Mississippi State’s losing streak reached six games Saturday as the Bulldogs fell 41-9 to Auburn at home.
The Bulldogs (4-6, 2-6 SEC) struggled with ball security, fumbling five times and losing four. They also allowed seven sacks, converted just three of 17 third-down attempts and went scoreless on four red-zone trips.
Mississippi State 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.
Scoring summary
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-yard line.
Linebacker Fatt Forrest intercepted Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown on the next possession, but AJ Swann fumbled after being sacked on Mississippi State’s following drive. Auburn recovered at the Bulldogs’ 38-yard line, and Brown connected with Keshaun Singleton for a 26-yard touchdown three plays later.
After Mississippi State missed a 33-yard field goal, Auburn added a 37-yard kick from Alex McPherson to take a 10-0 lead.
Swann connected with Sanfrisco Magee for a 34-yard touchdown on the opening play of the second quarter, cutting Auburn’s lead to 10-7.
Mississippi State turned to backup quarterback Parker “Billy” Puckett, who fumbled on a sack but recovered the ball himself. The Bulldogs eventually punted, and Auburn missed a 48-yard field goal on its ensuing possession.
Swann returned at quarterback but lost a fumble on a sack, giving Auburn possession at the Mississippi State 1-yard line. Brown scored on the next play to extend the lead to 17-7.
Puckett returned but lost a fumble on another sack, setting up Auburn at the Bulldogs’ 21-yard line. Jeremiah Cobb scored on a 10-yard run four plays later.
Running back Kolin Wilson lost another fumble near midfield late in the half. Auburn recovered and added a 31-yard field goal as time expired, taking a 27-7 lead into halftime.
The Tigers added two more touchdowns in the third quarter. Brown connected with Chas Nimrod for a 35-yard score before finding Singleton for a 42-yard touchdown to make it 41-7.
Mississippi State’s only other points came on a fourth-quarter safety when defensive lineman Will Whitson tackled Auburn running back Omar Mabson in the end zone.
Quick stats
Swann led Mississippi State with 138 passing yards and a touchdown on 6-of-13 passing. Puckett completed 10 of 14 passes for 68 yards, while freshman Brodie McWhorter was 1-of-1 for 10 yards.
Running backs Fluff Bothwell and JJ Hill combined for 70 yards on 25 carries. Wide receivers Anthony Evans III and Sam West combined for eight receptions and 133 yards, while Magee accounted for the Bulldogs’ only touchdown.
Senior linebacker Zakari Tillman led Mississippi State with 10 tackles. Forrest added seven tackles, an interception and a tackle for loss. Four Bulldogs combined for three sacks.
Brown finished with 232 passing yards and three touchdowns on 19-of-26 passing. He also rushed for 39 yards and a touchdown. Singleton caught seven passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns, while Auburn defensive lineman Darrion Smith recorded four tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
Next up
Mississippi State hosts Tennessee Tech in its final home game of the season Saturday, Nov. 21. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.
Auburn returns home to host Samford at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21.