2018 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team

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2018 Mississippi State Bulldogs football
Outback Bowl, L 22–27 vs. Iowa
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
DivisionWestern Division
Ranking
CoachesNo. 25
Record0–5, 8 wins vacated (0–4 SEC, 4 wins vacated)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorLuke Getsy (1st season)
Offensive schemeSpread
Defensive coordinatorBob Shoop (1st season)
Base defense4–3
Home stadiumDavis Wade Stadium
Seasons
← 2017
2019 →
2018 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
East Division
No. 7т Georgia x   7 – 1     11 – 3  
No. 12 Kentucky   5 – 3     10 – 3  
No. 7т Florida   5 – 3     10 – 3  
South Carolina   4 – 4     7 – 6  
Missouri   4 – 4     8 – 5  
Vanderbilt   3 – 5     6 – 7  
Tennessee   2 – 6     5 – 7  
West Division
No. 2 Alabama x$^   8 – 0     14 – 1  
No. 16 Texas A&M   5 – 3     9 – 4  
No. 6 LSU   5 – 3     10 – 3  
Mississippi State*   4 – 4     8 – 5  
Auburn   3 – 5     8 – 5  
Ole Miss   1 – 7     5 – 7  
Arkansas   0 – 8     2 – 10  
Championship: Alabama 35, Georgia 28
  • ^ – College Football Playoff participant
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • * Mississippi State vacated four conference and eight total wins due to NCAA violations.[1]
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2018 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team represented Mississippi State University in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bulldogs played their home games at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi and competed in the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They were led by first-year head coach Joe Moorhead. Mississippi State subsequently vacated all eight victories due to NCAA sanctions due to academic misconduct involving 10 players and a tutor in online coursework.[2][3]

Preseason

[edit]

Award watch lists

[edit]

Listed in the order that they were released

Award Player Position Year
Lott Trophy[4] Jeffery Simmons DT JR
Rimington Trophy[5] Elgton Jenkins C SR
Chuck Bednarik Award[6] Montez Sweat DE SR
Jeffery Simmons DT JR
Maxwell Award[7] Nick Fitzgerald QB SR
Davey O'Brien Award[8] Nick Fitzgerald QB SR
Doak Walker Award[9] Aeris Williams RB SR
Bronko Nagurski Trophy[10] Jeffery Simmons DT JR
Montez Sweat DE SR
Outland Trophy[11] Jeffery Simmons DT JR
Lou Groza Award[12] Jace Christmann K SO
Paul Hornung Award[13] Deddrick Thomas WR/KR JR
Wuerffel Trophy[14] Gerri Green LB SR
Ted Hendricks Award[15] Montez Sweat DE SR
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award[16] Nick Fitzgerald QB SR
Manning Award[17] Nick Fitzgerald QB SR

SEC media poll

[edit]

The SEC media poll was released on July 20, 2018 with the Bulldogs predicted to finish in third place in the West Division.[18]

Media poll (West)
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1 Alabama 1,971 (263)
2 Auburn 1,664 (19)
3 Mississippi State 1,239 (2)
4 Texas A&M 1,091
5 LSU 1,025
6 Ole Miss 578
7 Arkansas 412

Preseason All-SEC teams

[edit]

The Bulldogs had five players selected to the preseason all-SEC teams.

Schedule

[edit]

All eight victories were subsequently vacated as part of NCAA sanctions due to academic misconduct involving a tutor and online coursework.[2][3]

