Blake Shapen leads Mississippi State over Southern Miss
The butterflies were dancing in Hattiesburg on Saturday afternoon, but none more so than in the stomach of Blake Shapen. After 11 long months away from the gridiron, the Mississippi State quarterback was finally backÂ
“I haven’t played in a long time, so just getting out on the field, there’s going to be some jitters,” Shapen admitted after the victory. “I was just excited to get out there and play with these guys. That’s something I’ll never take for granted again.”
The emotion in his voice was unmistakable. This was a man who thought his football career might be over, now celebrating a triumphant return in Bulldog maroon.
Blake Shapen Leads Third Quarter Explosion
He looked every bit the quarterback Mississippi State hoped they were getting when he transferred from Baylor. The senior signal-caller completed 26 of 34 passes for 270 yards and a touchdown, shaking off the rust from his shoulder injury that cut short his 2024 campaign after just four games.
After a sluggish first half that had Bulldog fans nervously checking their watches, the Bulldogs came out of the locker room with fire in their bellies and purpose in their stride. The third quarter belonged entirely to the visitors, who outgained Southern Miss 199-25 in those crucial 15 minutes.
Key Moments and Performances in the Game
- Shapen’s Opening Statement: Just 85 seconds into the game, Shapen found tight end Seydou Traore streaking down the seam for a 55-yard touchdown bomb that set the tone early
- Kyle Ferrie Makes History: The kicker drilled a program-record 55-yard field goal in the first quarter, breaking a mark that had stood since 1985
- Fluff Bothwell’s Bulldozing: The South Alabama transfer running back punched in two short touchdown runs in the third quarter, showing the power Mississippi State lacked last season
- Brylan Lanier’s Pick: The defensive back’s interception set up another Bulldog touchdown and helped seal the victory
- Brenen Thompson’s Reliability: The receiver hauled in seven catches for 92 yards, giving Shapen a trusted target all afternoon
Final Thoughts of the Game
The Bulldogs controlled the line of scrimmage when it mattered most, rushing for 185 yards on 40 carries while limiting Southern Miss to just 301 total yards. Traore finished with five catches for 77 yards and that spectacular touchdown, while the defense forced turnovers at crucial moments.
Southern Miss quarterback Braylon Braxton, the 2024 Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year, managed 26 of 39 for 199 yards and two touchdowns, but the Bulldogs neutralized him in the second half when games are won and lost.
Head coach Jeff Lebby couldn’t hide his satisfaction with how his team responded to adversity. After struggling through a 2-10 nightmare in 2024, this performance felt like a statement that better days are ahead in Starkville.
The penalties that plagued Mississippi State in the first half, including two touchdowns called back, served as growing pains for a team still learning how to win again. But when the lights were brightest and the pressure mounted, Shapen and the Bulldogs delivered the goods.
Now comes the real test. Arizona State visits Starkville on September 6, and the 11th-ranked Sun Devils will provide a much stiffer challenge than what Southern Miss could muster. But for one afternoon in Hattiesburg, Blake Shapen proved that sometimes the sweetest victories are the ones nobody saw coming.
