Mississippi State linebackers looking to shore up third-down issues

From the start of the season to now, head coach Jeff Lebby has repeated often the importance of the defense getting off the field. That has been an issue the majority of the season and was even more evident in last week’s 34-24 loss to Texas A&M.

The Aggies were 9 of 14 on third down plays last Saturday and that kept several drives alive and kept State’s defense on the field. On the early downs, the Bulldogs did have success, which made the lack of third-down execution even more frustrating.

“Obviously, third down is what killed us,” said junior linebacker Stone Blanton. “But our base-down defense was pretty good, for the most part. We just got to get off the field on third down and the game could’ve been a lot different. And capitalize on some opportunities that we missed. It is what it is and we have to go on to the next game.”

Which will be key again this Saturday when the Bulldogs welcome Arkansas to Davis Wade Stadium. The Razorbacks also like to run the ball as did Texas A&M. But how State fares on third-down passing situations could dictate a win or a loss.

“We just struggled on third downs and third down killed us,” junior linebacker Nic Mitchell noted. “But we did play our best base-style defense. We just got to clean that up and improve that. We have to realize how critical those are to get off the field in those situations. It’s kind of like you do all that work for nothing, you just let them off the hook. We know we have to improve on that and it’s a challenge for us right now.”

Of late, Blanton has played his best football for the Bulldogs. The Magnolia State native spent his first two college campaigns at South Carolina before transferring to State back in January. With more time in the system, his production has increased.

“I would say getting comfortable with the scheme and all of that,” added Blanton, who ranks fifth in the SEC with 59 tackles. “More film study, more prep. It just takes more and more each week just to get more comfortable, more confident in my ability. And just going and having fun. I feel like I’m having fun and that’s important. The season hasn’t gone like we wanted it to but that hasn’t stopped me from loving the game and loving strapping it up each week with my great teammates.”

One positive development for State’s defense has been forcing turnovers of late. The Bulldogs have produced six turnovers in the last three games, including a pair of interceptions last weekend against the Aggies. But Mitchell and teammate Corey Ellington also dropped would-be interceptions that could’ve changed momentum.

“It’s rough man,” said Mitchell. “Coach Hutz says somebody’s got to make the play. Be a playmaker, step into the ball, pick it off. You always wish you could have it back, you’re going to remember it for the rest of your life. I know it’s going to come back to me and I’m going to be ready next time.”

And Blanton agreed. Turnovers can “come in bunches” and being in the right defensive position plays a role, as well.

“I think turnovers come in bunches,” Blanton remarked. “That’s what all defensive coordinators preach. It’s what most defensive guys believes. Turnovers come in bunches and once you get one, they start rolling like this. If we can keep punching at it and keep getting in the right spots, we’re gonna to create more turnovers and create more opportunities for our offense to score.”

As expected and as Lebby alluded to on Monday, the emphasis this week in practice has been to find success on third down and for the defense to get of the field. And that message will ring loudly going into Saturday.

“It’s on us,” Blanton mentioned. “It’s on me, my execution and our execution as a defensive group. We got to get the call and we got to execute it. If we don’t execute the call there’s going to be holes in the defense and that’s going to lead to big plays. I got to do a better job. We as a defense have to do a better job and that will help with third downs. You have to mix it up and execute, and that’s on players.”