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 16:30 p.m.Stephen F. Austin*No. 18
ESPNUW 63–6 (vacated)54,289
September 811:00 a.m.at Kansas State*No. 18
ESPNW 31–10 (vacated)49,784
September 156:30 p.m.Louisiana*No. 16
  • Davis Wade Stadium
  • Starkville, MS
ESPN2W 56–10 (vacated)56,505
September 226:00 p.m.at KentuckyNo. 14
ESPN2L 7–2860,037
September 295:00 p.m.FloridaNo. 23
ESPNL 6–1361,406
October 66:30 p.m.No. 8 Auburn
  • Davis Wade Stadium
  • Starkville, MS
ESPN2W 23–9 (vacated)60,635
October 206:00 p.m.at No. 5 LSUNo. 22
ESPNL 3–19101,340
October 276:00 p.m.No. 16 Texas A&M
  • Davis Wade Stadium
  • Starkville, MS
ESPNW 28–13 (vacated)57,085
November 36:30 p.m.Louisiana Tech*daggerNo. 18
  • Davis Wade Stadium
  • Starkville, MS
SECNW 45–3 (vacated)58,709
November 102:30 p.m.at No. 1 AlabamaNo. 16
CBSL 0–24101,821
November 1711:00 a.m.ArkansasNo. 21
  • Davis Wade Stadium
  • Starkville, MS
ESPNW 52–6 (vacated)57,772
November 226:30 p.m.at Ole MissNo. 18
ESPNW 35–3 (vacated)56,561
January 111:00 a.m.vs. Iowa*No. 18
ESPN2L 22–2740,518
Schedule Source:[19]

Rankings

[edit]
Further information: 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
AP1818161423RV2422RV211825222018RV
Coaches1818161419RVRVRVRV21152320191825
CFPNot released181621181818Not released

Game summaries

[edit]

Stephen F. Austin

[edit]
1 2 3 4 Total
Lumberjacks 0 3 3 0 6
No. 18 Bulldogs 21 14 14 14 63
See also: 2018 Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks football team

At Kansas State

[edit]
1 2 3 4 Total
No. 18 Bulldogs 3 14 7 7 31
Wildcats 3 0 7 0 10
See also: 2018 Kansas State Wildcats football team

Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald made his first appearance on the football fields since November 2017, when a foot injury sidelined him for the season and a 1-game suspension kept him out of the season opener. Fitzgerald threw for 154 yards with two touchdowns and ran for another 159 yards. Mississippi State compiled a total of 538 yards of total offense where Kansas State only managed 213.

Kansas State continued with its two-quarterback system, switching snaps between Skylar Thompson and Alex Delton. Kansas State running back Alex Barnes managed 75 yards rushing, but the Wildcats fell short to lose the game 31-10.[20]

Louisiana

[edit]
Louisiana at Mississippi State
1 234Total
Ragin' Cajuns 3 007 10
• No. 16 Bulldogs 14 21147 56
  • Date: September 15, 2018
  • Location: Davis Wade Stadium
    Starkville, MS
  • Game start: 6:40 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 2 hours and 57 minutes
  • Game attendance: 56,505
  • Game weather: 86 °F (30 °C) • Weather: Clear Skies • Wind: 6 N MPH
  • Referee: Ken Williamson
  • Television network: ESPN2
      
Scoring summary
111:48LAKyle Pfau 38-yard field goal
(9 plays, 54 yards, 3:12)		LA 3–0
05:06MSSTNick Fitzgerald 1-yard rush (Jace Christmann kick)
(13 plays, 74 yards, 6:36)		MSST 7–3
00:10MSSTNick Fitzgerald 10-yard rush (Jace Christmann kick)
(6 plays, 62 yards, 2:14)		MSST 14–3
209:35MSSTAeris Williams 3-yard rush (Jace Christmann kick)
(7 plays, 67 yards, 4:00)		MSST 21–3
04:54MSSTNick Fitzgerald 2-yard rush (Jace Christmann kick)
(5 plays, 48 yards, 2:16)		MSST 28–3
00:18MSSTStephen Guidry 39-yard pass from Nick Fitzgerald (Jace Christmann kick)
(5 plays, 64 yards, 1:11)		MSST 35–3
313:16MSSTNick Fitzgerald 26-yard rush (Jace Christmann kick)
(4 plays, 65 yards, 1:39)		MSST 42–3
06:01MSSTKeith Mixon 25-yard pass from Nick Fitzgerald (Jace Christmann kick)
(9 plays, 85 yards, 3:52)		MSST 49–3
407:31LAJa'Marcus Bradley 4-yard pass from Andre Nunez (Kyle Pfau kick)
(10 plays, 47 yards, 5:11)		MSST 49–10
04:22MSSTKeytaon Thompson 16-yard rush (Jace Christmann kick)
(7 plays, 75 yards, 3:09)		MSST 56–10
See also: 2018 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team
Pregame line Over/under
Mississippi State −34.5
Statistics Louisiana Mississippi State
First downs 13 29
Total yards 310 607
Rushing yards 65 331
Passing yards 245 276
Turnovers 1 1
Time of possession 27:01 32:59
Team Category Player Statistics
Louisiana Passing Andre Nunez 21–29, 224 yards
Rushing Trey Ragas 7 carries, 49 yards
Receiving Keenan Barnes 4 receptions, 76 yards
Mississippi State Passing Nick Fitzgerald 14–21, 243 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing Nick Fitzgerald 15 carries, 107 yards, 4 TDs
Receiving Keith Mixon 4 receptions, 80 yards, 1 TD

