Big plays lead Miss. State over Tulsa, 28-26

Mississippi State scored touchdowns to open both halves and held off a pesky Tulsa team to win the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl, 28-26, Thursday.

A limited capacity of 9,000 braved a cold drizzle and 37-degree temperatures at Amon G. Carter Stadium on the campus of TCU.

The weather didn’t seem to hamper the players.

Jo’quavious Marks scored on a 28-yard run on the Bulldogs’ first possession after Lideatrick Griffin’s 53-yard return on the opening kick set Mississippi State up at the Tulsa 39.

Tulsa closed to within 7-6 by halftime on Zack Long’s field goals of 27 and 33 yards.

The Bulldogs opened the second half just like the first, by driving for a quick touchdown. Mississippi State drove 64 yards on nine plays, capped by Will Rogers’ 13-yard scoring run to give the Bulldogs a 14-6 lead.

Tulsa came right back with a drive of its own, however, and pulled to within 14-13 on Deneric Prince’s 14-yard scoring run.

The rain picked up after the half — along with some fog — which helped both teams on the ground. Defensive players struggled to make up for the advantage held by running backs, who could shed potential tacklers with cuts on the wet turf.

Griffin took advantage of the slick turf and a wall of blockers to return the ensuing kick 44 yards to again set up the Bulldogs in Tulsa territory. At first, it appeared Griffin returned the kick for a touchdown but officials determined he stepped out of bounds at the Tulsa 39.

But the drive fizzled as Tulsa’s defense stuffed Dillon Johnson for a two-yard loss on fourthand-3. A few moments later, however, Emmanuel Forbes stepped in front of a long Zack Smith pass down field and returned it 90 yards after cutting back towards the middle of the field for a touchdown and 21-13 lead. It’s the longest interception return in Armed Forces Bowl history.

Tulsa took advantage of a shanked Mississippi State punt, which Sherman Tibbs caught at the Bulldogs’ 32. Cory Taylor II capped a nine-play drive with a five-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. Tulsa failed on a two-point conversion pass attempt and trailed 21-19.

Griffin’s 13-yard touchdown catch from

Will Rogers with 8:01 remaining put MSU up 2819 and cemented Griffin as the game’s MVP.

He finished with a gamehigh 155 all-purpose yards, including 138 on kick returns, and a touchdown.

Tulsa was threatening with the ball on the Bulldogs’ 6 with just over three minutes remaining but Tyrus Wheat intercepted Smith at the 3-yard line to preserve the nine-point lead.

The Golden Hurricane kept coming, though.

Smith hit Kelyon Stokes in the back of the end zone for a score to pull Tulsa to within 28-26 with 1:23 remaining.

MSU recovered Tulsa’s onside kick attempt to ice the win.

his face.

“I think he’s always been comfortable in his skin since I’ve known him,” Venables said. “He’s the same exact guy I thought he was when I saw him from afar. He’s just very genuine, real, authentic, raw, emotional, speaks from the heart, true to himself, true to his values.”

Venables added, “There is nobody on this earth that I have more respect for. … That doesn’t mean we have to agree with everything. He doesn’t expect that.”

Or maybe he does? It is hard to know what is cooking behind that Gomer Pyle smile.