STARKVILLE —
In his first SEC test of the 2012 season, Mississippi State quarterback Tyler Russell passed with flying colors, going 20-of-29 with 222 yards and three touchdowns on the day while leading the Bulldogs to a 28-10 win against Auburn.
“(Russell) did a real good job of mixing it up,” MSU head coach Dan Mullen said. “He did a good job of getting the ball out of his hands real quick at times with a couple of screens off balanced. When he held the ball he did a great job of buying some time in the pocket.”
The former Meridian High School product, Russell systematically picked apart an Auburn secondary while controlling the offense and limiting Bulldog mistakes.
The 6-foot-4 junior got the Bulldogs started early; completing his first four passes while leading MSU down the field on its opening drive.
The Bulldogs would drive down to the Auburn 19, however, a missed field goal from 36 yards out would leave MSU with nothing to show for the drive.
Both offenses would flounder early on, as Auburn and MSU combined for only 112 total yards combined in the first quarter.
Auburn was dealt the game’s first major break, when MSU wide receiver Chris Smith fumbled the ball with 44 seconds left in the first quarter to give the Tigers the ball at the MSU 39-yard line. Auburn, however, would have to settle for a 23-yard field goal to go up 3-0.
On the ensuing drive, it was Russell’s time to shine. The calm and collected quarterback marched down the field, going 4-5 for a 58 yards en route to finding a wide open Marcus Green for a 30-yard touchdown to put MSU up 7-3.
“Overall as an offensive unit we responded when things weren’t going good,” Russell said. “We went down and we scored, and it gave the defense a lot of confidence.”
The game would remain 7-3 heading into the half. However, it did not take long for Auburn to get back on top in the second half, as Onterio McCalebb returned the opening kick of the third quarter 100 yards for a touchdown to put Auburn up 10-7.
Once again, it didn’t take long for Russell and the Bulldogs to respond. Russell set the tone on the first play of the drive, finding Arceto Clark for 20 yards, as he remain calm under pressure leading the Bulldogs down field.
Seven plays later MSU found itself with a first and 10 at the Auburn 13-yard line. The next play, Russell rolled to his right and delivered a perfectly placed pass under pressure to wide receiver Chad Bumphis in the back of the end zone to put the Bulldogs back on top 14-10. Russell was 8-11 with 118 yards and two touchdowns in the two drives following Auburn scores.
“It was huge,” Mullen said. “Obviously they jump out and take huge momentum. It’s not just Tyler, it was the whole offense, they went down the whole field and responded without a hiccup. That’s what you want to see out of those guys and especially out of your quarterback to have that poise.”
From there the Bulldogs wouldn’t look back. Russell would find Green one more time in the third quarter before running back LaDarius Perkins busted the hole for 21-yard touch down in the fourth to give the Bulldogs their final score.
The win marks the first time in the Dan Mullen era that MSU has defeated an SEC West opponent other than Ole Miss. However, more important for the Bulldogs might be the emergence of a new offensive leader, one that can provide plenty of more wins against divisional opponents.
“Tyler (Russell) is a true leader,” MSU right guard Tobias Smith said. “When he says something in the huddle, you definitely listen. We used to call him shaky legs, but he has become an SEC caliber quarterback.”
Sports
Russell-Mania
Former Meridian star shines as State downs Auburn
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Titles nothing new for Newton County
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Embry completes 5A title sweep
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Morgan takes runner-up at Nationals
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Newton County beats Houston 10-0 to claim 7th fast-pitch championshi
Players from Newton County’s dugout barely made it to the foul line before a celebratory dogpile ensued here Saturday. Indeed, winning never gets old.
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