST – Antonio Harmon 4-yard pass from Mike Wright (Kyle Ferrie kick) (Drive: 10 plays, 58 yards, 4:19; LSU 41–14)

Statistics | LSU | MSST

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First downs | 26 | 10
Total yards | 76–530 | 50–201
Rushing yards | 39–163 | 21–94
Passing yards | 367 | 107
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 31–37–0 | 12–29–0
Time of possession | 38:39 | 21:21
Team | Category | Player | Statistics

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LSU | Passing | Jayden Daniels | 30/34, 361 yards, 2 TD
Rushing | Jayden Daniels | 15 carries, 64 yards, 2 TD
Receiving | Malik Nabers | 13 receptions, 239 yards, 2 TD
Mississippi State | Passing | Will Rogers | 11/28, 103 yards
Rushing | Jo'Quavious Marks | 8 carries, 75 yards
Receiving | Zavion Thomas | 3 receptions, 52 yards

### at South Carolina

[edit]

See also: 2023 South Carolina Gamecocks football team

Game Four – Mississippi State Bulldogs (2–1) at South Carolina Gamecocks (1–2) – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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Mississippi State | 0 | 17 | 10| 3| 30
South Carolina | 7 | 13 | 7| 10| 37

at Williams-Brice Stadium • Columbia, South Carolina

* Date: Saturday, September 23, 2023
* Game time: 7:30 p.m. EST
* Game weather: Sunny, 80 °F (27 °C)
* Game attendance: 78,311
* Referee: Matt Loeffler
* TV announcers (SECN): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst), Cole Cubelic (sideline)

Game information

First quarter

* (9:46) SC – Xavier Legette 76-yard pass from Spencer Rattler (Mitch Jeter kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 98 yards, 2:18; South Carolina 7–0)

Second quarter

* (14:53) SC – Trey Knox 17-yard pass from Spencer Rattler (Mitch Jeter kick) (Drive: 16 plays, 99 yards, 7:15; South Carolina 14–0)
* (14:39) MSST – Lideatrick Griffin 65-yard pass from Will Rogers (Kyle Ferrie kick) (Drive: 2 plays, 65 yards, 0:14; South Carolina 14–7)
* (7:02) MSST – Jo'Quavious Marks 7-yard run (Kyle Ferrie kick) (Drive: 3 plays, 68 yards, 1:05; Tied 14–14)
* (0:38) SC – Dakereon Joyner 3-yard run (pass failed) (Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 6:24; South Carolina 20–14)
* (0:00) MSST – Kyle Ferrie 49-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 44 yards, 0:38; South Carolina 20–17)

Third quarter

* (14:50) SC – Xavier Legette 75-yard pass from Spencer Rattler (Mitch Jeter kick) (Drive: 1 play, 75 yards, 0:10; South Carolina 27–17)
* (10:26) MSST – Mike Wright 1-yard run (Kyle Ferrie kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:24; South Carolina 27–24)
* (2:00) MSST – Kyle Ferrie 23-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 39 yards, 5:12; Tied 27–27)

Fourth quarter

* (12:35) SC – Mitch Jeter 35-yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 58 yards, 4:25; South Carolina 30–27)
* (9:36) SC – Mario Anderson 9-yard run (Mitch Jeter kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 22 yards, 1:43; South Carolina 37–27)
* (2:13) MSST – Kyle Ferrie 47-yard field goal (Drive: 13 plays, 68 yards, 2:42; South Carolina 37–30)

Statistics | MSST | SC

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First downs | 20 | 19
Total yards | 71–519 | 67–432
Rushing yards | 23–32 | 47–144
Passing yards | 487 | 288
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 30–48–1 | 18–20–0
Time of possession | 28:18 | 31:42
Team | Category | Player | Statistics

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Mississippi State | Passing | Will Rogers | 30/48, 487 yards, TD, INT
Rushing | Jo'Quavious Marks | 12 carries, 27 yards, TD
Receiving | Lideatrick Griffin | 7 receptions, 256 yards, TD
South Carolina | Passing | Spencer Rattler | 18/20, 288 yards, 3 TD
Rushing | Mario Anderson | 26 carries, 88 yards, TD
Receiving | Xavier Legette | 5 receptions, 189 yards, 2 TD

### vs No. 12 Alabama (rivalry)

[edit]

