Mississippi State Football: Defensive Struggles Continue
STARKVILLE — It’s hard to ignore the elephant in the room when it comes to Mississippi State football: their defense is really hurting. The recent matchup against the No. 14 Texas A&M Aggies ended with the Bulldogs suffering another painful loss, this time with a score of 34-24. This defeat marks the sixth consecutive game where the Bulldogs have allowed more than 30 points. With a staggering average of 33.3 points allowed per game, they find themselves ranked among the very worst in the power conferences.
Coach’s Perspective
Coach Jeff Lebby kept a positive spin on things despite the disappointing performance. “The toughness, the belief, the effort and the attitude that’s going on on that side of the ball, I’m proud of,” he said after the game. However, he didn’t shy away from the harsh reality: “We’ve got to play better. I’ve got to coach better. That’s something that we will continue to do.”
Alarming Defensive Stats
Let’s break down some of the stats that reflect just how tough the season has been for the Bulldogs’ defense:
- Crickets on the Sack Front: First and foremost, the Bulldogs couldn’t manage to record a single sack during the game against Texas A&M. That’s now the fourth game this season where they’ve come up empty in the sack department. With only five sacks all season—tying them with Oregon State and Air Force for the fewest in the country—it’s hard to deny that they need to ramp up their pass rush. What’s more alarming is that these five sacks have only led to a mere 16 yards lost for opponents, the lowest in the nation.
- Third Down Woes: The Bulldogs allowed Texas A&M to convert on 9-of-14 third downs, showcasing a glaring weakness in their defense. Their opponents have been converting third downs at a cringe-worthy rate of 49.5%, which puts them in the bottom tier nationwide. Defensive lineman Sulaiman Kpaka acknowledged that their struggles on third down can often trace back to the pass rush that just isn’t there. “As a defensive line, our job is to get back (to the quarterback),” he shared, emphasizing the need for improvement.
- High Completion Percentage Against: The new defensive coordinator, Coleman Hutzler, certainly has his work cut out for him. Under his guidance, the Bulldogs have allowed a staggering 72.5% completion percentage, ranking them as the worst in the nation. Despite Texas A&M’s quarterback Conner Weigman completing only 60% of his attempts during their recent clash, the issues with coverage remain critical. Many teams are finding success with simple screen and swing passes, exposing the flaws in Mississippi State’s defensive setup.
Shining Moments Amidst the Struggles
Despite all the issues surrounding the defense, there are glimpses of hope. The Bulldogs have managed to force multiple turnovers in three consecutive games, which has helped them hang tough against highly-ranked teams like Texas and Georgia. Additionally, they’ve shown some grit by holding both Georgia and Texas A&M to under 150 rushing yards, which is no small feat. Nonetheless, they currently average 192.3 rushing yards allowed per game, putting them squarely near the bottom of power conference teams.
Looking Ahead
Coach Lebby expressed pride in how his team defended the run against Texas A&M, stating, “These guys had been running the ball incredibly well. To me, that’s what gave us a chance.” It’s evident that while the Bulldogs have their fair share of challenges, there’s room for growth and improvement.
As the season marches on, the Bulldogs must rally together, focusing on fortifying their defense. With each game, they aim to polish their skills and better their performance. Whether it’s improving the pass rush or tightening up coverage, there’s hope that Mississippi State can turn this season around.
