5 Things You Didn’t Know: Alabama vs. Mississippi State
By David Wasson
5 Things No. 5: Bulldogs This and That
Under Dan Mullen (since 2009), State is 53-4 when leading at the half and 54-2 when leading at the end of the third quarter. State has produced 40 plays of 20 or more yards from scrimmage this year – 17 rushes and 23 passes. MSU leads the SEC in 70+ yard plays with four, including three in the last two games.
QB Nick Fitzgerald is tied for the SEC lead in 10+ yard plays from scrimmage with 32, while WR Fred Ross is fifth with 27. Ross’ mark leads all SEC wideouts. MSU owns a +3 turnover margin on the year having gained 17 turnovers (seven fumbles, 10 interceptions) and lost 14 (nine interceptions, five fumbles). The Bulldogs are 2-1 when winning the turnover battle this season (def. South Carolina, UMass; lost at Kentucky). MSU has lost the turnover battle only once this season (-1 vs. Auburn).
Three of MSU’s five losses have been decided on the final play of the game – a missed field goal in the season-opener against South Alabama, a turnover on downs in double overtime at BYU and a made 51-yard field goal as time expired at Kentucky. Four of the Bulldogs’ five losses have been decided by one possession, seven points or less, including three losses by three points or less.
PREGAME NOTES: Alabama notes vs. Mississippi State
PREGAME NOTES: Mississippi State notes vs. Alabama
MSU has produced three defensive touchdowns this season, including one in two out of the last three games: a 35-yard INT return by DeAndre Ward vs. Samford (10/29), an 81-yard fumble recovery by Mark McLaurin at Kentucky (10/22) and a 38-yard interception return by Jamoral Graham at UMass (9/25).