Post-Game Review: A&M 38, Mississippi State 13

STARKVILLE, Miss. — The 16th-ranked Aggies improved to 7-2 with a dominant, 38-13 college football victory over No. 17 Mississippi State on Saturday.

Once again, A&M got off to a fast start en route to scoring on its first four possessions and cruised to the victory behind an explosive offense that gained more than 600 yards for the third time in four games and for the fifth time this season.

Here are some highlights from the victory:

Rising: Texas A&M’s offense. This is clearly what Coach Kevin Sumlin and Offensive Coordinator Kliff Kingsbury envisioned for the Aggies. A&M has now scored 101 points and rolled up 1,364 yards in total offense in the past two games. The Aggies torched Mississippi State’s defense for 361 rushing yards and 332 passing yards. 

QB Johnny Manziel and RB Ben Malena rushed for more than 100 yards and receivers Ryan Swope and Mike Evans combined for 18 catches for 208 yards. Also, Manziel did not throw an interception for the second straight week. They’re playing with a great amount of confidence heading into next week’s game against Alabama, which leads the nation in total defense.

Falling: Mississippi State. Just two weeks ago the Bulldogs were undefeated and ranked 13th in the AP poll and were 11th in the BCS standings. But they will drop considerably after consecutive blowout losses. Mississippi State fell to 17 in the AP poll and 15th in the BCS standings following a 38-7 loss to Alabama last week. The 38-13 loss to A&M should take the Bulldogs out of the top 20 in both.

Best hit(s): Steven Jenkins. Facing third-and-three from the Mississippi State 42 late in the first quarter, Bulldog quarterback Tyler Russell kept on a run over the left tackle. Although he got past the first wave of the A&M defense, he was blasted by Jenkins. The collision jarred the loose the football which flew backyard two yards. Mississippi State recovered the fumble, but was forced to punt.

Later, on the first series of the second half, Swope leveled a Mississippi State linebacker on the Bulldogs’ sideline to help Manziel reach the 4-yard line on a 23-yard scramble.

Best hands: Evans. It wasn’t nearly the longest catch of the day, but Evans had the most impressive grab. Early in the second half Manziel threw high to Evans near the Mississippi State sideline. Evans reached high with his right hand to pull the ball down and then juggled it twice before securing the catch for a seven-yard gain during the Aggies’ third touchdown drive.

Turning point: Once again, it didn’t take long for the momentum to swing decidedly in A&M’s favor. Mississippi State had picked up a first down on the second play of the game. But on first-and-10, offensive tackle Charles Siddoway was called for a false start. That seemed like a benign infraction, but Damontre Moore sacked quarterback Tyler Russell on the next play. Mississippi State eventually punted and the Aggies went to score on their first four possessions to take a 24-7 halftime lead.

Standing 'O': Moore. Yes, he posted his 11-and-a-halfth sack of the season. However, his most impressive play that will resonate with NFL scouts came at the end of a long gain for Mississippi State. Midway through the third quarter Russell passed to WR Chris Smith, who eluded a tackle and dashed downfield for a 42-yard gain. But it was Moore who made the tackle from behind. Think about that. A defensive end ran down a receiver.