Mississippi State hits the road for the first time this year. Rich Cirminiello gives five Arizona State players the Bulldogs must control to win in Tempe Saturday.
This first-ever meeting between these schools is a pivotal matchup for two programs and their young head coaches. The Jeff Lebby era in Starkville began with a thumping of Eastern Kentucky, while 34-year-old Kenny Dillingham kicked off Year 2 at Arizona State with an impressive rout of Wyoming.
Now, the level of competition is going way up for both, so a win here could be a springboard for the rest of the month. Mississippi State will need to neutralize these five Sun Devils, in particular, to return to Starkville unbeaten.Elliott was a key portal addition this offseason for Dillingham. Last year at New Mexico State, he made 111 tackles to earn Second Team All-C-USA.
Cameron Skattebo, ASU running back, punter, and now quarterback, connects with Elijhah Badger for a touchdown pass… the man can really do it all. Leavitt is Dillingham's new quarterback after beating out veterans Jeff Sims and Trenton Bourguet. The redshirt freshman transfer from Michigan State was sharp in his Sun Devil debut, accounting for 305 yards and completing 14-of-22 for 258 yards, two TDs and no turnovers.Leavitt feels the pressure off the edge, steps up in the pocket, keeps his eyes down field and hits the check down. He didn’t look like a redshirt freshman.
Keeping Smith away from Blake Shapen will be one of Mississippi State's top priorities Saturday night. Smith is a hard-charging former five-star Oklahoma Sooner with backfield-wrecking potential. After flashing in his Sun Devil debut last year, he's poised for stardom in 2024.
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