Mississippi State avoided the trap.
We remember 2008. We remember overtime in 2011. We remember a 14-0 deficit in 2015. Louisiana Tech is always a trap. But, on Saturday in Ruston, the Bulldogs evaded the disaster in fine fashion.
State needed a convincing win. It wasn't pretty, finding themselves down 9-0 early in the game with a passing game that was nothing short of anemic. But, things flip turned in an instant.
Nick Fitzgerald got his act together. The defense started dominating. