By Aaliyan Mohammed
The Mississippi State Bulldogs pulled off an impressive win against the Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday. Mike Leach has beaten a ranked Texas A&M team for the second consecutive year but was able to do it at home this year. The Bulldogs continue to improve as they enter the toughest stretch of their season.
The biggest takeaway from the game is the ability of Mike Leach’s Air Raid to execute against a top-tier team. Last year Will Rogers was able to post impressive numbers on the road against the Aggies. This year he was able to put together a phenomenal game at home. Mike Leach discussed Rogers's play in his post-game press conference.
“He’s definitely improved. He’s gotten better at utilizing the weapons around him,” said Leach. “More quickly and more decisively. There is a rhythm of timing that goes on, he’s doing a better job of getting back on balance.”
Will Rogers threw for 329 yards on Saturday while tacking on three touchdowns. More importantly, it was the second consecutive game he did not throw an interception after throwing at least one in his first three starts. Rodgers also posted his best QBR since the season opener against Memphis. Rogers discussed his upwards trajectory after the big win.
“I mean honestly it just starts at practice. I think after the LSU game, it just lit a fire in this group, and I think we’ve practiced way better. We’ve practiced way faster. I think that’s translated over to Saturdays,” Rogers said.
Like Rogers said, he is not the only player that has played better since the LSU game. The defense has also played exceptionally well. Against Texas A&M they were able to record four turnovers including two interceptions by Emmanuel Forbes. Forbes returned one of his interceptions for a 33-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter and blocked a field goal that was returned for a touchdown as well. Forbes performance earned him SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
In his postgame press conference Forbes emphasized how they can still get better despite putting together a phenomenal game. Forbes said that he’s sure there’s something the defense can work on in film this week, and that they are trying to get better every week.
The Bulldogs will face another tough opponent this weekend when the Arkansas Razorbacks make a trip to Starkville. The Razorbacks have the SEC’s leading rusher in Raheim Sanders and the SEC leader in sacks with Drew Sanders. Both players will look to help Arkansas knock off the now ranked Mississippi State Bulldogs.
The AP College Football Rankings listed Mississippi State at number 23 this week. Mike Leach discussed his views on rankings on Monday ahead of the matchup with Arkansas.
“I pretty much ignore them. Go to the next one,” said Leach. “Just worry about right now and what you can control. Today, it’s put together the best game plan you can, tomorrow, it’s have the best practice you can.”