Jeff Lebby’s playcalling sat at the center of Mississippi State’s 25-23 loss to Vanderbilt on Saturday night, a defeat that sent Homecoming in Starkville in a very different direction.
The Bulldogs had chances, but Lebby’s choices shaped the way the game played out. Mississippi State led 14-0 in the first half, then found itself unable to turn that fast start into a finished product. The loss was the first to Vanderbilt in Starkville since 1971.
Lebby said he had A.J. Swann in position to succeed, but the offense never fully took advantage.
In the first half, there were multiple instances where Swann was not on the same page as his teammates. That included, but was not limited to, a fourth and 1 on the first drive of the game, an intentional grounding and an interception that led to a ’Dandy field goal.
“We’ve got to find ways to do a great job to protect him, to give him a chance to go do it,” Lebby said. “But it’s everybody involved, and starting with me.”
With about six minutes left in the game and the team down by five, the Bulldogs had first and goal at the eight-yard line. The three plays that followed were a jet sweep to Anthony Evans that led to a 3-yard loss, an incomplete pass to Will Hill and a two-yard pass to Sam West. State ultimately settled for a field goal.
“I’ve got to coach him better to do what I’m wanting him to do because never in a million years did I think the ball would go there,” Lebby said. “And again, that’s not A.J.
That’s me not coaching him well enough. I’ve got to get him to do what I want him to do, especially in those situations to be able to score a touchdown and not kick a field goal.”
The missed opportunity loomed even larger after Sanfrisco Magee’s touchdown with 13 seconds left cut the margin to two. The ensuing conversion attempt ended with Swann throwing the ball out of the back of the end zone.
Mississippi State has now lost three straight and has just three games left to earn two wins and turn things around.
“I think, because of how we’re playing defensively, that gives us an opportunity to win, and if we’ll continue to do what we’re doing, continue to build on that, we’ll have the opportunity to go win next Saturday,” Lebby said. “We’ve got a great challenge.
I think we all understand that. But defensively, if we will continue to do what we’re doing, continue to build on that, then we’ll be in football games and have a chance to go win.”
The Bulldogs’ next chance comes Saturday against No. 12 Auburn at 11 a.m. The game will be televised on the SEC Network.
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