MSU knocks off Louisiana Tech nine years after losing in Ruston

RUSTON, La. – A mere nine years ago, Mississippi State walked off the field at Louisiana Tech with a loss in its opening game of the season.

That spelled the beginning of the end for head coach Sylvester Croom, who was replaced by Dan Mullen by the end of the calendar year.

Mullen brought things full circle on Saturday night when his Bulldogs soundly redeemed themselves.

Led by another dominating defensive effort from Todd Grantham's unit, MSU used 36-consecutive first half points and cruised to a 2-0 start with its 57-21 victory.

MSU's defense was tested for the first time under Grantham and it passed with flying colors. The group blocked two kicks, forced three fumbles, recovered two of them and intercepted a pass. It was the catalyst in overcoming a slow start by quarterback Nick Fitzgerald and the offense.

“The defense did my job about half the night for me,” Fitzgerald said. “I thanked them very much. They're a very, very talented defense.”

The home Bulldogs came out with the momentum. On its opening possession, LA Tech's Marcus Gains slipped by the secondary and raced 58 yards inside the 10-yard line, but State's defense stood tall and forced a field goal for the 3-0 deficit.

LA Tech extended that lead shortly after, however, as Fitzgerald's pass sailed and was intercepted and returned to the 2-yard line. LA Tech scored two plays later and it was 9-0.

The blocked extra point by Jeffery Simmons was foreshadowing of what was to come from the defense from there.

“You're on the road, down 9-0 and Todd does a fantastic job,” Mullen said. “He did a great job just calming the guys down. We came out and made a bunch of plays after that.”

A field goal cut into that lead by Tucker Day to make it 9-3, but Simmons was back again on the next possession for another blocked kick and he recovered it in the end zone making it 10-9.

“I'm not going to say we were down or anything or that we were deflated, but (the blocked punt) was an extra jolt,” Fitzgerald said. It really woke us up and made us realize it's time to go out there and score some points.”

An interception by Mark McLaurin and strip sack from Gerri Green led to

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