See also: 2023 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

Game Five – No. 12 Alabama Crimson Tide (3–1) at Mississippi State Bulldogs (2–2) – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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No. 12 Alabama | 14 | 17 | 3| 6| 40
Mississippi State | 0 | 10 | 7| 0| 17

at Davis Wade Stadium • Starkville, MS

* Date: Saturday, September 30, 2023
* Game time: 8:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: Clear, 74 °F (23 °C) Wind NE @ 1 mph
* Game attendance: 60,111
* Referee: Ken Williamson
* TV announcers (ESPN): Mark Jones (play-by-play), Rod Gilmore (analyst), Quint Kessenich (sideline)

Game information

First quarter

* (4:48) ALA – Jalen Milroe 53-yard run (Will Reichard kick) (Drive: 3 plays, 70 yards, 1:21; Alabama 7–0)
* (3:51) ALA – Chris Braswell 28-yard interception return (Will Reichard kick) (Alabama 14–0)

Second quarter

* (12:44) MSST – Kyle Ferrie 31-yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 62 yards, 6:07; Alabama 14–3)
* (10:07) ALA – Will Reichard 48-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 46 yards, 2:37; Alabama 17–3)
* (6:26) MSST – Mike Wright 15-yard run (Kyle Ferrie kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 64 yards, 3:41; Alabama 17–10)
* (1:07) ALA – Jase McClellan 2-yard run (Will Reichard kick) (Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 5:19; Alabama 24–10)
* (0:31) ALA – Jalen Milroe 10-yard run (Will Reichard kick) (Drive: 3 plays, 31 yards, 0:26; Alabama 31–10)

Third quarter

* (9:11) MSST – Jeffrey Pittman 1-yard pass from Will Rogers (Kyle Ferrie kick) (Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 5:49; Alabama 31–17)
* (2:50) ALA – Will Reichard 38-yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 54 yards, 6:21; Alabama 34–17)

Fourth quarter

* (9:04) ALA – Will Reichard 34-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 18 yards, 3:29; Alabama 37–17)
* (6:08) ALA – Will Reichard 48-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 1:30; Alabama 40–17)

Statistics | ALA | MSST

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First downs | 17 | 15
Total yards | 56–357 | 62–261
Rushing yards | 43–193 | 35–154
Passing yards | 164 | 107
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 10–13–0 | 15–27–3
Time of possession | 30:10 | 29:50
Team | Category | Player | Statistics

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Alabama | Passing | Jalen Milroe | 10/12, 164 yards
Rushing | Jalen Milroe | 11 carries, 69 yards, 2 TD
Receiving | Amari Niblack | 3 receptions, 61 yards
Mississippi State | Passing | Will Rogers | 15/27, 107 yards, TD, 3 INT
Rushing | Jo'Quavious Marks | 9 carries, 68 yards
Receiving | Jeffery Pittman | 2 receptions, 23 yards, TD

### vs Western Michigan

[edit]

See also: 2023 Western Michigan Broncos football team

Game Six – Western Michigan Broncos (2–3) at Mississippi State Bulldogs (2–3) – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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Western Michigan | 0 | 7 | 14| 7| 28
Mississippi State | 10 | 7 | 14| 10| 41

at Davis Wade Stadium • Starkville, MS

* Date: Saturday, October 7, 2023
* Game time: 11:00 a.m. CST
* Game weather: Sunny, 62 °F (17 °C)
* Game attendance: 47,158
* Referee: Scott Walker
* TV announcers (SECN/ESPN+): Lowell Galindo (play-by-play), Derek Mason (analyst), Taylor Davis (sideline)

Game information

First quarter

* (10:09) MSST – Kyle Ferrie 31-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 34 yards, 2:45; Mississippi State 3–0)
* (6:04) MSST – Jordan Mosley 15-yard pass from Will Rogers (Kyle Ferrie kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 54 yards, 2:30; Mississippi State 10–0)

Second quarter

* (4:03) MSST – Creed Whittemore 16-yard pass from Will Rogers (Kyle Ferrie kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 53 yards, 3:03; Mississippi State 17–0)
* (0:52) WMU – Austin Hence 10-yard pass from Hayden Wolff (Palmer Dornschke kick) (Drive: 14 plays, 75 yards, 3:11; Mississippi State 17–7)

Third quarter

* (12:18) MSST – Mike Wright 3-yard run (Kyle Ferrie kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 61 yards, 2:41; Mississippi State 24–7)
* (8:57) WMU – Blake Bosma 23-yard pass from Hayden Wolff (Palmer Dornschke kick) (Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 3:21; Mississippi State 24–14)
* (6:44) MSST – Seth Davis 5-yard run (Nick Barr-Mira kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 51 yards, 2:12; Mississippi State 31–14)
* (3:23) WMU – Zahir Abdus-Salaam 11-yard run (Palmer Dornschke kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 3:21; Mississippi State 31–21)

