How Mississippi State held Minnesota offense, NFL draft prospect Drake Lindsey without a TD
MINNEAPOLIS — Mississippi State football’s big nonconference game at Minnesota looked like it might come down to which team dictated the pace.
The Bulldogs, with coach Jeff Lebby and quarterback Kamario Taylor, wanted to play fast. The Golden Gophers, with coach PJ Fleck, an NFL draft prospect QB in Drake Lindsey and a veteran running back with Darius Taylor, wanted to do the exact opposite.
The Gophers had to ditch their plan though as Mississippi State produced one of its best defensive performances in Lebby’s three seasons.
The Bulldogs, led by new coordinator Zach Arnett, held the Gophers (1-1) without an offensive touchdown in a 38-13 lopsided win at Huntington Bank Stadium on Sept. 12. It was the fewest points MSU (2-0) has allowed to a power-conference opponent since Arkansas in 2023.
“I thought the way we played on third down was a huge reason in winning the game and controlling the entire game, like the game never really being close because of us being able to get off the field on third down,” Lebby said. “So, that was a huge part of it. We’re going to need that as we continue to move forward and with some of the people we’re going to play here really soon.”
MSU had the SEC’s worst scoring defense in 2024 and the second-to-worst last season. But the Bulldogs held Minnesota to 292 yards of offense, including 4-for-13 on third down and 13 total rushing yards. Minnesota’s average distance to go on third downs was 7.7 yards, while MSU’s was 3.6.
The Gophers produced a 10:11 drive on their first possession, but settled for a 44-yard field. Their only other scoring drive resulted in a 41-yard field goal on the last play of the first half. Mississippi State led 28-6 by then.
In the second half, Minnesota’s offense went scoreless with three punts and a turnover on downs on Mississippi State’s 4-yard line. It totaled just 136 yards and minus-1 rushing yards.
Lindsey, considered a Day 2 pick in the 2027 draft, attempted a career-high 48 passes for 279 yards, while Darius Taylor only got six carries for 15 yards. The Mississippi State defense had two sacks and four tackles for loss.
“Our D-line, they played outstanding tonight,” cornerback Jett Jefferson said. “They helped us in the back end. As long as they’re playing well and we’re playing well, we’re going to get the job done.”
Minnesota’s only touchdown came when Kamario Taylor’s fumble was recovered in the end zone.
“All week long, I’ve been preaching to the guys in our player-only meetings that I’m ready to see this defense because I know they gave us problems in fall camp and they gave people problems last week,” Kamario Taylor said. “And I know last week, they probably didn’t even get in their playbook for real. I was very impressed with their look.”
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: How Mississippi State held Minnesota offense, NFL draft prospect Drake Lindsey without a TD
