Mississippi State Explodes in Second Half to Defeat Southern Miss 34–17

In its season opener at M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, Mississippi State delivered a statement performance, storming back from a slow start to defeat Southern Miss 34–17. After a taut first half, the Bulldogs broke the game open with an electrifying third quarter that showcased both offensive firepower and defensive shutdowns.

First Half: Tight and Tense

Mississippi State entered halftime with a narrow 13–10 lead, amid a battle of back-and-forth field goals and offensive resistance. Despite the Bulldogs showing promise, a couple of touchdowns were nullified due to penalties, forcing them to settle for field goals before heading into the locker room with a slim advantage.

Third Quarter: Bulldogs Unleashed

The second half belonged entirely to the Bulldogs. Mississippi State erupted for 21 unanswered points in the third quarter, completely shifting the dynamics of the game. The offense, led by powerful runs, quickly took control:

• Fluff Bothwell punched in two rushing touchdowns—a 6-yard effort followed by a short 1-yard plunge.
• Davon Booth added another 3-yard touchdown to cap the Bulldogs’ surge.

The offensive line’s dominance turned the tide, and the Bulldogs’ third-quarter output gave them a commanding 34–10 lead.

Quarterback Command: Blake Shapen Steps Up

Quarterback Blake Shapen orchestrated a sharp and disciplined performance, finishing with 270 passing yards and a touchdown. He completed 26 of his 34 attempts and managed his drives effectively, showing poise after returning from injury.

Defensive Lockdown and Total Dominance

State’s defense came alive in the third quarter, stifling Southern Miss with suffocating pressure. The Bulldogs outgained the Golden Eagles 199 to 25 yards in that quarter alone, allowing just 4.1 yards per play overall.

Final Touches

Southern Miss managed a consolation touchdown late in the game with TJ Johnson finding the end zone on a 7-yard pass. However, the response came too little, too late, as Mississippi State closed out a 34–17 win

What It Means Going Forward

Mississippi State begins the season at 1–0, riding confidence into its upcoming showdown against Arizona State. The explosive performance signals growth and the strength of coach Jeff Lebby’s system.

Southern Miss, under first-year coach Charles Huff, showed flashes but struggled to match up in the second half. With a refreshed roster and league adjustments ahead, lessons from this loss could fuel improvements down the road.