Mississippi State opens at Southern Miss with both programs looking to improve
Mississippi State quarterback Blake Shapen (2) prepares to pass against Florida during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Sept. 21, 2024. Florida won 45-28. Credit: AP/James Pugh
Mississippi State at Southern Miss, Saturday, noon EDT.
BetMGM College Football Odds: Mississippi State by 13 1/2.
How to watch: ESPN
Key stats
Mississippi State (2024)
Overall offense: 377.2 yards per game (78th in FBS)
Passing: 199.4 yards per game (98th)
Rushing: 130.4 yards per game (98th)
Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby calls to his players during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi, Nov. 29, 2024, in Oxford, Miss. Credit: AP/Rogelio V. Solis
Scoring: 25.8 points per game (86th)
Overall defense: 456.4 yards allowed per game (125th in FBS)
Passing: 239.5 yards allowed per game (104th)
Rushing: 216.9 yards allowed per game (129th)
Scoring: 20.7 points allowed per game (25th)
Southern Miss (2024)
Overall offense: 283.5 yards per game (131st in FBS)
Passing: 174.9 yards per game (120th)
Rushing: 108.6 yards per game (118th)
Scoring: 15.2 points per game (131st)
Overall defense: 449.2 yards allowed per game (121st in FBS)
Passing: 216.5 yards allowed per game (64th)
Rushing: 232.7 yards allowed per game (132nd)
Scoring: 25.3 points allowed per game (69th)
Team leaders
Mississippi State (2024)
Passing: Michael Van Buren Jr., 1,886 yards, 11 TDs, 7 INTs, 54.7 completion percentage
Rushing: Davon Booth, 759 yards on 152 carries, 5 TDs
Receiving: Kevin Coleman Jr., 932 yards on 74 catches, 6 TD
Southern Miss (2024)
Passing: Tate Rodemaker, 985 yards, 7 TDs, 7 INTs, 59.8 completion percentage
Rushing: Rodrigues Clark, 604 yards on 124 carries, 1 TD
Receiving: Tiaquelin Mims, 383 yards on 33 catches, 1 TD
Last game
Mississippi State lost at Mississippi to end the season at 2-10.
Southern Miss lost 52-20 at Troy to finish 1-11.
Next game
Mississippi State hosts Arizona State on Sept. 6, when Southern Miss hosts Jackson State.
