It appeared Mississippi State was about to avoid a complete disaster in its season opener at home against South Alabama, but a short field goal attempt as time expired clanged off the left upright of the goal post and South Alabama began celebrating on their field. South Alabama upset the Bulldogs of the SEC, 21-20, despite nearly letting it slip through their fingers.
South Alabama took a 21-20 lead when Gerald Everett hauled in a four-yard pass from Dallas Davis with 57 seconds to play. Earlier in the fourth quarter, the Jaguars pulled to within one score following a nine-play, 99-yard dirive. The 21-20 lead was South Alabama’s first of the game, but kicking the ensuing kickoff out of bounds gave Mississippi State a chance to work on a shorter field, needing just a field goal for the win.
Mississippi State did a good job of working their way down the field and got down to the 11-yard line to set up what was essentially the final play of the game (there was actually one play to be run by South Alabama after the missed field goal). It should have been easy for Westin Graves from just 28 yards. But sadly, it was not.
https://vine.co/v/5iEdWhPa0UU
On the previous play before the missed field goal attempt, Mississippi State’s Damian Williams ran forward for a six-yard gain as he tried to put the ball in the desired spot for his kicker, at least that should be the assumption given the situation. However, as he was being tackled, the pile pushed the ball closer to the left hash mark. Had the kick been executed the same way it was on the final play, one has to wonder if the ball being spotted just slightly to the right on the field would have changed the outcome.
Mississippi State’s loss was the second of the early afternoon slate for the SEC. The Missouri Tigers took a road loss at West Virginia. Two nights ago, Tennessee needed to pick up a home win in overtime against Appalachian State. Still plenty of time to turn the momentum around in the SEC, but Mississippi State has some work to do of their own.
