How Mississippi State football’s improved running game came to light by beating UMass

STARKVILLE — Johnnie Daniels was bummed he couldn’t meet Xavier Gayten in the end zone.

Gayten, a Mississippi State football freshman running back, won a 72-yard foot race for his first career touchdown. It came in the final minutes of MSU’s 45-20 blowout win against UMass (2-7) at Davis Wade Stadium on Saturday. Daniels, also a running back, would’ve been penalized for leaving the sideline had he met Gayten to celebrate a touchdown by the Bulldogs (2-7, 0-5 SEC).

It capped off what was statistically Mississippi State’s best rushing performance of the season — albeit by one rushing yard — and followed a trend of what’s been an improved run attack since the start of the season.

“I love seeing our guys having success,” quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. said. “That brings me happiness when my guy is successful. That’s what I do it for. I’m proud of all those guys for getting in the end zone, especially Xavier with the big run, knowing he’s a freshman just like me.”

What’s changed in Mississippi State’s running game

The Bulldogs ran for 241 yards and five touchdowns against UMass. After the first quarter, they had minus-4 rushing yards. The 241 yards are one more than MSU had against Florida, but MSU had 26 fewer rush attempts against UMass.

Daniels led MSU with 92 yards on six carries, followed by Davon Booth with 76 yards on 11 carries and Gayten with 69 yards on two attempts. All three of them scored a touchdown of at least 30 yards, and Van Buren added two short rushing touchdowns. Daniels, Booth and Gayten averaged 12.5 yards per carry.

“I think we finished in better body positions in the core at the line of scrimmage,” Mississippi State coach Jeff Lebby said. “That gives those backs a chance to run through tracks and create some space for those guys. I thought our guys did a…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/mississippi-state-football-improved-running-163556946.html

Author : The Clarion Ledger

Publish date : 2024-11-03 16:35:56

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