2024-10-13 08:55:03
ATHENS, Ga. — Mississippi State football held its first lead of the season against an FBS opponent, but it quickly went downhill from there before the Bulldogs rallied vs No. 4 Georgia on Saturday.
After a Carson Beck interception, MSU kicked a 47-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead in the first quarter. From there, Georgia (5-1, 3-1 SEC) scored on five consecutive drives before Mississippi State(1-4, 0-3) found its offense in the second half in a 41-31 loss on at Sanford Stadium.
It’s Mississippi State’s fifth consecutive loss after beating Eastern Kentucky in the season opener. MSU returns to Starkville for a three-game homestand beginning next week against Texas A&M.
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Michael Van Buren Jr. hit Kelly Akharaiyi for a 35-yard touchdown.
Georgia crushed any hope of a Mississippi State comeback with a long drive capped with a Trevor Etienne short rushing touchdown.
On fourth down, Michael Van Buren Jr. threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Davon Booth with 2:40 to play in the third quarter.
Johnnie Daniels turned the corner for a 19-yard rushing touchdown with 8:27 to play in the third quarter.
Georgia scored 1 minute, 12 seconds into the second half on an Arian Smith 42-yard touchdown catch.
Carson Beck hit Lawson Luckie for a 1-yard touchdown with 1:56 remaining in the second quarter.
Dillon Bell made a spectacular leaping catch in the back of the end zone for another Georgia touchdown with 6:32 remaining in the second quarter.
After Michael Van Buren Jr. hit Mario Craver for a 72-yard pass, he connected with Kelly Akharaiyi for a 24-yard touchdown with 8:46 to play in the second quarter.
Georgia scored on its third consecutive drive, this time a 32-yard field goal with 10:51 to play in the second quarter.
Branson Robinson scored a 5-yard rushing touchdown with 2:13 remaining in the first quarter. MSU has yet to pick up a first down.
Georgia answered MSU’s points with a 45-field goal of its own.
Brice Pollock intercepted Georgia quarterback Carson Beck, then Kyle Ferrie hit a 47-yard field goal with 12:05 to play in the first quarter.
Mississippi State versus Georgia will be broadcast on SEC Network. Taylor Zarzour will be on the call with analyst Matt Stinchcomb and sideline reporter Alyssa Lang. Streaming is available on ESPN+.
Georgia 40, Mississippi State 10: MSU’s ultimate goal, of course, is to win. Its realistic goal should be to keep the game close and competitive, like it did against Texas. MSU just doesn’t have the firepower to take down Georgia.
Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of Saturday:
Mississippi State got healthier over the open week with starting defenders Isaac Smith and Kedrick Bingley-Jones taken off the injury report. Click here for the full injury report.
MORE:Is Mississippi State football’s offense evolving? Analyzing the latest from Jeff Lebby
According to AccuWeather, it will be 80 degrees at kickoff with 6 mph winds and a 0% chance of rain.
Aug. 31: vs. Eastern Kentucky (56-7, W)
Sept. 7: at Arizona State (30-23, L)
Sept. 14: vs. Toledo (41-17, L)
Sept. 21: vs. Florida (45-28, L)
Sept. 28: at Texas (35-13, L)
Oct. 12: at Georgia
Oct. 19: vs. Texas A&M
Oct. 26: vs. Arkansas
Nov. 2: vs. UMass
Nov. 9: at Tennessee
Nov. 23: vs. Missouri
Nov. 29: at Ole Miss
Buy Mississippi State football tickets this season with StubHub
Aug. 31: vs. Clemson (34-3, W)
Sept. 7: vs. Tennessee Tech (48-3, W)
Sept. 14: at Kentucky (13-12, W)
Sept. 28: at Alabama (41-34, L)
Oct. 5: vs. Auburn (31-13, W)
Oct. 12: vs. Mississippi State
Oct. 19: at Texas
Nov. 2: vs. Florida
Nov. 9: at Ole Miss
Nov. 16: vs. Tennessee
Nov. 23: vs. UMass
Nov. 29: vs. Georgia Tech
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
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