Starkville Daily News

MSU moves on to another tough task with Auburn

- By JOEL COLEMAN sports@starkville­dailynews.com

Mississipp­i State quarterbac­k Nick Fitzgerald has his blinders on.

Just one week after MSU was dominated 31-3 by Georgia, State takes to the field today in Auburn for a 5 p.m. game looking to get back on track.

In getting ready for today, Fitzgerald said he and his teammates have blocked out any negativity directed at them as a result of last week's disappoint­ing loss.

“Don't look too much into what people say,” Fitzgerald said. “Outside of (our) facility, it doesn't really matter. In terms of a loss, (the Georgia game) was a big loss. It was embarrassi­ng. We kind of got our butts kicked in every facet of the game. We came into the locker room after that and you have to have a really short memory.”

The No. 24 Bulldogs (3-1, 1-1) hope to have better luck today against the No. 13 Tigers (3-1, 1-0) and wash away any remaining sting from last week.

Just like at Georgia though, MSU faces a tall task. State was able to put up just three points and 280 yards of total offense last week against Georgia and Auburn's defense is just as tough, if not even better.

Auburn ranks fourth nationally in total defense and seventh in scoring defense. The Tigers are surrenderi­ng just over 236 yards and 11.3 points per game.

“They have a lot of talent and a lot of speed with a lot of great players,” Mississipp­i State head coach

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 ?? (Photo by Jason Cleveland, SDN) ?? Auburn running back Kamryn Pettway (36) run all over the Mississipp­i State defense last season.
(Photo by Jason Cleveland, SDN) Auburn running back Kamryn Pettway (36) run all over the Mississipp­i State defense last season.

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