Mississippi State Bulldogs opened up their NDL Season 30 home opener against the South Florida Bulls. After a couple of long Bulldog drives the Bulls would keep the Bulldogs out of the end zone. The first half was a defensive slugfest as State kicked two field goals to go up 6-0.
The Bulls took advantage of the Bulldog's aerial attack and took a pick-six 51 yards for a 7-6 lead. The Bulls would put together another drive and make it 14-6. The Bulldogs threw 4 interceptions on the day and are searching for an offensive identity. Until that can be established it will be a long season for these Bulldogs as they try and compete in the meat grinder SEC.
Week 2 Recap: Mississippi State vs. USF Bulls – Defensive Showdown Ends in Dramatic Fashion
Mississippi State played host to the USF Bulls in what turned out to be a defensive battle between two seasoned coaches, each with a meticulous game plan. The first quarter was a stalemate, with neither team giving an inch, resulting in a hard-fought scoreless draw at the end of 15 minutes.
The second quarter, however, saw Mississippi State begin to unlock USF’s defense. Bulldogs quarterback Blake Shapen found his rhythm, relying heavily on receivers Davon Booth and Seydou Traore. With crisp passes and well-executed routes, Shapen engineered two sustained drives that allowed freshman kicker Kyle Ferrie to showcase his skills. Ferrie nailed two long field goals, putting Mississippi State up 6-0 at the half, a lead that seemed slim but hard-earned.
The second half was a completely different story. USF's defense came out with renewed intensity, tightening coverage on Booth and Traore. The Bulls' secondary began to shine, with senior cornerback Aamaris Brown leading the charge. Brown not only shut down key passing lanes but also made a game-changing play by intercepting Shapen and returning it 55 yards for a touchdown, swinging momentum in USF’s favor.
Mississippi State’s offense struggled to recover, as USF’s defense forced four interceptions in the second half alone, stifling any potential comeback. On the offensive side, USF didn’t light up the stat sheet, but a single play proved crucial: speedy wide receiver Jeyquan Smith managed to haul in his lone catch of the day, but it was a pivotal one – a 67-yard touchdown that put the Bulls ahead for good.
With just enough points on the board, USF sealed the 17-6 victory, improving to 1-1 on the season. Mississippi State, despite a strong start, couldn’t overcome the second-half turnovers. USF heads back to Tampa Bay with momentum as they prepare for a Week 3 matchup against the UMass Minutemen, led by coach CNasty.
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