Mississippi State scores early, often in rout of Alcorn State

Mississippi State is 3-0 for the first time since 2018 after beating Alcorn State 63-0 on Saturday at Starkville, Miss., behind Blake Shapen, who completed 10 of 14 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns.

The Braves (0-3) committed three turnovers that led to three touchdowns for the Bulldogs.

With Mississippi State ahead 42-0 at halftime, coaches from both teams agreed to play 10-minute quarters in the second half instead of 15-minute quarters.

The Bulldogs, who finished with 514 total yards while limiting the Braves to 155, scored on their first four possessions in the first quarter with Shapen passing for a touchdown and running for another.

Shapen, who completed a 58-yard touchdown pass to Brenen Thompson in the last minute last week to upset then No. 12 Arizona State, connected on a 75-yard scoring strike to Jordan Mosley on the second play from scrimmage against Alcorn State.

Fluff Bothwell, who rushed for 93 yards on 12 attempts, all in the first half, scored on a 3-yard run to culminate the second possession of the game.

The Bulldogs executed a trick play for the third touchdown, a pass from freshman quarterback Kamari Taylor, who was lined up at the slot position and took a pitch from Shapen before throwing 42 yards to Thompson for the score.

Shapen put Mississippi State ahead 28-0 with 5:12 left in the first quarter on a 6-yard run.

After Shapen threw an interception to end the Bulldogs' next possession, Alcorn State's Tylon Citizen fumbled the ball on the next play. Jayven Williams caused the fumble, and Nic Mitchell recovered it at the Alcorn State 29.

Five plays later, Shapen completed a 22-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Evans III to increase the lead to 35-0 with 7:20 left in the second quarter.

Bothwell's second rushing touchdown, a 25-yard score, gave Mississippi State a 42-0 lead with 3:50 left in the half.

Shapen was replaced by Taylor after Mississippi State increased its lead to 49-0 on a 25-yard run by Xavier Gayton with 5:53 left in the third quarter.

Braves quarterback Jaylon Tolbert was 11-for-18 for 80 passing yards and one interception.

--Field Level Media