Mississippi State rolls past EKU in Jeff Lebby's debut as coach

Field Level Media|published: Sat 31st August, 21:42 2024

NCAA Football: Eastern Kentucky at Mississippi State

Aug 31, 2024; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Blake Shapen (2) jumps into the endzone against Eastern Kentucky Colonels linebacker Maddox Marcellus (11) during the first quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Baylor transfer Blake Shapen passed for 247 yards and Mississippi State rolled over Eastern Kentucky 56-7 on Saturday evening in Starkville, Miss., to give Jeff Lebby a victory in his first game as a head coach.

Shapen completed 15 of 20 passes and threw touchdown tosses to Louisville transfer Kevin Coleman Jr., Jordan Mosley, and Mario Craver before leaving early in the fourth quarter. Shapen also ran for another score as the Bulldogs took control of their season opener early, building a 35-7 halftime lead.

Coleman amassed 117 yards on just five punt returns and 88 yards on five receptions, including a spectacular leaping one-handed grab. Mosley had 104 yards also on five catches. Craver also scored by recovering JD Davis' blocked punt in the end zone.

Creed Whittemore and Utah State transfer Davon Booth rushed for touchdowns for the Bulldogs, and Elijah Cannon completed the scoring with a 51-yard interception return with 4:07 left in the game.

The Colonels managed only 295 yards of total offense compared to the Bulldogs' 450 yards. Western Illinois transfer Matt Morrissey went 22-of-38 passing for 169 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

The Bulldogs had the game well in hand from the first four minutes. They scored on their third play, when Shapen threw a 65-yard pass to Mosley, then needed only four plays to score on their second series after taking over at EKU's 26-yard line. Shapen capped the quick march with a 4-yard rush and it was 14-0 at the 11:07 mark of the first quarter.

With rain arriving late in the first quarter, the Bulldog came up empty on two drives before scoring on three consecutive possessions, starting with Whittemore's 41-yard scamper at the 11:01 mark and followed by Shapen's touchdown passes to Coleman (23 yards) and Craver (54)

The Colonels put together an impressive 14-play, 75-yard drive after Craver's score with Morrissey hitting Ron Vann Jr. in the end zone from 9 yards out in the closing seconds of the half.

--Field Level Media

Latest