Mississippi State’s losing streak reached six games Saturday when the Bulldogs fell 41-9 to Auburn at home, SuperTalk Mississippi reported.
The report said Mississippi State (4-6, 2-6 SEC) fumbled five times, losing four, allowed seven sacks, converted three of 17 third downs, went scoreless on four red-zone trips and finished with 262 yards of total offense while using three quarterbacks. Auburn (6-4, 4-4) totaled 371 yards and scored 24 points off the Bulldogs’ four lost fumbles, the report said.
SuperTalk Mississippi’s scoring summary noted Mississippi State’s defense forced an early Auburn punt after Jaray Bledsoe recorded a sack. The Bulldogs moved into Auburn territory on their opening possession but turned the ball over on downs at the Tigers’ 31.
Linebacker Fatt Forrest intercepted Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown on the next Auburn possession, but AJ Swann fumbled after being sacked on Mississippi State’s following drive. Auburn recovered at the Bulldogs’ 38, and Brown connected with Keshaun Singleton for a 26-yard touchdown three plays later.
After Mississippi State missed a 33-yard field goal, Auburn’s Alex McPherson added a 37-yard kick to make it 10-0. Swann connected with Sanfrisco Magee for a 34-yard touchdown on the opening play of the second quarter to cut the deficit to 10-7.
The report says backup Parker “Billy” Puckett fumbled on a sack but recovered on one series; Mississippi State punted and Auburn missed a 48-yard field goal on its next possession. Swann returned but lost a fumble on a sack at the Mississippi State 1, and Brown scored on the next play to extend the lead to 17-7.
Puckett returned and lost another fumble on a sack, setting Auburn up at the Bulldogs’ 21. Jeremiah Cobb scored on a 10-yard run four plays later. Running back Kolin Wilson lost a fumble near midfield late in the half; Auburn recovered and kicked a 31-yard field goal as time expired to lead 27-7 at halftime.
In the third quarter Brown connected with Chas Nimrod for a 35-yard touchdown and later found Singleton for a 42-yard score to make it 41-7. Mississippi State’s only other points came in the fourth quarter on a safety when defensive lineman Will Whitson tackled Auburn running back Omar Mabson in the end zone, the report said.
Quick stats from SuperTalk Mississippi: AJ Swann led Mississippi State with 138 passing yards and a touchdown on 6-of-13 passing. Puckett was 10-of-14 for 68 yards; freshman Brodie McWhorter was 1-of-1 for 10 yards. Running backs Fluff Bothwell and JJ Hill combined for 70 yards on 25 carries. Anthony Evans III and Sam West combined for eight receptions and 133 yards; Magee had the Bulldogs’ lone touchdown.
Defensively, senior Zakari Tillman had 10 tackles; Forrest added seven tackles, an interception and a tackle for loss. Four Bulldogs combined for three sacks. For Auburn, Byrum Brown finished 19-of-26 for 232 yards and three touchdowns, rushed for 39 yards and a score. Keshaun Singleton caught seven passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns. Auburn defensive lineman Darrion Smith recorded four tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery, the report said.
Mississippi State hosts Tennessee Tech in its final home game of the season Saturday, Nov. 21, with kickoff scheduled for noon. Auburn returns home to host Samford at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, the report said.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