At Kentucky

[edit]
See also: 2018 Kentucky Wildcats football team
No. 14 Mississippi State at Kentucky
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 14 Bulldogs 0 7 007
Wildcats 0 7 71428

at Kroger Field, Lexington, Kentucky

Florida

[edit]
See also: 2018 Florida Gators football team
Florida Gators at Mississippi State Bulldogs – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Florida 0 3 7313
No. 23 Mississippi State 3 3 006

at Davis Wade Stadium • Starkville, Mississippi

  • Date: September 29, 2018
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 79 °F (26 °C) • Wind: N at 1 mile per hour (1.6 km/h) • Weather: Partly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 61,406
  • Referee: Matt Austin
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Pasch, Greg McElroy, Tom Luginbill[21]
  • Boxscore
Game information

Auburn

[edit]
See also: 2018 Auburn Tigers football team
No. 8 Auburn Tigers at Mississippi State Bulldogs – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 8 Auburn 3 0 339
Mississippi State 3 10 3723

at Davis Wade Stadium • Starkville, Mississippi

  • Date: October 6, 2018
  • Game time: 6:35 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 81° • Wind: SE 3 mph • Weather: Clear skies
  • Game attendance: 60,635
  • Referee: James Carter
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Mark Jones (play-by-play), Dusty Dvoracek (analyst), Molly McGrath (sideline reporter)
Game information

At LSU

[edit]
See also: 2018 LSU Tigers football team and LSU–Mississippi State football rivalry
Mississippi State at LSU – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 22 Bulldogs 3 0 003
No. 5 Tigers 7 3 6319

at Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA

  • Date: October 20
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 77 °F (25 °C); cloudy w/ light rain
  • Game attendance: 101,340
  • Referee: John McDaid
  • TV: ESPN
  • [1]
Game information

Texas A&M

[edit]
See also: 2018 Texas A&M Aggies football team
Week Nine: Texas A&M Aggies at Mississippi State – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 16 Aggies 0 10 3013
Bulldogs 7 0 71428

at Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, MS

  • Date: October 27
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game attendance: 57,085
  • TV: ESPN
Game information

Louisiana Tech

[edit]
See also: 2018 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team
Louisiana Tech at Mississippi State – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
LT Bulldogs 3 0 003
No. 21 MSU Bulldogs 21 10 7745

at Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, MS

  • Date: November 3
  • Game time: 6:30 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C); clear
  • Game attendance: 58,709
  • TV: SEC Network
  • [2]
Game information

At Alabama

[edit]
See also: 2018 Alabama Crimson Tide football team and Alabama–Mississippi State football rivalry
1 234Total
No. 18 Mississippi State 0 000 0
• No. 1 Alabama 14 703 24
  • Date: November 10
  • Location: Tuscaloosa, AL
  • Game start: 2:50 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 101,821
  • Game weather: 50, Clear, Sunny, Wind N @ 9 mph
  • Referee: Ken Williamson
  • TV announcers (CBS): Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (color), Jamie Erdahl (sideline)
  • Sources:
Scoring summary
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4

