Live Updates: Mississippi State Faces Memphis in First Road Matchup of the Season
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.
— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021
Tigers lead the Bulldogs, 7-0 with 12:02 to play in the first quarter.
That pass intended for Polk looked like it was going to be MSU's first touchdown of the day.
— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021
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.
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.
— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021
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.
QBs through the first quarter...
— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021
Will Rogers, MSU: 11-of-15, 83 yards
Seth Henigan, Memphis: 4-of-4, 39 yards
Big pass breakup for MSU CB Martin Emerson Jr. on that fourth-down attempt.
— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021
The Bulldogs avoid a scare from the Memphis offense with the turnover on downs.
What a catch for Makai Polk.
— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021
That 41-yard reception moves Mississippi State to the Memphis 32.
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.
— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021
MSU 10, Memphis 7 with 9:58 to go in the second quarter.
Memphis punts it away after going three-and-out on that drive.
— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021
You could say there's been a momentum shift.
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.
— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021
MSU has extended its lead to 17-7 with just over five minutes to go until halftime.
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.
— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021
The Bulldogs total 236 yards of offense. Memphis totals just 89 yards.
QBs through the first two quarters...
— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021
Will Rogers, MSU: 27-of-34, 220 yds, TD
Seth Henigan, Memphis: 7-of-13, 49 yds
Memphis goes for it on 4th & 1 and it's intercepted by Emmanuel Forbes.
— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021
MSU takes over at the Memphis 34.
And it's incomplete. Batted down by Johnson. https://t.co/xXxf2OuC5i
— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021
PICK @emmanuelforbes7‼️
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) September 18, 2021
📺: https://t.co/ClI90Q20ux#HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/XUz3jPcezs
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.
— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021
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.
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.
— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021
MSU: 286 yards
Memphis: 211 yards https://t.co/sb6fToiCiU
Through the third quarter...
— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021
Will Rogers, MSU: 36-of-48, 264 yds, TD
Seth Henigan, Memphis: 15-of-26, 134 yds, TD, INT
Will Rogers overthrows what could have been a 80+ yard touchdown, but instead the Bulldogs punt and the Tigers will start in MSU territory.
— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021
MSU needs a big stop here after allowing Memphis to stay in this thing way longer than it should have.
Tigers take the lead with that 25-yatd touchdown reception by Austin.
— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021
Memphis leads MSU, 21-17 with 7:48 to play.
Touchback.
— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021
Mississippi State starts an important drive at its own 25.
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.
— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 18, 2021
Memphis leads MSU, 28-17 with 5:36 left in the game.
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