They say football is a game of inches. It was for Mississippi State on Saturday night at Davis Wade Stadium, as Arizona quarterback Jayden De Laura’s last-ditch effort was ruled short of a first down after review, allowing the Bulldogs to escape with a 31-24 overtime win over the Wildcats.
𝘿𝙖𝙬𝙜𝙨 𝙒𝙞𝙣 𝘼𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣!#HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/XlVbqOtIK2
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) September 10, 2023
It was a game that saw five Arizona turnovers that Mississippi State couldn’t take full advantage of, an offensive gameplan that limited Will Rogers to 17 pass attempts, and Woody Marks going over the 100-yard mark for the second consecutive week. In all that, Arizona came back from a 14-point deficit twice to tie the game on a 36-yard field goal with five seconds remaining.
TYLER LOOP EXTENDS THE GAME 😤
36 YARDS AND WE ARE HEADING TO OT!
📺: SEC Network pic.twitter.com/Bze9f2fNAw
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) September 10, 2023
In the extra time, Mississippi State overcame a holding penalty to put the ball in the end zone on a 29-yard touchdown catch by Jeff Pittman.
Rogers finished the night 13-17 for 162 yards and three scores. On the ensuing possession, State forced the Wildcats into a 4th and 10, when De Laura took off trying to keep the play alive, at one point finding himself 20 yards behind the line of scrimmage. He broke free from there, diving to the marker, and originally being called first down. A long review followed, and it was ruled his elbow had come down short of the line to gain, handing the victory to the home team.
Dawgs take the lead!#HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/F8qUvVcjbN
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) September 10, 2023
ARIZONA FALLS JUST SHORT AFTER REVIEW IN OT AND THE BULLDOGS ESCAPE https://t.co/dNxTkYDt9n
— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) September 10, 2023
Mississippi State picked off De Laura four times in the game, with two coming from linebacker Jett Johnson. His fellow linebacker Bookie Watson added one, and safety Shawn Preston grabbed the other on top of forcing a fumble that was recovered by Hunter Washington.
Jett with the PICK! (AGAIN!!)#HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/LzpoDTB6ED
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) September 10, 2023
Mississippi State improves to 2-0 on the year. They’ll be back in action next Saturday, starting SEC play against LSU. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m.
