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    • Mississippi State football’s loss to Texas is something to build on
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    Mississippi State football’s loss to Texas is something to build on

    Madoc Meredith Posted on

    AUSTIN, Texas – Mississippi State football’s losing streak is now four games.

    The Bulldogs (1-4, 0-2 SEC) lost to No. 2 Texas (5-0, 1-0) 35-13 on Saturday at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

    MSU was nearly a 40-point underdog, playing its first game since starting quarterback Blake Shapen’s season-ending shoulder injury. Still, the Bulldogs trailed by just eight points late in the third quarter until Texas quarterback Arch Manning made it 26 yards to the MSU 1-yard line. He scored on a 1-yard dive three plays later.

    Here are three overreactions after the loss.

    Mississippi State’s defense is capable of competing in the SEC

    If you want to put together one of your best performances of the season, you’ll want to make the most of it against Texas.

    Mississippi State’s defense played well enough to keep the Bulldogs in the game. This is the first time since Week 1 that you can say that.

    Manning certainly had some fun subbing in for injured starter Quinn Ewers. He had two passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown with a handful of highlight reel plays. Otherwise, Mississippi State gave Texas fits, particularly in the running game.

    The defense held Texas to three straight scoreless drives in the first half – one of which ended due to a fumble recovery by Zakari Tillman. The MSU defense hadn’t made three consecutive stops in a game since Week 2. The Longhorns had minus-1 rushing yards in four drives. They had 10 at halftime.

    Mississippi State rallied again on the first play of the third quarter. The problem was that it was never capitalized; MSU started in Texas territory twice and only managed three points.

    Michael Van Buren Jr. and Chris Parson can ensure a successful running game

    The passing attack certainly needs some work, but perhaps that was to be expected with two young players at quarterback. Mississippi State ran the ball well early and often against Texas. Quarterbacks Michael Van Buren Jr. and Chris Parson were both involved.

    The first five plays were handoffs to running back Davon Booth. On Van Buren’s first dropback, he rolled to his right, looked downfield, and took a 7-yard gain. Parson played a few snaps later in the drive and had runs of 10 and six yards.

    There were many reading opportunities. Running back Johnnie Daniels also received a ton of carries and led the team with 75 rushing yards. It’s the second game in a row that MSU has run the ball well.

    Van Buren scored a 12-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter.

    Run the ball well, the clock runs and the defense gets longer rest.

    MORE: Mississippi State women’s basketball freshman Tahj-Monet Bloom suffers a season-ending injury

    Mississippi State finally has something to build on

    Coaches rarely admit moral victories, but this felt like one for Mississippi State.

    After MSU’s last three losses, everything pointed to a downward trend. This was the Bulldogs’ most inspiring performance since Week 1 against Eastern Kentucky.

    Does this mean MSU should expect a win in its next game at Georgia? No. It could mean things are getting better.

    Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X @sklarsam_.

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    Madoc Meredith
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