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Stevens leads Mississippi State over Abilene Christian 45-7
STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) Mississippi State got a rare late-season break from SEC play on Saturday and took advantage of the opportunity.
Tommy Stevens had two touchdown passes and ran for another as Mississippi State defeated Abilene Christian 45-7 on Saturday.
Stevens had 165 yards passing and 88 yards rushing in the Bulldogs' final nonconference outing of the season. Kylin Hill added 153 yards rushing and had 88 yards receiving and a touchdown for Mississippi State (5-6).
The Bulldogs rolled up 577 yards of offense and had 372 yards rushing.
''We did some good things in the run game and our defense held them to seven points,'' said Mississippi State coach Joe Moorhead. ''But at the end of the day I was pleased with the win and we're ready to move forward with Egg Bowl week. We needed to execute in all three phases and have a sense of urgency and we saw that at times.''
Hill averaged 9.6 yards per carry against Abilene Christian and his 88-yard touchdown reception was the longest of his career. For the season the junior tailback has now rushed for 1,325 yards, which leads the SEC.
''I've changed my running style and you have to change it up when they stack the box,'' said Hill. ''I can't make too many moves and I have to be decisive.''
Luke Anthony was 25-of-38 passing for 255 yards with one touchdown and one interception for Abilene Christian.
Mississippi State jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the opening 20 minutes thanks to a pair of Stevens' touchdowns passes. The Bulldogs got on the board first with a 4-yard scoring run by Nick Gibson. However, the Bulldogs' offense sputtered for most of the first quarter and Mississippi State punted on the first two offensive series.
Stevens had an 11-yard scoring toss to Deddrick Thomas and an 88-yard touchdown pass to Hill in the second quarter.
''I was seeing red because we were not executing at a high level,'' said Moorhead. ''There were some things on those first two drive where we need to play with more precision. We needed to block better and find the guy that was open and catch it. We started that in the second half with more tempo and it was more of a matter of execution than anything.''
In the second half, Mississippi State quarterback Garrett Shrader ran for a touchdown and threw for another. The freshman was 3-of-3 passing for 40 yards and added 65 yards rushing.
Abilene Christian's lone touchdown of the game came on a 4-yard touchdown pass from Anthony to Tracy James in the second quarter. The Wildcats finished with 282 yards of offense and had just 27 yards rushing on 28 attempts. Anthony also threw two interceptions and was sacked four times.
THE TAKEAWAY
Abilene Christian: The Wildcats finished up their third season under head coach Adam Dorrell. After a 2-9 season in Dorrell's debut season in 2017, Abilene Christian has won 11 games since the start of the 2018 season.
Mississippi State: It was the Bulldogs' final tune-up for the Egg Bowl and there's a lot riding on the Thanksgiving rivalry matchup. The Bulldogs need a win to gain bowl eligibility and to get a postseason invite for the 10th straight season.
QUICK TURNAROUND
Normally, Mondays are considered 'off days' for Mississippi State during game week. But that won't be the case leading up to Mississippi State's regular-season finale. The Bulldogs return to action in five days and host Ole Miss on Thursday.
STREAK CONTINUES OVER FCS FOES
Mississippi State improved its record against Southland Conference foes to 8-0 all-time in school history. The Bulldogs have won 18 straight games against FCS opponents. Mississippi State's last loss to an FCS school came in 2004 via a 9-7 setback to Maine.
NO MORE SUSPENSIONS
This season has been filled with suspensions for Mississippi State, largely stemming from academic violations that included 10 Mississippi State players. That group, which includes defensive starters Willie Gay, Lee Autry and Marcus Murphy, had to miss eight games this season and the final one came Saturday against Abilene Christian. All those players are expected to play next week against Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl.
UP NEXT
Abilene Christian: The Wildcats concluded their regular season Saturday at Mississippi State and finished with a 5-7 record. Abilene Christian posted a 4-5 record in the Southland Conference.
Mississippi State: The Bulldogs conclude the regular season Thursday and host Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl.
