STARKVILLE – (AP) It wasn’t surprising that South Alabama lost its first game against a Southeastern Conference opponent.
But the Jaguars have plenty of positives to take from their 30-10 loss to No. 23 Mississippi State on Saturday night.
“I am really proud of this football team,” South Alabama coach Joey Jones said. “There are a lot of things we can work on for sure. I saw a lot of heart on that football field tonight. I told the team in the locker room that I can handle (the final score).”
South Alabama (1-3) lost its first game against a ranked opponent. C.J. Bennett completed 14 of 26 passes for 154 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Demetre Baker added 49 yards rushing.
The Jaguars battled Mississippi State to a scoreless tie in the first quarter, but the Bulldogs pushed ahead 20-0 by halftime.
With South Alabama was relatively pleased with its performance, it was exactly the kind of lackluster effort Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen hoped to avoid.
The Bulldogs walked out of Davis Wade Stadium with the victory, but it was underwhelming in many ways, and Mullen appeared more steamed than satisfied with the win.
“It was everything we didn’t want to do in a game like this,” Mullen said.
But he couldn’t argue with the results. Mississippi State (4-0) has won its first four games for the first time since 1999 and has the week off as it prepares to face Kentucky on Oct. 5.
Tyler Russell completed 13 of 27 passes for 171 yards for the Bulldogs while LaDarius Perkins rushed for a team-high 69 yards – including a 44-yard touchdown run.
Nickoe Whitley and Johnthan Banks both had long interception returns that stopped South Alabama drives.
It was the 15th career interception for Banks – which ranks second among active players in the Football Bowl Subdivision – and third this season.
The Bulldogs gave up 104 total yards in the first half.
“We’re pleased with the win,” Mississippi State linebacker Cameron Lawrence said. “But we definitely haven’t played our best game.”
The Jaguars are a transitional BCS team that is in just their fourth season as a program. But they managed to hang close for the majority of the first half before the Bulldogs slowly pulled away.
Russell tied a Mississippi State record for consecutive pass attempts without an interception (137) during the second quarter, but then threw an interception on his next throw. It wasn’t a great game for the 6-foot-4, 220-pound junior, who looked tentative in the pocket.
“Tyler was making bad reads, offensive line … it was just sloppy,” Mullen said.
While Mississippi State’s offense didn’t look sharp, the defense did, holding
South Alabama without a touchdown until late in the fourth quarter.
It was a reassuring sign for the Bulldogs, whose veteran defense allowed 572 yards in last week’s 30-24 victory over Troy.
“Last week was pitiful,” Banks said. “We definitely played with a chip on our shoulder tonight.”
The game started with an ugly first quarter that ended scoreless. The Bulldogs dropped a few passes, were called for a few penalties and generally looked uninterested against an opponent that was a heavy underdog.
“Every game won’t be perfect,” Mississippi State receiver Chris Smith said. “It’s a learning process.”
South Alabama couldn’t take advantage. The Jaguars had a chance to take the lead early in the second quarter, but Michel Chapuseaux missed a 47-yard field goal and Mississippi State suddenly shook out of its extended malaise.
“We fought well,” South Alabama receiver Jereme Jones said. “It’s disappointing that we didn’t come out with the W, but we are still learning and we should have things straight by next week.”
The Bulldogs needed just three plays to move 70 yards – capped by Perkins’ 44-yard touchdown run – to take a 7-0 lead with 12:18 left in the second quarter.
Dak Prescott added a 2-yard touchdown run and Devon Bell made two field goals, both from 42 yards, as the Bulldogs built their 20-0 halftime lead.
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