In honoring Mike Leach, Mississippi State football takes down Illinois in ReliaQuest Bowl

Stefan Krajisnik, Mississippi Clarion Ledger
·4 min read
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TAMPA, Fla. — The drive started just in front of the pirate ship at Raymond James Stadium. On the deck, a photo of Mike Leach stood while surrounded by flowers.

On the field, Mississippi State football needed to put together a two-minute drive to clinch a win against Illinois in the ReliaQuest Bowl. It had to be put together one play at a time and with the former coach's mantra in mind.

Do your job. Play the next play. Swing your sword.

It started with a 19-yard completion to Lideatrick Griffin. It ended with a 27-yard field goal by Massimo Biscardi. The nine-play drive ended with Mississippi State 13, Illinois 10. A touchdown on a wild final play as time expired made the final score 19-10.

Mississippi State (9-4) has won nine games for the first time since 2017, capped by a win in a state Leach loved.

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Will Rogers struggles early

If Monday was an audition for Steve Spurrier Jr. as offensive coordinator, it got off to a poor start. MSU waited until the final 10 seconds of the first half to get on the board with a field goal.

The Bulldogs’ best first-half drive came late in the first quarter and into the second. MSU got to goal-to-go before quarterback Will Rogers threw an interception on the goal line, though it appeared the pass may have been deflected.

His second interception on the ensuing drive left no debate. It was on Rogers. While scrambling out of the pocket, Rogers floated a pass toward Rufus Harvey who was heavily covered.

The miscues under center weren’t all on Rogers in the first half. MSU ran a reverse in which wide receiver Jaden Walley completed a 13-yard pass to Rogers. However, had Walley looked down the field he would’ve seen receiver Justin Robinson wide open for a touchdown.

MSU out-gained Illinois 175-155 but failed to score a touchdown in the opening half.

Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Will Rogers (2) drops back to pass against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the first quarter during the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on Jan. 2, 2023; Tampa, Fla.
Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Will Rogers (2) drops back to pass against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the first quarter during the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on Jan. 2, 2023; Tampa, Fla.

Defense puts on a show

Zach Arnett, who was promoted to replace Leach, maintained the role of defensive coordinator for the bowl game, and it proved worthwhile. The halftime score would’ve been worse than 7-3 had Arnett’s defense not shown up.

The Bulldogs made life rough for Illinois quarterback Tommy DeVito in the early going. MSU was without linebacker Tyrus Wheat who declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, but his replacement, Sherman Timbs, made an immediate impact with a sack on the first play.

Florida native Randy Charlton got in on the fun with a sack in the first quarter. Linebacker Nathaniel Watson added another early in the second quarter.

Defensive lineman Cameron Young and defensive back Emmanuel Forbes have declared for the NFL Draft along with Wheat, but they elected to play. Forbes suffered an injury in the second quarter on an Illinois’ scoring drive but quickly returned to the field.

Caleb Griffin’s 52-yard field goal in the third quarter marked the lone points MSU allowed in the second half.

Justin Robinson shines

With MSU receiver Rara Thomas transferring to Georgia, Mississippi State has some question marks at outside receiver. Robinson provided an answer in Tampa.

Robinson collected seven catches for 81 yards, highlighted by an impressive touchdown catch to tie the game early in the fourth quarter. Robinson transferred to MSU last offseason from Georgia.

Bret Bielema extends game

After MSU’s field goal in the first half, Illinois (8-5) ran the clock out on the ensuring kickoff – or so it appeared. Illinois coach Bret Bielema challenged the play, suggesting time should be put back on the game clock. After review, officials put two seconds on the clock for a final Illinois play.

MSU, like most watching, anticipated a hail mary. Arnett’s unit lined up with three defensive backs at the goal line and only a three-man rush.

Instead, Bielema called a run.

Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @skrajisnik3.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State football honors Mike Leach with ReliaQuest Bowl win