Mississippi State hopes to resolve its issues with the run game on both sides of the ball Saturday when it hosts Toledo in a nonconference game in Starkville, Miss.
The Bulldogs (1-1) gave up 346 rushing yards in a 30-23 loss last weekend at Arizona State, including 262 to Cam Skattebo. It was their most rushing yards surrendered in a game since 2016. In contrast, Mississippi State mustered only 24 yards on 27 carries.
Bulldogs coach Jeff Lebby said Monday that fixing the offensive run game isn’t just about the running backs.
“You look at the running backs, the offensive line, the decision making from a quarterback standpoint when he should pull the ball or when he should hand the ball, how we’re blocking the perimeter,” Lebby said. “… Just way too many inconsistencies. All day long in the run game, we had the right people, but fundamentally we did not play clean.”
Defensively, Lebby said it all comes down to tackling.
“It’s one story, and it’s tackling,” Lebby said. “Twenty-five missed tackles, over 250 yards after contact. I think that was the frustrating part for our guys is that when they watched the tape, there were plenty of times where we were in position, and we got to get the guy on the ground.”
The Rockets (2-0) had their own offensive struggles in a 38-23 win over Massachusetts.
Toledo had just 102 total yards until late in the third quarter before finishing with 258. Tucker Gleason completed only 8 of 23 passes and the Rockets ran for 83 yards on 22 carries.
“We’ve got a massive opponent in Mississippi State this weekend, going to the SEC” said Toledo coach Jason Candle. “I know it will be a great crowd, great environment and I know these kids in this meeting room here are looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead.”
Lebby said the Bulldogs cannot afford to look ahead to their Southeastern Conference opener against Florida on Sept. 21.
“Their program is incredibly established and they’ve had a ton of success,” Lebby said of Toledo. “For them to be able to come down here Saturday night, it will be no big deal for their program.”
–Field Level Media