Live Updates: Mississippi State Faces Memphis in First Road Matchup of the Season

Mississippi State aims to improve to 3-0 as it faces an undefeated Memphis on Saturday.

The Bulldogs are hitting the road.

Mississippi State plays its first road game of the 2021 season on Saturday as the Bulldogs take on the Memphis Tigers. Both teams are currently 2-0, though one will obviously sacrifice its undefeated record by the end of the weekend.

MSU is listed as a slight favorite (-3.5), coming off a 24-10 victory over a highly respectable NC State team that looks to be one of the best in its conference this year. The Bulldogs looked improved and more consistent on all three sides of the ball, snagging the momentum early and holding onto it for the whole night.

They'll look to continue that as they face a Memphis team that rushed for nearly 300 yards in its last performance, led by freshman quarterback Seth Henigan, who has looked far more experienced than his years would suggest to this point.

You can find the latest updates on the score, big plays and stats right here throughout gameday. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. CT in Liberty Bowl Stadium.

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- Memphis wins the toss, elects to defer

Wow. Mississippi State RB Jo'quavious Marks fumbles on 3rd&1 at the MSU 49, recovered by the Memphis defense and returned for a touchdown.

Tigers lead the Bulldogs, 7-0 with 12:02 to play in the first quarter.

— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021

That pass intended for Polk looked like it was going to be MSU's first touchdown of the day.

Instead, it's broken up and the Bulldogs settle for a 29-yard Nolan McCord field goal. He made it but he'll have to try again after that holding penalty.

— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021

McCord's 39-yard attempt is good. MSU trails Memphis, 7-3 with 3:20 remaining in the first quarter. https://t.co/0t9tui9KfN

— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021

- MSU's second drive of the day was 17 plays for 54 yards and took 8:39 off the clock

That'll do it for the first quarter.

Memphis has looked solid on both sides of the ball today, already with one fumble returned for a touchdown and threatening to add to the scoreboard with the offense at State's 25.

Memphis leads MSU, 7-3.

— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021

QBs through the first quarter...

Will Rogers, MSU: 11-of-15, 83 yards

Seth Henigan, Memphis: 4-of-4, 39 yards

— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021

Big pass breakup for MSU CB Martin Emerson Jr. on that fourth-down attempt.

The Bulldogs avoid a scare from the Memphis offense with the turnover on downs.

— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021

What a catch for Makai Polk.

That 41-yard reception moves Mississippi State to the Memphis 32.

— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021

Johnson takes it in for the rushing touchdown after that 9-yard reception from Rogers to Polk, and Mississippi State is on top for the first time today.

MSU 10, Memphis 7 with 9:58 to go in the second quarter.

— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021

Memphis punts it away after going three-and-out on that drive.

You could say there's been a momentum shift.

— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021

Memphis DB Sylvonta Oliver has been ejected for targeting.

— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021

Mississippi State finds the end-zone with a 6-yard touchdown pass from Rogers to Walley.

MSU has extended its lead to 17-7 with just over five minutes to go until halftime.

— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021

Henigan nearly picked by Crumedy there. Could have been a huge play for the MSU defense.

— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021

MSU leads Memphis, 17-7 at the half.

The Bulldogs total 236 yards of offense. Memphis totals just 89 yards.

— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021

QBs through the first two quarters...

Will Rogers, MSU: 27-of-34, 220 yds, TD

Seth Henigan, Memphis: 7-of-13, 49 yds

— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021

Memphis goes for it on 4th & 1 and it's intercepted by Emmanuel Forbes.

MSU takes over at the Memphis 34.

— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021

And it's incomplete. Batted down by Johnson. https://t.co/xXxf2OuC5i

— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021

PICK @emmanuelforbes7‼️

📺: https://t.co/ClI90Q20ux#HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/XUz3jPcezs

— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) September 18, 2021

And with the illegal substitution on MSU, it's an automatic first down for Memphis. https://t.co/U3mOzogHDN

— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021

Touchdown Memphis.

Henigan connects with Austin for the 21-yard score. The Tigers seem to be back in this one, now trailing 17-14 with 6:20 to play in the third quarter.

— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021

That drive for Memphis went for 98 yards. The Tigers had just 89 yards of total offense at the half.

— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021

Announced attendance for today's matchup between Mississippi State and Memphis: 43,461

— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021

The total offense comparison has evened out quite a bit since halftime.

MSU: 286 yards
Memphis: 211 yards https://t.co/sb6fToiCiU

— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021

Through the third quarter...

Will Rogers, MSU: 36-of-48, 264 yds, TD

Seth Henigan, Memphis: 15-of-26, 134 yds, TD, INT

— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021

Will Rogers overthrows what could have been a 80+ yard touchdown, but instead the Bulldogs punt and the Tigers will start in MSU territory.

MSU needs a big stop here after allowing Memphis to stay in this thing way longer than it should have.

— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021

Tigers take the lead with that 25-yatd touchdown reception by Austin.

Memphis leads MSU, 21-17 with 7:48 to play.

— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021

Touchback.

Mississippi State starts an important drive at its own 25.

— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021

A promising MSU drive ends at the 47 and it's followed by a punt returned for 94 yards by Calvin Austin for a touchdown.

Memphis leads MSU, 28-17 with 5:36 left in the game.

— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021

Rogers finds Heath in the end zone for the touchdown, and it looks like they'll stay on to try for two.

— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021

And Rogers is sacked. https://t.co/O1xtOnNpV8

— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021

Memphis field goal is good, 31-23 with just over two minutes to go.

— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021

Mississippi State takes it down the field for a touchdown. Now the Bulldogs will try for two.

— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021

Rogers comes up just short. https://t.co/eCnGaJWiDt

— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021

Final: 31-29, Memphis