Blake Shapen threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Evans with 48 seconds left to lift Mississippi State over Arkansas, 38-35, and notch the Bulldogs’ first Southeastern Conference victory in more than two years.
Going into Saturday’s contest in Fayetteville, Mississippi State hadn’t won an SEC game since Oct. 7, 2023, when they beat the Razorbacks by a score of 7-3. This time around, the defense wasn’t on as much display as both offenses had big showings, and the Bulldogs bounced back from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter.
Here’s how the rest of the game played out.
Scoring summary
On Mississippi State’s opening drive, Shapen found running back Dvon Booth on an eight-yard touchdown pass. The 7-0 score in favor of Mississippi State held until the end of the first quarter.
Opening the second quarter, Arkansas tight end Rohan Jones caught a three-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Taylen Green. Two Razorback field goals – one from 30 yards out and the other from 42 yards – made for a 13-7 lead in favor of Arkansas at the half.
In the third quarter, Shapen went out of the game on an injury protocol. Freshman Kamario Taylor came in and tossed a touchdown to Evans to go up 14-13.
Arkansas immediately responded with Green scampering up the middle for an eight-yard touchdown. On their next possession, Mike Washington raced for a 20-yard score to give the Razorbacks a 28-14 lead with just over six minutes left in the third.
Taylor kept the Bulldogs in the game, finding a scramble score of his own and closing the gap to one possession at 28-21 at the end of the third.
Arkansas scored to begin the fourth quarter when running back Braylen Russell dived up the middle on a short run to make it 35-21. This would be the last scoring drive of the game for the Razorbacks as Mississippi State’s comeback was set to commence.
The Bulldogs got the ball and decided to put it back in the hands of Shapen. The senior signal-caller took the opportunity and led a nine-play scoring drive that ended with Booth scoring on a short stumbled into the end zone.
With Arkansas leading 35-28, Mississippi State forced a four-and-out and turned it into a Kyle Ferrie field goal from 46 yards out. Another four-and-out allowed the Bulldogs a chance to take their first lead since the fourth quarter – and that’s exactly what they did. On fourth down, Shapen found Evans on a crossing route where he broke a few tackles and ran down the sideline on a go-ahead touchdown with 48 seconds remaining.
The Bulldog defense once again held strong and ended the game by sacking Green.
What the coach said
While it was Mississippi State’s first SEC win since 2023, it was also Jeff Lebby’s first SEC win since taking over as head coach two offseasons ago.
Lebby acknowledged the adversity the program has faced, going winless in conference play in 2024 and then falling short in a trio of conference games earlier this season – including overtime losses to Tennessee and Texas and a squandered chance at a game-winning field goal against Florida. Lebby acknowledged the adversity the program has faced after going winless in 20
“One thing I mentioned last year is to play as hard as possible, maybe that ball will bounce the right way, and somehow, we’ll be able to win a football game. That was the reality of it,” Lebby reflected.
“It’s a completely different situation (this year). We’ve got a good enough team to win. We did not a year ago,” he continued. “For us to be able to adjust and go attack for victory, then when you have opportunities inside this conference to win games, you’ve got to go win those games.”
Numbers never lie
For Mississippi State, Shapen finished 16 of 28 passing for 242 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. Taylor, in relief, totaled 95 yards with a pair of scores, one on the ground and one through the air.
Receivers Brenen Thompson and Evans combined for 218 yards on 11 catches with Evans grabbing two touchdowns.
Isaac Smith led the way with 11 tackles from his safety position while Nic Mitchell had 10. The Bulldogs sacked the quarterback three times.
For Arkansas, Green finished 19 of 31 passing for 194 yards and a score. He added another score and 46 yards with his legs. Washington led the team’s rushing attack with 116 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown.
Defensive end Quincy Rhodes had six tackles, including 4.5 for loss, and a forced fumble.
Arkansas had a school record of 18 penalties.
Next up
Mississippi State will host No. 5 Georgia next Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT. The Razorbacks will have a bye.
