Behind a program-record 762 yards of offense and five touchdowns from quarterback Kamario Taylor, Mississippi State demolished Louisiana-Monroe 62-13 to open the season on Saturday night.
Taylor accounted for 413 total yards of offense, completing 22 of 34 passes for 354 yards and four touchdowns while adding 59 rushing yards and a score.
Defensively, Mississippi State allowed 278 yards and held the Warhawks to 3-for-16 on third-down conversions.
The Bulldogs’ starters did most of their damage in the first half, taking a 41-3 lead into the locker room before cruising through the second half with reserves getting some playing time.
Here’s how the entire game played out in Starkville.
Scoring summary
Mississippi State piled up 459 yards in the first half and scored on each of its first eight possessions.
Capping a 10-play opening drive, Taylor found wide receiver Sanfrisco Magee for a 6-yard touchdown with 12:21 left in the first quarter. The drive lasted 2:39 and gave the Bulldogs an early 7-0 lead.
Following a turnover on downs by Louisiana-Monroe, Taylor connected with Zion Ragins for a 22-yard touchdown pass with 10:20 remaining in the quarter. The Bulldogs led 14-0.
After another three-and-out by the Warhawks, Taylor called his own number, racing 26 yards for a touchdown to give Mississippi State a 21-0 lead by the end of the first quarter.
Mississippi State continued its offensive surge to begin the second quarter. Taylor tossed a 10-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Evans III on a seven-play drive, extending the lead to 28-3 with 13:15 left in the half.
Following another seven-play drive, Mississippi State placekicker Kyle Ferrie connected on a 26-yard field goal with 8:32 remaining to make it 31-3.
Ferrie added another field goal, this one from 32 yards, on the Bulldogs’ next possession to push the lead to 34-3 with 3:59 left in the first half.
Mississippi State then capped the half with a 14-yard touchdown run by Xavier Gayten, sending the Bulldogs into halftime with a 41-3 advantage.
The Bulldogs’ offense was less productive in the second half, but Taylor made one final big play before leaving the game. On the second play of Mississippi State’s first offensive series of the half, Taylor connected with wide receiver Marquis Johnson for a 70-yard touchdown with 13:36 left in the third quarter.
The score extended Mississippi State’s lead to 48-3 and effectively put the game out of reach.
Louisiana-Monroe responded with a 40-yard touchdown following a missed tackle and added a lengthy field goal later in the third quarter. Still, the Bulldogs allowed just 171 yards in the second half and held the Warhawks to one third-down conversion.
Mississippi State added two fourth-quarter touchdowns from freshman running back J.J. Hill, who led the Bulldogs with 118 rushing yards.
Numbers never lie
— Taylor was the centerpiece of Mississippi State’s offense, completing 22 of 34 passes for 354 yards and four touchdowns. He added 59 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground.
— Behind Hill, three other Mississippi State running backs — Xavier Gayten, Fluff Bothwell and Kolin Wilson — combined for 135 rushing yards and a touchdown.
— Evans led the Bulldogs’ receiving corps with seven catches for 118 yards and a touchdown. Three other Mississippi State receivers also caught touchdown passes, combining for 169 yards on 10 receptions.
— Although Mississippi State did not force a turnover, the Bulldogs consistently pressured Louisiana-Monroe. They finished with two sacks and six tackles for loss.
— Defensive linemen Wil Whitson, Jaray Bledsoe and James Smith combined for 17 tackles and three tackles for loss.
— Ferrie was perfect on extra points and connected on field goals of 32 and 26 yards.
Next up
Mississippi State (1-0) heads north next Saturday, Sept. 12, to face Minnesota (1-0) at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT.