The 2021 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team represented Mississippi State University in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bulldogs played their home games at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi, and competed in the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They were led by second-year head coach Mike Leach.
Coaching staff
Staff from 2021.
Name |
Position
|
Mike Leach |
Head coach
|
Tony Hughes |
Associate head coach & Nickelbacks Coach
|
Zach Arnett |
Defensive coordinator & Linebackers coach
|
Matt Brock |
Special teams coordinator & Outside Linebackers Coach
|
Darcel McBath |
Cornerbacks coach
|
Eric Mele |
Running backs coach
|
Mason Miller |
Offensive line coach
|
Dave Nichol |
Inside receivers coach
|
Jeff Phelps |
Defensive line coach
|
Steve Spurrier Jr. |
Outside receivers coach
|
Jason Washington |
Safeties coach
|
Tyson Brown |
Head strength and conditioning coach
|
SEC Media Days
In the preseason media poll, Mississippi State was predicted to finish last in the West Division.
West
Predicted finish
|
Team
|
Votes (1st place)
|
1
|
Alabama
|
932 (130)
|
2
|
Texas A&M
|
760 (1)
|
3
|
LSU
|
633 (1)
|
4
|
Ole Miss
|
529 (1)
|
5
|
Auburn
|
440
|
6
|
Arkansas
|
241 (1)
|
7
|
Mississippi State
|
217
|
Regular season
Schedule
Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
---|
September 4 | 3:00 p.m. | Louisiana Tech* | | | ESPNU | W 35–34 | 44,669 |
September 11 | 6:00 p.m. | NC State* | | - Davis Wade Stadium
- Starkville, MS
| ESPN2 | W 24–10 | 45,834 |
September 18 | 3:00 p.m. | at Memphis* | | | ESPN2 | L 29–31 | 43,461 |
September 25 | 11:00 a.m. | LSU | | - Davis Wade Stadium
- Starkville, MS (rivalry)
| ESPN | L 25–28 | 50,298 |
October 2 | 6:00 p.m. | at No. 15 Texas A&M | | | SECN | W 26–22 | 87,973 |
October 16 | 6:00 p.m. | No. 5 Alabama | | - Davis Wade Stadium
- Starkville, MS (rivalry)
| ESPN | L 9–49 | 53,796 |
October 23 | 3:00 p.m. | at Vanderbilt | | | SECN | W 45–6 | 22,036 |
October 30 | 6:00 p.m. | No. 12 Kentucky | | - Davis Wade Stadium
- Starkville, MS
| SECN | W 31–17 | 49,487 |
November 6 | 3:00 p.m. | at Arkansas | No. 17 | | SECN | L 28–31 | 68,818 |
November 13 | 11:00 a.m. | at No. 17 Auburn | | | ESPN | W 43–34 | 87,451 |
November 20 | 11:00 a.m. | Tennessee State* | No. 25 | - Davis Wade Stadium
- Starkville, MS
| ESPN+/SECN+ | W 55–10 | 46,770 |
| 6:30 p.m. | No. 9 Ole Miss | | - Davis Wade Stadium
- Starkville, MS (Egg Bowl)
| ESPN | L 21–31 | 55,601 |
| 5:45 p.m. | vs. Texas Tech* | | | ESPN | L 7–34 | 48,615 |
|
Game summaries
Louisiana Tech
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Louisiana Tech |
7 |
14 | 10 | 3 |
34 |
• Mississippi State |
14 |
0 | 0 | 21 |
35 |
|
Pregame line |
Over/under
|
-20.5 |
53
|
Statistics |
LA Tech |
MSU
|
First downs |
14 |
22
|
Total yards |
369 |
436
|
Rushing yards |
101 |
66
|
Passing yards |
268 |
371
|
Turnovers |
2 |
4
|
Time of possession |
27:40 |
32:20
|
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
Louisiana Tech |
Passing |
Austin Kendall |
20/36, 269 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
|
Rushing |
Austin Kendall |
5 carries, 68 yards, 1 TD
|
Receiving |
Bub Means |
2 receptions, 94 yards, 1 TD
|
Mississippi State |
Passing |
Will Rogers |
39/47, 370 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
|
Rushing |
Jo’Quavious Marks |
12 carries, 71 yards, 2 TD’S
|
Receiving |
Jamire Calvin |
3 receptions, 67 yards, 1 TD
|
NC State
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
NC State |
0 |
3 | 0 | 7 |
10 |
• Mississippi State |
7 |
7 | 7 | 3 |
24 |
- Date:
September 11 - Location:
Starkville, MS - Game start:
6:05 p.m. - Game attendance: 45,834
- Game weather: 83, Sunny, Wind SE @ 4 mph
- Referee: Jerry Magallane
- TV announcers (ESPN2):
Anish Shroff (play-by-play), Mike Golic Jr. (analyst), and Taylor McGregor (sideline)
|
Pregame line |
Over/under
|
+1.5 |
56
|
Statistics |
NC State |
MSU
|
First downs |
16 |
15
|
Total yards |
335 |
316
|
Rushing yards |
32 |
22
|
Passing yards |
303 |
294
|
Turnovers |
3 |
0
|
Time of possession |
28:54 |
31:06
|
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
NC State |
Passing |
Devin Leary |
30/49, 303 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
|
Rushing |
Zonovan Knight |
8 carries, 31 yards
|
Receiving |
Emeka Emezie |
6 receptions, 92 yards
|
Mississippi State |
Passing |
Will Rogers |
33/49, 294 yards, 2 TD's
|
Rushing |
Dillon Johnson |
6 carries, 18 yards
|
Receiving |
Dillon Johnson |
6 receptions, 70 yards
|
At Memphis
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Mississippi State |
3 |
14 | 0 | 12 |
29 |
• Memphis |
7 |
0 | 7 | 17 |
31 |
- Date:
September 18 - Location:
Memphis, TN - Game start:
3:05 p.m. - Game attendance: 43,461
- Game weather: 77, Cloudy, Wind NE @ 7 mph
- Referee: Marc Curles
- TV announcers (ESPN2):
Beth Mowins (play-by-play), Kirk Morrison (analyst), and Dawn Davenport (field)
|
Pregame line |
Over/under
|
-3.0 |
64
|
Statistics |
MSU |
Memphis
|
First downs |
26 |
12
|
Total yards |
468 |
246
|
Rushing yards |
49 |
87
|
Passing yards |
419 |
159
|
Turnovers |
1 |
1
|
Time of possession |
40:33 |
19:27
|
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
Mississippi State |
Passing |
Will Rogers |
50/67, 419 yards, 3 TD
|
Rushing |
Dillon Johnson |
7 carries, 49 yards, 1 TD
|
Receiving |
Makai Polk |
11 receptions, 136 yards, 1 TD
|
Memphis |
Passing |
Seth Henigan |
16/28, 159 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
|
Rushing |
Brandon Thomas |
16 carries, 86 yards
|
Receiving |
Calvin Austin |
9 receptions, 105 yards, 2 TD
|
LSU
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• LSU |
7 |
0 | 14 | 7 |
28 |
Mississippi State |
0 |
3 | 7 | 15 |
25 |
- Date:
September 25 - Location:
Starkville, MS - Game start:
11:07 a.m. - Game attendance: 50,298
- Game weather: 74, Sunny, Wind NW @ 2 mph
- Referee: Alex Moore
- TV announcers (ESPN):
Bob Wischusen (play-by-play), Dan Orlovsky (analyst), and Kris Budden (sideline reporter)
|
Pregame line |
Over/under
|
+1.5 |
56
|
Statistics |
LSU |
MSU
|
First downs |
15 |
29
|
Total yards |
343 |
486
|
Rushing yards |
63 |
115
|
Passing yards |
280 |
371
|
Turnovers |
1 |
2
|
Time of possession |
24:52 |
35:08
|
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
LSU |
Passing |
Max Johnson |
17/27, 280 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT
|
Rushing |
Tyrion Davis-Price |
13 carries, 51 yards
|
Receiving |
Kayshon Boutte |
4 receptions, 85 yards, 2 TD
|
Mississippi State |
Passing |
Will Rogers |
47/62, 371 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
|
Rushing |
Dillon Johnson |
8 carries, 51 yards
|
Receiving |
Makai Polk |
8 receptions, 78 yards, 1 TD
|
At No. 15 Texas A&M
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• Mississippi State |
10 |
7 | 7 | 2 |
26 |
No. 15 Texas A&M |
7 |
6 | 6 | 3 |
22 |
|
Pregame line |
Over/under
|
+7.0 |
47
|
Statistics |
MSU |
Texas A&M
|
First downs |
27 |
15
|
Total yards |
438 |
297
|
Rushing yards |
30 |
162
|
Passing yards |
408 |
135
|
Turnovers |
0 |
1
|
Time of possession |
35:06 |
24:54
|
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
Mississippi State |
Passing |
Will Rogers |
46/59, 408 yards, 3 TD
|
Rushing |
Dillon Johnson |
6 carries, 19 yards
|
Receiving |
Makai Polk |
13 receptions, 126 yards, 2 TD
|
Texas A&M |
Passing |
Zach Calzada |
12/20, 135 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
|
Rushing |
Isaiah Spiller |
16 carries, 100 yards
|
Receiving |
Jalen Preston |
2 receptions, 49 yards
|
No. 5 Alabama
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• No. 5 Alabama |
14 |
7 | 14 | 14 |
49 |
Mississippi State |
3 |
3 | 3 | 0 |
9 |
- Date:
October 16 - Location:
Starkville, MS - Game start:
6:11 p.m. - Game attendance: 53,796
- Game weather: 63, Sunny, Wind N @ 7 mph
- Referee: Matt Loeffler
- TV announcers (ESPN): Joe Tessitore (play-by-play), Greg McElroy (analyst) and Katie George (sideline)
|
Pregame line |
Over/under
|
+17.0 |
58
|
Statistics |
Alabama |
MSU
|
First downs |
22 |
24
|
Total yards |
543 |
299
|
Rushing yards |
195 |
-1
|
Passing yards |
348 |
300
|
Turnovers |
0 |
3
|
Time of possession |
29:53 |
30:07
|
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
Alabama |
Passing |
Bryce Young |
20/28, 348 yards, 4 TD
|
Rushing |
Roydell Williams |
11 carries, 78 yards
|
Receiving |
John Metchie III |
7 receptions, 117 yards, 1 TD
|
Mississippi State |
Passing |
Will Rogers |
35/55, 300 yards, 3 INT
|
Rushing |
Dillon Johnson |
7 carries, 24 yards
|
Receiving |
Jaden Walley |
6 receptions, 64 yards
|
At Vanderbilt
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• Mississippi State |
10 |
14 | 7 | 14 |
45 |
Vanderbilt |
0 |
3 | 3 | 0 |
6 |
- Date:
October 23 - Location:
Nashville, TN - Game start: 3:01 p.m.
- Game attendance: 22,036
- Game weather: Sunny
- Referee: Ken Williamson
- TV announcers (SECN): Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play), Matt Stinchcomb (analyst) and Alyssa Lang (sideline reporter)
|
Pregame line |
Over/under
|
-20.5 |
53
|
Statistics |
MSU |
Vanderbilt
|
First downs |
29 |
5
|
Total yards |
522 |
155
|
Rushing yards |
61 |
9
|
Passing yards |
461 |
146
|
Turnovers |
2 |
1
|
Time of possession |
39:02 |
20:58
|
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
Mississippi State |
Passing |
Will Rogers |
41/57, 384 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
|
Rushing |
Dillon Johnson |
7 carries, 34 yards
|
Receiving |
Jaden Walley |
5 receptions, 72 yards
|
Vanderbilt |
Passing |
Mike Wright |
12/17, 122 yards, 1 INT
|
Rushing |
Rocko Griffin |
7 carries, 12 yards
|
Receiving |
Devin Boddie Jr. |
4 receptions, 69 yards
|
No. 12 Kentucky
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
No. 12 Kentucky |
7 |
3 | 0 | 7 |
17 |
• Mississippi State |
0 |
14 | 17 | 0 |
31 |
- Date:
October 30 - Location:
Starkville, MS - Game start: 6:09 p.m.
- Game attendance: 49,487
- Game weather: 55, Cloudy, Wind NW @ 5 mph
- Referee: Lee Hendrick
- TV announcers (SECN): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst), Cole Cubelic (sideline)
|
Pregame line |
Over/under
|
-1.0 |
47
|
Statistics |
Kentucky |
MSU
|
First downs |
14 |
27
|
Total yards |
216 |
438
|
Rushing yards |
66 |
94
|
Passing yards |
150 |
344
|
Turnovers |
4 |
0
|
Time of possession |
18:50 |
41:10
|
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
Kentucky |
Passing |
Will Levis |
17/28, 150 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT
|
Rushing |
Chris Rodriguez Jr. |
8 carries, 34 yards
|
Receiving |
Wan'Dale Robinson |
9 receptions, 79 yards
|
Mississippi State |
Passing |
Will Rogers |
36/39, 344 yards, 1 TD
|
Rushing |
Jo’Quavious Marks |
20 carries, 58 yards , 1 TD
|
Receiving |
Jaden Walley |
6 receptions, 95 yards
|
At Arkansas
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
No. 17 Mississippi State |
0 |
7 | 7 | 14 |
28 |
• Arkansas |
10 |
3 | 3 | 15 |
31 |
|
Pregame line |
Over/under
|
+4.0 |
54
|
Statistics |
MSU |
Arkansas
|
First downs |
28 |
23
|
Total yards |
486 |
393
|
Rushing yards |
69 |
202
|
Passing yards |
417 |
191
|
Turnovers |
1 |
0
|
Time of possession |
32:14 |
27:46
|
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
Mississippi State |
Passing |
Will Rogers |
36/48, 417 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT
|
Rushing |
Jo'Quavious Marks |
11 carries, 40 yards
|
Receiving |
Makai Polk |
8 receptions, 117 yards
|
Arkansas |
Passing |
KJ Jefferson |
19/23, 191 yards, 1 TD
|
Rushing |
Dominique Johnson |
17 carries, 107 yards, 2 TD
|
Receiving |
Treylon Burks |
6 receptions, 82 yards, 1 TD
|
At No. 17 Auburn
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• Mississippi State |
3 |
7 | 13 | 20 |
43 |
No. 17 Auburn |
14 |
14 | 0 | 6 |
34 |
|
Pregame line |
Over/under
|
+5.5 |
51
|
Statistics |
MSU |
Auburn
|
First downs |
31 |
22
|
Total yards |
487 |
483
|
Rushing yards |
72 |
106
|
Passing yards |
415 |
377
|
Turnovers |
0 |
1
|
Time of possession |
35:01 |
24:59
|
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
Mississippi State |
Passing |
Will Rogers |
44/55, 415 yards, 6 TD
|
Rushing |
Dillon Johnson |
8 carries, 62 yards
|
Receiving |
Jaden Walley |
7 receptions, 87 yards
|
Auburn |
Passing |
Bo Nix |
27/41, 377 yards, 2 TD
|
Rushing |
Ja'Varrius Johnson |
1 carries, 57 yards, 1 TD
|
Receiving |
Kobe Hudson |
8 receptions, 107 yards, 1 TD
|
Tennessee State
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Tennessee State |
0 |
0 | 0 | 10 |
10 |
• No. 25 Mississippi State |
21 |
14 | 14 | 6 |
55 |
- Date:
November 20 - Location:
Starkville, MS - Game start: 11:02 a.m.
- Game attendance: 46,770
- Game weather: 55, Sunny, Wind SE @ 8 mph
- Referee: Daniel Gautreaux
- TV announcers (ESPN+/SECN+): Mike Couzens (play-by-play), Dustin Fox (analyst)
|
Pregame line |
Over/under
|
-44.0 |
56
|
Statistics |
Tenn State |
MSU
|
First downs |
14 |
23
|
Total yards |
205 |
600
|
Rushing yards |
35 |
107
|
Passing yards |
170 |
493
|
Turnovers |
1 |
2
|
Time of possession |
35:20 |
24:40
|
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
Tennessee State |
Passing |
Deveon Bryant |
9/11, 128 yards
|
Rushing |
Devon Starling |
11 carries, 33 yards
|
Receiving |
Cam Wyche |
4 receptions, 88 yards
|
Mississippi State |
Passing |
Will Rogers |
28/34, 391 yards, 5 TD
|
Rushing |
Dillon Johnson |
5 carries, 56 yards, 1 TD
|
Receiving |
Makai Polk |
9 receptions, 110 yards, 1 TD
|
No. 9 Ole Miss
Egg Bowl
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• No. 9 Ole Miss |
3 |
7 | 7 | 14 |
31 |
Mississippi State |
6 |
0 | 0 | 15 |
21 |
- Date: November 25
- Location: Starkville, MS
- Game start: 6:33 p.m.
- TV announcers (ESPN): Joe Tessitore (play-by-play), Greg McElroy (analyst) and Katie George (sideline)
|
Pregame line |
Over/under
|
-2.0 |
65
|
Statistics |
Ole Miss |
MSU
|
First downs |
23 |
30
|
Total yards |
388 |
420
|
Rushing yards |
154 |
84
|
Passing yards |
234 |
336
|
Turnovers |
1 |
0
|
Time of possession |
30:16 |
29:44
|
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
Ole Miss |
Passing |
Matt Corral |
26/34, 234 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
|
Rushing |
Jerrion Ealy |
16 carries, 60 yards
|
Receiving |
Dontario Drummond |
14 receptions, 138 yards
|
Mississippi State |
Passing |
Will Rogers |
38/58, 336 yards, 1 TD
|
Rushing |
Jo'Quavious Marks |
8 carries, 45 yards, 1 TD
|
Receiving |
Makai Polk |
10 receptions, 98 yards
|
Vs. Texas Tech
AutoZone Liberty Bowl
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• Texas Tech |
10 |
3 | 14 | 7 |
34 |
Mississippi State |
0 |
7 | 0 | 0 |
7 |
- Date: December 28
- Location: Memphis, TN
- Game start: 5:45 pm CST
- Game attendance: 48,615
- Referee: Riley Jefferson
- TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Neal (play-by-play), Deuce McAllister (analyst), Andraya Carter (sideline)
|
Pregame line |
Over/under
|
-10.0 |
58
|
Statistics |
TTU |
MSU
|
First downs |
24 |
21
|
Total yards |
512 |
344
|
Rushing yards |
260 |
54
|
Passing yards |
252 |
290
|
Turnovers |
0 |
3
|
Time of possession |
30:57 |
28:41
|
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
Texas Tech |
Passing |
Donovan Smith |
15/28, 252 yards, 1 TD
|
Rushing |
Tahj Brooks |
16 rushes, 107 yards, 1 TD
|
Receiving |
Myles Price |
3 receptions, 72 yards
|
Mississippi State |
Passing |
Will Rogers |
32/53, 290 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
|
Rushing |
Dillon Johnson |
9 rushes, 62 yards
|
Receiving |
Austin Williams |
5 receptions, 74 yards
|
Rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes | Week |
---|
Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final |
---|
AP | — | — | — | — | — | RV | RV | — | — | RV | — | RV | RV | RV | RV | — |
---|
Coaches | RV | — | RV | — | — | RV | RV | — | — | RV | — | RV | RV | RV | RV | — |
---|
CFP | Not released | 17 | — | 25 | — | — | — | Not released |
---|
Statistics
Scoring
Scores by quarter (non-conference opponents)
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4 |
Total |
All opponents
|
14
|
17
|
17
|
37 |
85 |
Mississippi State
|
45
|
35
|
21
|
42 |
143 |
|
Scores by quarter (SEC opponents)
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4 |
Total |
SEC opponents
|
62
|
43
|
47
|
66 |
218 |
Mississippi State
|
32
|
55
|
61
|
80 |
228 |
|
Team statistics
Team Statistics
|
|
Opponents |
Mississippi State
|
Total Points |
303 |
371
|
Points per game |
25.6 |
30.9
|
Rushing Yards per game |
101 |
64
|
Passing Yards per game |
230.1 |
385.8
|
Players drafted into the NFL