Fourth quarter

* (12:31) MSST – Freddie Roberson 36-yard pass from Will Rogers (Nick Barr-Mira kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 59 yards, 1:44; Mississippi State 38–21)
* (10:48) WMU – Leroy Thomas 25-yard pass from Hayden Wolff (Palmer Dornschke kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 1:43; Mississippi State 38–28)
* (4:12) MSST – Nick Barr-Mira 49-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 26 yards, 2:07; Mississippi State 41–28)

Statistics | WMU | MSST

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First downs | 21 | 25
Total yards | 77–413 | 65–440
Rushing yards | 32–116 | 33–194
Passing yards | 297 | 246
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 33–45–1 | 23–32–0
Time of possession | 28:46 | 31:14
Team | Category | Player | Statistics

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Western Michigan | Passing | Hayden Wolff | 27/35, 262 yards, 3 TD, INT
Rushing | Zahir Abdus-Salaam | 18 carries, 60 yards, TD
Receiving | Kenneth Womack | 12 receptions, 113 yards
Mississippi State | Passing | Will Rogers | 16/22, 189 yards, 3 TD
Rushing | Seth Davis | 10 carries, 65 yards, TD
Receiving | Freddie Roberson | 5 receptions, 68 yards, TD

### at Arkansas

[edit]

See also: 2023 Arkansas Razorbacks football team

Game Seven – Mississippi State Bulldogs (3–3) at Arkansas Razorbacks (2–5) – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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Mississippi State | 0 | 7 | 0| 0| 7
Arkansas | 3 | 0 | 0| 0| 3

at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium • Fayetteville, Arkansas

* Date: Saturday, October 21, 2023
* Game time: 11:00 a.m. CST
* Game weather: –
* Game attendance: 71,505
* Referee: –
* TV announcers (ESPN): TBD

Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

Statistics | MSST | ARK

|
|

First downs | 10 | 12
Total yards | 205 | 200
Rushing yards | 120 | 103
Passing yards | 85 | 97
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 8–12–1 | 19–31–1
Time of possession | 28:35 | 31:25
Team | Category | Player | Statistics

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Mississippi State | Passing | Mike Wright | 8/12, 85 yards, TD, INT
Rushing | Mike Wright | 11 carries, 60 yards
Receiving | Justin Robinson | 2 receptions, 40 yards
Arkansas | Passing | KJ Jefferson | 19/31, 97 yards, INT
Rushing | Rashod Dubinion | 14 carries, 47 yards
Receiving | Andrew Armstrong | 4 receptions, 35 yards

### at Auburn

[edit]

See also: 2023 Auburn Tigers football team

Game Eight – Mississippi State Bulldogs (4–3) at Auburn Tigers (3–4) – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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Mississippi State | 3 | 0 | 3| 7| 13
Auburn | 14 | 10 | 3| 0| 27

at Jordan–Hare Stadium • Auburn, Alabama

* Date: Saturday, October 28, 2023
* Game time: 2:35 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 80 °F (27 °C) • Wind: SE 5 mph
* Game attendance: 88,043
* Referee: Daniel Gautreaux
* TV announcers (SEC Network): Dave Neal (play-by-play), Derek Mason (analyst), Taylor Davis (sideline reporter)

Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

Statistics | MSST | AUB

|
|

First downs | 19 | 21
Total yards | 345 | 416
Rushing yards | 184 | 186
Passing yards | 161 | 230
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 16–32–1 | 20–26–0
Time of possession | 30:44 | 29:16
Team | Category | Player | Statistics

|
|
|

Mississippi State | Passing | Mike Wright | 16/32, 161 yards, TD, INT
Rushing | Mike Wright | 14 carries, 63 yards
Receiving | Zavion Thomas | 9 receptions, 112 yards, TD
Auburn | Passing | Payton Thorne | 20/26, 230 yards, 3 TD
Rushing | Jarquez Hunter | 17 carries, 144 yards
Receiving | Rivaldo Fairweather | 4 receptions, 31 yards

### vs Kentucky

[edit]

See also: 2023 Kentucky Wildcats football team

Game Nine – Kentucky Wildcats (5–3) at Mississippi State Bulldogs (4–4) – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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Kentucky | 7 | 14 | 3| 0| 24
Mississippi State | 0 | 3 | 0| 0| 3

at Davis Wade Stadium • Starkville, MS

* Date: Saturday, November 4, 2023
* Game time: 7:30 PM EST
* Game weather: –
* Game attendance: 52,329
* Referee: Scott Walker
* TV announcers (SECN): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Cole Cubelic (color), Alyssa Lang (sideline)

