STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) — Will Rogers threw three touchdown passes before leaving with an injury and Mississippi State held off Western Michigan 41-28 on Saturday.
The Bulldogs (3-3), who lost running back Jo'Quavious Marks in the first half, had 440 yards of offense with 226 through the air and 194 on the ground. Rogers was 16 of 22 for 189 yards before getting hurt in the fourth quarter. Mike Wright got his most snaps of the season and was 7 of 10 for 57 yards with another seven carries for 24 yards.
MSU surrendered more than 400 yards to the Broncos who were short two offensive linemen, quarterback Treyson Bourguet and running back Jalen Buckley. Third string QB Hayden Wolff had no problems for the most part as he was 27 of 35 for 262 yards, three touchdowns and an interception for Western Michigan (2-4).
The Broncos had 413 yards, 297 passing but Shawn Preston Jr.’s interception late in the fourth quarter sealed the win.
Freshman Seth Davis had 10 carries for 65 yards and his first touchdown for the Bulldogs. Eastern Washington transfer receiver Freddie Roberson had five catches for 68 yards and his first TD.
BIG PICTURE
Western Michigan: Lance Taylor’s squad has to be thrilled with the effort playing shorthanded against an SEC team. The remainder of the schedule are all Mid-America Conference games.
Mississippi State: The Bulldogs’ defense continues to struggle under first-year defensive coordinator Matt Brock. It was the fourth time this season that State has surrendered 400 yards or more and this one came against a MAC team playing its third-string running back.
UP NEXT
Western Michigan hosts Miami University on Saturday.
Mississippi State has a bye before going to Arkansas on Oct. 21.
___
AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll
