It’s a non-conference matchup between a pair of Power Five schools on the gridiron in the Valley of the Sun when the SEC takes on the Pac-12. The Mississippi State Bulldogs are on the road as they make the trip to face the Arizona Wildcats Saturday night. Mississippi State overcame the weather and Memphis as they rolled to a 49-23 victory last Saturday. Arizona earned an upset win as they knocked off San Diego State 38-20 on the road last Saturday. This marks the first time that the two programs have met on the gridiron as FBS opponents.
Mississippi State battled through a weather delay and Memphis to pick up the victory in the season opener at home. The Bulldogs now go on the road and look to earn another win to improve to 2-0 on the season. Against Memphis, Mississippi State jumped in front 14-0 after the opening quarter and led 28-3 at the half. The Bulldogs never let the Tigers get closer than 19 points in the second half en route to the victory. Mississippi State rolled up a 547-294 advantage in total offense, piled up a 34-13 edge in first downs and dominated time of possession by a 41:11 to 18:49 margin in the contest. That helped overcome the fact that they turned the ball over twice while forcing only one takeaway.
Will Rogers sliced and diced his way through the Memphis defense through the air as he completed 38 of 49 passes for 450 yards with five touchdowns and one interception in the game. Dillon Johnson led the way on the ground for the Bulldogs as he ran the ball 14 times for 67 yards in the contest. Jo’quavious Marks contributed 12 carries for 36 yards plus two scores while Simeon Price (four carries, 10 yards) had a few opportunities to run the ball as well. Johnson led the team with six receptions for 39 yards in the contest. Rara Thomas (81 yards, TD), Rufus Harvey (61 yards, TD) and Lideatrack Griffin (60 yards) each had five receptions in the game. Jaden Walley (three catches, 30 yards) and Justin Robinson (reception, 23 yards) each caught touchdown passes in the game as well. Twelve different players caught at least one pass in the game for Mississippi State. Massimo Biscardi hit all seven extra point attempts without attempting a field goal in the contest.