The Mississippi State Bulldogs showcased a commanding performance against the UMass Minutemen, culminating in a 45-20 victory. This win brings both teams to a 2-7 record for the season. The Bulldogs' offense was unstoppable, amassing a total of 463 yards, while their defense stifled the Minutemen's efforts throughout the game.

Nov 2, 2024; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Xavier Gayten (22) runs the ball against the Massachusetts Minutemen during the fourth quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-Imagn Images

Key Performances and Highlights

Mississippi State's quarterback, Michael Van Buren Jr., had an impressive outing with 222 passing yards and one touchdown, completing 56 percent of his attempts. His connection with wide receiver Jordan Mosley was particularly noteworthy; Mosley racked up 107 receiving yards on four catches. The ground game was equally dominant, with Xavier Gayten leading the charge with an explosive 72-yard touchdown run contributing to his total of 69 rushing yards.

On defense, Corey Ellington stood out with eight tackles and one assist, showcasing his ability to halt UMass's offensive drives. Ty Cooper added to the defensive effort with one sack and two tackles for loss among his seven combined tackles.

Nov 2, 2024; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Davon Booth (21) runs the ball against the Massachusetts Minutemen during the third quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-Imagn Images

Strategic Execution

The Bulldogs' strategy focused heavily on their rushing attack which paid off handsomely. They accumulated five rushing touchdowns and an average of eight yards per carry across thirty attempts. Johnnie Daniels also made significant contributions to this aspect of their game plan, adding another touchdown and racking up 92 rushing yards on six carries.

Special teams played a pivotal role as well; Kyle Ferrie successfully converted all six extra-point attempts in addition to nailing a field goal from twenty-four yards out.

Nov 2, 2024; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Massachusetts Minutemen running back Brandon Campbell (23) runs the ball against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-Imagn Images

Looking Ahead

The Mississippi State Bulldogs are set to face off against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville on November 9th at 1:00 PM EDT. Fans can catch all the action live on ESPN Networks as both teams vie for supremacy in what promises to be an exciting matchup.

Share this article if you're excited about Mississippi State's next game or if you're proud of how they played against UMass!

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