Bulldogs Win Shootout Up North

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) — The Mississippi State Bulldogs traveled more than 2,000 miles north of Starkville to take on the UMass Minutemen in Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

Playing close to where head coach Dan Mullen grew up, the Bulldogs and Minutemen put on a show, with the Bulldogs coming away with the 47-35 win.

The UMass offense was clicking in the first half, getting out to a 14-6 lead with just under two minutes to go in the first half.

The Bulldogs would respond in a big way, putting together a seven play, 65 yard touchdown drive in one minute and twenty seconds to cut the lead to 14-13 right before the half.

Nick Fitzgerald was accurate and efficient, leading the Bulldogs to a  28-points in the third quarter. Fitzgerald would account for more than 400 yards of offense, throwing 25-38, 299 yards, and three touchdowns, while gaining 110 yards on the ground.

The ground game showed up big for the Bulldogs, as the team combined for 299 yards rushing in Foxboro.

The momentum shifted the Bulldogs’ way in the third quarter when junior defensive back Jamoral Graham got an interception and took it 38 yards to the house, giving the Bulldogs a 13-point cushion.

The defense fended off against a furious comeback late by the Minutemen, and Ashton Shumpert sealed the deal late for Mississippi State on a 12-yard touchdown run.

The Bulldogs are on bye for week five, and they’ll have two weeks to prepare for the Auburn Tigers on October 8th in Starkville.