Statistics

Statistics Mississippi State Alabama
First downs 6 23
Total yards 169 305
Rushes–yards 30–44 45–142
Passing yards 125 163
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 11–20–0 17–27–1
Time of possession 26:05 33:55
Team Category Player Statistics
Mississippi State Passing Nick Fitzgerald 11–20, 125 yards
Rushing Kylin Hill 7 carries, 47 yards
Receiving Deddrick Thomas 2 receptions, 25 yards
Alabama Passing Tua Tagovailoa 14–21, 164 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Josh Jacobs 20 carries, 97 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Jerry Jeudy 6 receptions, 45 yards

Arkansas

[edit]
See also: 2018 Arkansas Razorbacks football team
Game Eleven – Arkansas Razorbacks (2–8) at Mississippi State Bulldogs (6–4)
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Razorbacks 0 3 306
No. 25 Bulldogs 3 14 211452

at Davis Wade Stadium • Starkville, Mississippi

  • Date: Saturday, November 17, 2018
  • Game time: 11:00 a.m. CST
  • Game weather: Clear • Temperature: 59 °F (15 °C) • Wind: SSE 2 mph
  • Game attendance: 57,772
  • Referee: Matt Loeffler (SEC)
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Adam Amin (play-by-play), Rod Gilmore (color), Quint Kessenich (sideline)
  • Pregame line: Mississippi State –23 • Odds to win: Mississippi State 93.2%
Game information

At Ole Miss

[edit]
See also: 2018 Ole Miss Rebels football team and Egg Bowl
No. 22 Mississippi State Bulldogs (7–4) at Ole Miss Rebels (5–6)
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 22 Bulldogs 7 14 7735
Rebels 0 3 003

at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium • Oxford, Mississippi

  • Date: Thursday, November 22, 2018
  • Game time: 6:30 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Clear • 46 °F (8 °C) • Wind —
  • Game attendance: 56,561
  • Referee: James Carter
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Flemming and Greg McElroy
  • Pregame line: Mississippi State –12.5
Game information

Vs. Iowa (Outback Bowl)

[edit]
See also: 2018 Iowa Hawkeyes football team and 2019 Outback Bowl
No. 18 Mississippi State vs. Iowa
Outback Bowl
1 234Total
No. 18 Bulldogs 6 0133 22
• Hawkeyes 0 1773 27
      
Scoring summary
16:37MSUJace Christmann 44-yard field goalMSU 3–0
0:45MSUJace Christmann 42-yard field goalMSU 6–0
210:02IowaMiguel Recinos 44-yard field goalMSU 6–3
7:55IowaNick Easley 75-yard pass from Nate Stanley (Miguel Recinos kick)Iowa 10–6
6:18IowaIhmir Smith-Marsette 15-yard pass from Nate Stanley (Miguel Recinos kick)Iowa 17–6
311:26MSUKylin Hill 1-yard pass from Nick Fitzgerald (conversion failed)Iowa 17–12
11:08MSUNick Fitzgerald 33-yard run (Jace Christmann kick)MSU 19–17
1:55IowaNick Easley 8-yard pass from Nate Stanley (Miguel Recinos kick)Iowa 24–19
412:04MSUJace Christmann 20-yard field goalIowa 24–22
5:51IowaMiguel Recinos 40-yard field goalIowa 27–22

In a back-and-forth game, Iowa held on to defeat SEC opponent Mississippi State. Senior Jake Gervase made a critical interception in the end zone, and batted down a fourth down pass to end the Bulldogs' hopes. The victory was Ferentz's fifth January bowl win and eighth overall bowl victory.

