Despite scoring 23 points in the second half, Mississippi State couldn’t overcome an early deficit against Vanderbilt, falling to the Commodores 25-23 in its homecoming game Saturday in Starkville.
Mississippi State (4-5, 2-5 SEC) quarterback AJ Swann threw a 30-yard touchdown pass with 32 seconds remaining. However, the Bulldogs failed to convert on the ensuing two-point attempt that would have tied it up, allowing the Commodores (4-5, 1-5 SEC) to play spoiler and earn their first conference victory of the season.
Before Saturday’s loss, Mississippi State had won five consecutive games against Vanderbilt. The Commodores last win in the series came in October 2004, when they defeated the Bulldogs 31-13 in Nashville.
The loss marks Mississippi State’s fifth consecutive defeat after starting the season 4-0 and being ranked. The struggles mirror last season, when Mississippi State also began the year 4-0 but finished 5-8.
Here’s how the entire game played out.
Scoring summary
Mississippi State’s opening possession ended with a turnover on downs at the Vanderbilt 48-yard line. The Bulldogs’ defense responded by holding the Commodores on the first possession, highlighted by a third-down sack by defensive end Will Whitson.
The Mississippi State offense, without star quarterback Kamario Taylor who underwent season-ending surgery, struggled. The next four possessions ended in punts.
Vanderbilt took advantage, scoring 16 points before halftime. Kicker Brock Taylor opened the scoring with a 38-yard field goal late in the first quarter. The Commodores then put together an 18-play drive capped by a 2-yard touchdown from running back Sedrick Alexander.
After Swann threw an interception, Vanderbilt tacked on two more field goals to take a 16-0 lead into the break.
Mississippi State managed just 71 yards of total offense in the first half.
The Bulldogs came out of the break with a much-needed spark. Swann connected with Sanfrisco Magee for a 65-yard touchdown pass to get Mississippi State on the scoreboard.
Just 30 seconds later, the Bulldogs found the end zone again. Mississippi State sacked Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis, and defense back Kelley Jones forced a fumble on the play that Whitson recovered and returned 14 yards for a touchdown.
With 10:28 remaining in the third quarter, Mississippi State had cut the lead to 16-14.
The momentum fizzled out for the Bulldogs, though. Three ensuing offensive possessions ended in punts before Vanderbilt extended its lead with back-to-back field goals from Taylor, who connected from 54 and 34 yards.
Mississippi State finally found some offensive traction with an 11-play drive in the fourth quarter that ended in a 26-yard field goal by Kyle Ferrie. The kick cut Vanderbilt’s lead to 22-17 with under five minutes left.
The Commodores answered with an eight-play drive that ended with Taylor’s sixth field goal of the afternoon, a 55-yarder with 1:46 remaining, extending their lead to 25-17.
Mississippi State’s eleventh-hour effort saw Swann connect with Magee in the corner of the end zone for a 30-yard touchdown pass with 32 seconds left. The Bulldogs attempted a two-point conversion but a pass from Swann fell incomplete.
Mississippi State then failed to recover the onside kick, allowing the Commodores to secure the 25-23 win.
What the coach said
Following the loss, Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby expressed frustration with the offense’s inability to sustain drives, particularly amid challenges at the quarterback position without Kamario Taylor.
“Everything for us is incredibly hard and we can’t sustain right now, which is frustrating. The three-and-outs are without a doubt the biggest issue in the game,” Lebby said. “For us, those guys have got to be able to get in some rhythm early on.”
The loss adds to the pressure surrounding Lebby’s position as Mississippi State enters the final stretch of its 2026 SEC schedule with a 3-20 conference record in three years under his leadership.
While nothing is certain about Lebby’s future administration records indicate his buyout would be 75% of his annual salary at the end of the regular season. Lebby’s current salary is $4.5 million.
Quick stats
Swann finished 23-of-36 passing for 254 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Running back Fluff Bothwell led the team with 76 total yards – on the ground and through the air – though the Bulldogs only tallied a team total of 43 rushing yards.
Mississippi State’s defense is what the game within reach. The Bulldogs allowed 328 yards while recording two sacks, nine tackles for loss, and a forced fumble.
Whitson led the effort with five tackles, a sack, and 2.5 tackles for loss in addition to his scoop-and-score.
For Vanderbilt, Curtis completed 17 of 27 passes for 168 yards and rushed for 22 yards on 13 carries.
Taylor was perfect on the afternoon, kicking six field goals on six attempts form 38, 36, 22, 54, 34, and 55 yards. He also added an extra point on Alexander’s touchdown run.
Next up
Mississippi State: The Bulldogs will be back at home and host Auburn on Saturday, Nov. 14. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m.
Vanderbilt: The Commodores will return home and host No. 5 Alabama on Saturday, Nov. 14. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:45 a.m.