Game information

First quarter

* (10:11) UK – Demie Sumo–Karngbaye 4-yard pass from Devin Leary (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 8 plays, 62 yards, 4:00; Kentucky 7-0)

Second quarter

* (8:51) MSST – Kyle Ferrie 25-yard field goal (Drive: 20 plays, 88 yards, 12:29; Kentucky 7-3)
* (6:35) UK – D'Eryk Jackson 28-yard interception return (Alex Raynor kick) (Kentucky 14-3)
* (0:52) UK – Dane Key 4-yard pass from Devin Leary (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 63 yards, 3:54; Kentucky 21-3)

Third quarter

* (5:51) UK – Alex Raynor 32-yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 72 yards, 5:49; Kentucky 24-3)

Fourth quarter

* – no scoring

Statistics | UK | MSST

|
|

First downs | 13 | 15
Total yards | 54–271 | 66–218
Rushing yards | 29–110 | 31–73
Passing yards | 161 | 145
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 15–25–0 | 17–35–1
Time of possession | 30:38 | 29:22
Team | Category | Player | Statistics

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|
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Kentucky | Passing | Devin Leary | 13/22, 156 yards, 2 TD
Rushing | Ray Davis | 21 carries, 80 yards
Receiving | Tayvion Robinson | 5 receptions, 91 yards
Mississippi State | Passing | Mike Wright | 11/21, 78 yards, INT
Rushing | Seth Davis | 4 carries, 24 yards
Receiving | Zavion Thomas | 6 receptions, 44 yards

### at Texas A&M

[edit]

See also: 2023 Texas A&M Aggies football team

Game Ten – Mississippi State Bulldogs (4–5) at Texas A&M Aggies (5–4) – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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Mississippi State | 7 | 3 | 0| 0| 10
Texas A&M | 17 | 17 | 14| 3| 51

at Kyle Field • College Station, Texas

* Date: Saturday, November 11, 2023
* Game time: 6:30 p.m. CST
* Game weather: Cloudy, 57 °F (14 °C)
* Game attendance: 103,266
* Referee: Kyle Olson
* TV announcers (ESPN2): Brian Custer, Rod Gilmore, and Lauren Sisler

Game information

First quarter

* MSST – Zavion Thomas 94-yard kickoff return (Kyle Ferrie kick), 14:48. Bulldogs 7–0.
* TAMU – Jaylen Henderson 22-yard run (Randy Bond kick), 11:47. Tied 7–7. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 2:57.
* TAMU – Amari Daniels 1-yard run (Randy Bond kick), 2:23. Aggies 14–7. Drive: 5 plays, 31 yards, 2:10.
* TAMU – Randy Bond 33-yard field goal, 0:00. Aggies 17–7. Drive: 4 plays, −1 yards, 1:55.

Second quarter

* TAMU – Randy Bond 52-yard field goal, 12:40. Aggies 20–7. Drive: 4 plays, 0 yards, 0:20.
* MSST – Kyle Ferrie 35-yard field goal, 6:55. Aggies 20–10. Drive: 10 plays, 57 yards, 5:45.
* TAMU – Ainias Smith 19-yard pass from Jaylen Henderson (Randy Bond kick), 4:58. Aggies 27–10. Drive: 6 plays, 72 yards, 1:55.
* TAMU – Jaylen Henderson 11-yard run (Randy Bond kick), 1:20. Aggies 34–10. Drive: 8 plays, 60 yards, 2:23.

Third quarter

* TAMU – Shemar Stewart 43-yard fumble return (Randy Bond kick), 11:10. Aggies 41–10.
* TAMU – Jahdae Walker 11-yard pass from Jaylen Henderson (Randy Bond kick), 2:00. Aggies 48–10. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 5:12.

Fourth quarter

* TAMU – Randy Bond 45-yard field goal, 8:44. Aggies 51–10. Drive: 8 plays, 42 yards, 3:12.

