QUICK HITTER: Bulldogs run over in 30-23 loss at Arizona State
A disastrous first half dug Mississippi State a hole that the Bulldogs couldn’t climb out of on Saturday night in Arizona.
The Bulldogs were bulldozed in the first half defensively and a late comeback came up short as Arizona State won the game 30-23.
State’s defense surrendered 262 yards of offense in the first half with 208 yards on the ground as the Bulldogs managed just 82 yards of their own. The Sun Devils built a 30-3 lead by the half as running back Cam Skattebo ran wild on the State front.
It was a much better second half from the Bulldogs as they outscored the Sun Devils 20-0 in the second half but Skattebo managed to cap things off. The senior running back moved the chains on 4th and 1 as the Sun Devils took a chance late in the ball game in their own territory. Skattebo would move the sticks once again on 3rd and 5 with 2 minutes left to essentially end things.
State scored three touchdowns in the second half to stay in the ball game. Keyvone Lee had a touchdown run from 6 yards out late in the third quarter, Blake Shapen hit Davon Booth for a 15-yard touchdown and then Kevin Coleman had an 80-yard touchdown catch and run to cut it to 30-23 with 5:27 left.
ASU (2-0) had 422 yards of offense with 353 yards coming on the ground in a historically bad night defending the run. Skattebo had one of the great games of a running back in ASU history as he rushed 33 times for 262 yards.
The Bulldogs (1-1) had just 292 yards with the bulk coming in the second half. State had just 24 yards on the ground with Lee leading the way with nine carries for 35 yards and a score. Shapen was 18-of-28 passing for 268 yards and two scores.
MSU is back in action next week when the Bulldogs host Toledo at 6:30 p.m.
