Saturday was a day of celebration as the Jeff Lebby era started. The game got underway in Starkville against Eastern Kentucky with a bang as the Bulldogs cruised to an easy win. The third play from scrimmage and showtime for the Bulldog faithful got underway with a massive 65-yard bomb from Blake Shapen to Jordan Mosley to take an early 7-0 lead over the visitors from Eastern Kentucky. From there, the floodgates opened, and the Bulldogs never looked back.

Despite allowing Eastern Kentucky to score a touchdown with three seconds remaining in the half, Mississippi State carried a 35-7 lead to the locker room. At the break, quarterback Blake Shapen had 180 yards through the air with three touchdowns. Jordan Mosley finished the half with 87 yards in receiving, while Creed Whittemore led the Bulldogs in rush with a 41-yard touchdown run. Mosley finished the half with a touchdown of his own.

Kevin Coleman wowed the fans on special teams in the first half with several strong punt returns, almost breaking a couple for touchdowns. There was a feeling that Coleman would eventually break out, giving the Bulldogs a shot in the arm to keep the momentum on their side in the second half.

Eastern Kentucky opened the second half with the ball but had a drive stall out on fourth down as the Mississippi State defense got another stop, giving the ball back to Blake Shapen and company. Mississippi State would eat the clock, ending the drive in a short run for a touchdown from Davon Booth to extend the Mississippi State lead to 42-7 with 7:00 min remaining in the third.

Eastern Kentucky would once again have a drive stall on 4th down, giving the Bulldogs the ball back on the EKU 33-yard line. Up 42-7 with 2:22 in the third, Coach Lebby would again go with his starters to close out the third quarter.

Mississippi State would hold on to the 42-7 lead at the end of the third. Mississippi State was on the ten-yard line to start the 4th with third down. The 25-yard field goal attempt from Kyle Ferrie was a go, as EKU got a piece of it at the line of scrimmage. Eastern Kentucky would take over on the Mississippi State ten-yard line.

Following another Eastern Kentucky punt, Mississippi State would bring in Chris Parson as quarterback and several other second-team guys to help with clock management and put away the first win under Head Coach Jeff Lebby.

Eastern Kentucky would be held again with 6:58 remaining, as the Bulldogs’ defense shut them down and ended the possession with a blocked punt for a Mississippi State touchdown, extending the lead to 49-7 over EKU. Elijah Cannon would give Mississippi State another spark with a pick-six with 4:07 remaining to extend the Bulldogs lead to 56-7 over EKU.

Mississippi State will hit the road next Saturday as they travel to Arizona State for a late-night football game against the Sun Devils. The next home for the Bulldogs will be a matchup with Toledo under the light at Davis Wade Stadium on the 14th.

( Photo Credits- Mississippi State athletics)