Statistics | MSST | TXAM

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|

First downs | 12 | 24
Total yards | 237 | 396
Rushing yards | 133 | 246
Passing yards | 104 | 150
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 10–21–3 | 11–21–0
Time of possession | 29:24 | 30:36
Team | Category | Player | Statistics

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|
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Mississippi State | Passing | Mike Wright | 5/9, 68 yards
Rushing | Seth Davis | 12 rushes, 79 yards
Receiving | Zavion Thomas | 4 receptions, 39 yards
Texas A&M | Passing | Jaylen Henderson | 11/19, 150 yards, 2 TD
Rushing | Jaylen Henderson | 12 rushes, 60 yards, 2 TD
Receiving | Ainias Smith | 4 receptions, 64 yards, TD

### vs Southern Miss

[edit]

See also: 2023 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team

Game Eleven – Southern Miss Golden Eagles (3–7) at Mississippi State Bulldogs (4–6) – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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Southern Miss | 7 | 0 | 0| 13| 20
Mississippi State | 3 | 13 | 7| 18| 41

at Davis Wade Stadium • Starkville, MS

* Date: Saturday, November 18, 2023
* Game time: 11:00 AM CST
* Game weather: –
* Game attendance: 53,855
* Referee: –
* TV announcers (SECN+/ESPN+): TBD

Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

Statistics | USM | MSST

|
|

First downs | 10 | 18
Total yards | 246 | 382
Rushing yards | 105 | 238
Passing yards | 141 | 144
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 11–21–1 | 12–27–0
Time of possession | 31:42 | 28:18
Team | Category | Player | Statistics

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|
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Southern Miss | Passing | Billy Wiles | 9/16, 89 yards, TD, INT
Rushing | Frank Gore Jr. | 22 carries, 66 yards
Receiving | Jakarius Caston | 2 receptions, 88 yards, TD
Mississippi State | Passing | Will Rogers | 12/27, 144 yards, 2 TD
Rushing | Jeffery Pittman | 10 carries, 98 yards, TD
Receiving | Zavion Thomas | 3 receptions, 66 yards

### vs No. 12 Ole Miss

[edit]

See also: 2023 Ole Miss Rebels football team

Game Twelve – Ole Miss Rebels (9–2) at Mississippi State Bulldogs (5–6) – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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No. 12 Rebels | 0 | 3 | 7| 7| 17
Bulldogs | 0 | 0 | 7| 0| 7

at Davis Wade Stadium • Starkville, MS

* Date: Thursday, November 23, 2023
* Game time: 6:30 p.m. CST
* Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 46 °F (8 °C)
* Game attendance: 60,412
* Referee: Steve Marlowe
* TV announcers (ESPN): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst), Cole Cubelic (sideline)

Game information

First quarter

* No scoring plays

Second quarter

* (8:23) Ole Miss – Caden Costa 36 Yd Field Goal
Ole Miss 3–0; 13 plays, 66 yards, 6:22

Third quarter

* (8:33) Mississippi State – Will Rogers 1 Yd Run (Kyle Ferrie Kick)
Mississippi State 7–3; 10 plays, 71 yards, 4:55
* (4:47) Ole Miss – Quinshon Judkins 2 Yd Run (Caden Davis Kick)
Ole Miss 10–7; 10 plays, 75 yards, 3:46

Fourth quarter

* (13:26) Ole Miss – Caden Prieskorn 26 Yd pass from Jaxson Dart (Caden Davis Kick)
Ole Miss 17–7; 10 plays, 71 yards, 4:26

Statistics | MISS | MSST

|
|

First downs | 22 | 16
Total yards | 307 | 303
Rushing yards | 211 | 96
Passing yards | 96 | 207
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 14–26–0 | 25–39–0
Time of possession | 31:57 | 28:03
Team | Category | Player | Statistics

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|
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Ole Miss | Passing | Jaxson Dart | 14/26, 96 yards, 1 TD
Rushing | Quinshon Judkins | 28 carries, 119 yards, 1 TD
Receiving | Caden Prieskorn | 4 receptions, 38 yards, 1 TD
Mississippi State | Passing | Will Rogers | 25/39, 207 yards
Rushing | Jo’Quavious Marks | 12 carries, 39 yards
Receiving | Zavion Thomas | 6 receptions, 88 yards

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Bain, Jacob (August 13, 2023). "Mississippi State Football: Players Adjusting To New Offensive Scheme". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
2. ^ Pete Thamel (December 14, 2022). "Mississippi State names Zach Arnett to replace Mike Leach". ESPN.
3. ^ "Mississippi State Announces Change In Football Leadership". Mississippi State. November 13, 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
4. ^ Sallee, Barrett (September 20, 2022). "2023 SEC football schedule by team..." CBSSports.com. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
5. ^ Krajisnik, Stefan (September 20, 2022). "Mississippi State football's 2023 schedule is complete: See the full list of opponents, dates". Mississippi Clarion Ledger. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
6. ^ "2023 Mississippi State Bulldogs Football Schedule". FB Schedules.com. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
7. ^ Froyd, Crissy (September 3, 2023). "Highlights: Mississippi State Trounces Southeastern Louisiana, 48-7 In Opening Game". SI.com. Retrieved November 23, 2024.

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