[22] [23] [24] [25] [26]

Statistics MS IOWA
First downs 15 11
Total yards 342 199
Rushing yards 190 –15
Passing yards 152 214
Turnovers 3 2
Time of possession 33:34 26:26
Team Category Player Statistics
Mississippi State Passing Nick Fitzgerald 14/32, 152 yards, TD, 2 INT
Rushing Nick Fitzgerald 20 carries, 103 yards, TD
Receiving Aeris Williams 3 receptions, 19 yards
Iowa Passing Nate Stanley 21/31, 214 yards, 3 TD, INT
Rushing Toren Young 3 carries, 7 yards
Receiving Nick Easley 8 receptions, 104 yards, 2 TD

Players drafted into the NFL

[edit]
See also: 2019 NFL draft
Round Pick Player Position NFL Club
1 19 Jeffery Simmons DT Tennessee Titans
1 26 Montez Sweat DE Washington Redskins
1 27 Johnathan Abram S Oakland Raiders
2 44 Elgton Jenkins C Green Bay Packers
6 199 Gerri Green LB Indianapolis Colts

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Lowery, Logan (September 12, 2024). "MSU fires Moorhead after two seasons". Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. Retrieved September 17, 2024. All eight of Moorhead's victories in 2018 had to be vacated after 10 football players were reprimanded by the NCAA for academic misconduct involving a former part-time tutor and an online chemistry class.
  2. ^ a b Journal, Logan Lowery Daily. "MSU fires Moorhead after two seasons". Daily Journal. All eight of Moorhead's victories in 2018 had to be vacated after 10 football players were reprimanded by the NCAA for academic misconduct involving a former part-time tutor and an online chemistry class.
  3. ^ a b "Mississippi State placed on 3 years probation by NCAA". WTVA News. Associated Press. Mississippi State has received three years' probation from the NCAA after an investigation determined a part-time student tutor completed coursework for 10 football players and one men's basketball player in an online class.
  4. ^ "2018 Watch List | Lott IMPACT Trophy | Honoring College Football's Defensive Best". lottimpacttrophy.org. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  5. ^ "Rimington Trophy Press Release". May 30, 2018. Retrieved July 14, 2018.
  6. ^ "2018 Bednarik Award Watch List". July 16, 2018. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  7. ^ "2018 Maxwell Award Watch List". July 16, 2018. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  8. ^ "Davey O'Brien Award Watch List includes 26 players". July 17, 2018. Archived from the original on July 17, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  9. ^ "2018 Doak Walker Award Candidates". July 18, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  10. ^ "2018 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List". July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  11. ^ "22018 OUTLAND TROPHY WATCH LIST UNVEILED". July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  12. ^ "Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Announces 2018 Preseason Watch List". July 25, 2018. Archived from the original on August 17, 2009. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  13. ^ "43 PLAYERS NAMED TO 2018 PAUL HORNUNG AWARD WATCH LIST". July 26, 2018. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  14. ^ "Wuerffel Trophy Unveils 2018 Watch List". July 26, 2018. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  15. ^ "Preseason Watch List - 2018 edition of the Ted Hendricks Award" (PDF). August 14, 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  16. ^ "Watch List for 2018 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award ® Presented by A. O. Smith Announced". August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  17. ^ "Manning Award: See which quarterbacks made the preseason watch list for 2018". August 16, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  18. ^ "Media predicts Alabama to win 2018 SEC Championship". www.secsports.com.
  19. ^ "2018 Mississippi State Bulldogs Football Schedule". FB Schedules. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  20. ^ "Fitzgerald leads No. 18 Miss St to 31-10 rout of K-State". ESPN. September 15, 2018. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
  21. ^ Mississippi State Pregame Notes
  22. ^ "Iowa to Play Mississippi State at Outback Bowl". University of Iowa Athletics. December 2, 2018. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  23. ^ "2019 Outback Bowl: News and Notes". University of Iowa Athletics. January 1, 2019. Archived from the original on January 2, 2019. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  24. ^ "Iowa Rallies Past No. 18 Mississippi State In Outback Bowl". Associated Press. January 1, 2019. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  25. ^ "Iowa 27, Mississippi State 22: Hawkeyes throw down with the 'big dog of the whole country'". The Gazette (Cedar Rapids). January 1, 2019. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
  26. ^ "Final Notes 2018". University of Iowa Athletics. January 17, 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
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