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Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
1st Downs | 18 | 26 |
Rushing | 6 | 18 |
Passing | 11 | 7 |
Penalty | 1 | 1 |
3rd Down Conv | 5-15 | 7-12 |
4th Down Conv | 3-4 | 0-1 |
Total Net Yards | 239 | 575 |
Total Plays | 70 | 70 |
Avg Gain | 3.4 | 8.2 |
Net Yards Rushing | 27 | 372 |
Rush Attempts | 28 | 40 |
Avg Rush Yards | 1.0 | 9.3 |
Yards Passing | 255 | 205 |
Comp. - Att. | 25-42 | 16-30 |
Yards Per Pass | 5.0 | 6.8 |
Penalties - Yards | 5-25 | 7-60 |
Touchdowns | 1 | 6 |
Rushing TDs | 0 | 3 |
Passing TDs | 1 | 3 |
Other | 0 | 0 |
Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 2-0 | 1-0 |
Int. Thrown | 2 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 6-34.7 | 3-33.7 |
Return Yards | 79 | 54 |
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 1--6 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 4-79 | 2-41 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 2-19 |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
|
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
L. Anthony
3 QB
|
L. Anthony | 25/38 | 255 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
S. Davis
4 QB
|
S. Davis | 0/3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. James
21 RB
|
T. James | 0/1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
S. Davis
4 QB
|
S. Davis | 9 | 31 | 0 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. White
24 RB
|
T. White | 5 | 28 | 0 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Clark
88 WR
|
K. Clark | 4 | 12 | 0 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. James
21 RB
|
T. James | 3 | 5 | 0 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. Anthony
3 QB
|
L. Anthony | 6 | -46 | 0 | 4 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
B. Hohenstein
18 TE
|
B. Hohenstein | 5 | 4 | 115 | 0 | 52 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Clark
88 WR
|
K. Clark | 17 | 11 | 56 | 0 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Fink
87 WR
|
J. Fink | 7 | 3 | 40 | 0 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. James
21 RB
|
T. James | 8 | 5 | 34 | 1 | 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Lee
6 WR
|
J. Lee | 2 | 2 | 10 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Miller
9 WR
|
J. Miller | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
J. Gibbens
47 LB
|
J. Gibbens | 8-4 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Richmond
2 S
|
B. Richmond | 7-3 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Chambers
23 LB
|
J. Chambers | 6-2 | 0.5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Davis
13 CB
|
A. Davis | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Lofton
41 CB
|
A. Lofton | 4-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Parker
27 LB
|
J. Parker | 4-3 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Onifade
7 S
|
B. Onifade | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Stapp
16 CB
|
R. Stapp | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. Ortega
12 S
|
G. Ortega | 2-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Burgess
79 DT
|
C. Burgess | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. Morgan
97 DT
|
W. Morgan | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
H. Kier
42 LB
|
H. Kier | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. Freeny
91 DE
|
G. Freeny | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. Green
38 LB
|
G. Green | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Hill
26 DE
|
K. Hill | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Kuyatsemi
98 DE
|
T. Kuyatsemi | 1-1 | 0.5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Previlon
94 DE
|
R. Previlon | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Ihegworo
50 DT
|
B. Ihegworo | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
O. Obadyei
99 DE
|
O. Obadyei | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Robinson Jr.
5 S
|
B. Robinson Jr. | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
B. Zepeda
37 K
|
B. Zepeda | 0/0 | 0 | 1/1 | 1 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
S. Laryea
29 P
|
S. Laryea | 6 | 34.7 | 2 | 46 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
R. Stapp
16 CB
|
R. Stapp | 3 | 23.3 | 30 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Lee
6 WR
|
J. Lee | 1 | 9.0 | 9 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
L. Anthony
3 QB
|
L. Anthony | 1 | 15.0 | 15 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
T. Stevens
7 QB
|
T. Stevens | 13/27 | 165 | 2 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
G. Shrader
6 QB
|
G. Shrader | 3/3 | 40 | 1 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
K. Hill
8 RB
|
K. Hill | 16 | 153 | 0 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Stevens
7 QB
|
T. Stevens | 7 | 88 | 1 | 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. Shrader
6 QB
|
G. Shrader | 8 | 65 | 1 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Gibson
21 RB
|
N. Gibson | 8 | 53 | 1 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. Witherspoon
22 RB
|
L. Witherspoon | 1 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
K. Hill
8 RB
|
K. Hill | 4 | 3 | 84 | 1 | 88 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Payton
4 WR
|
J. Payton | 2 | 1 | 34 | 0 | 34 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
F. Green
82 TE
|
F. Green | 8 | 3 | 30 | 0 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Thomas
2 WR
|
D. Thomas | 5 | 3 | 28 | 1 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Jones
84 TE
|
D. Jones | 2 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
S. Guidry
1 WR
|
S. Guidry | 4 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Williams
85 WR
|
A. Williams | 2 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
O. Mitchell
5 WR
|
O. Mitchell | 2 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Gardner
18 WR
|
C. Gardner |