STARKVILLE, Miss. – Nick Fitzgerald threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score to lead Mississippi State to a 49-0 victory over Charleston Southern on Saturday in the season opener for both teams.
Mississippi State racked up 555 yards of offense with 29 first downs and almost a 50-50 split on yards rushing and passing.
Such offensive chutzpah was to be expected from a Dan Mullen team, but the bigger surprise for Mississippi State was their defensive dominance.
Charleston Southern mustered only 33 total yards and two first downs against an MSU defense that allowed an average of 459 yards per game last season. Tougher competition looms, but with nine tackles for a loss, one sack and two safeties, the Bulldog unit carried the day.
MSU controlled the game from the opening kickoff, scoring 23 points and holding the Buccaneers to 15 yards of total offense in the first quarter. The Bulldogs led 35-0 at halftime and cruised in the second half.
Fitzgerald was 16 for 29 for 239 yards, throwing touchdown passes to Gabe Myles and Deddrick Thomas. Aeris Williams led all rushers with 83 yards and a touchdown. Dontavian Lee also rushed for a touchdown.
THE TAKEAWAY
MISSISSIPPI STATE: The Bulldogs avoided dropping a second straight opener and looked like a contender in the ultra-deep SEC West. Last year’s opening day loss to South Alabama underscored how much the team missed Dak Prescott, but Fitzgerald has matured mightily since then.
CHARLESTON SOUTHERN: Clearly outmatched, CSU has multiple areas to address before they are competitive as an FBS team. The Buccaneers are 0-19 versus FBS schools.
UP NEXT
MISSISSIPPI STATE: The Bulldogs trvel to Louisiana Tech next week for a second non-conference game, then host LSU the following Saturday in an early-season divisional sorting match.
CHARLESTON SOUTHERN: The Bucs head to South Carolina State for the second of three season-opening road tests on Saturday. First-year coach Mark Tucker will again be seeking his inaugural win.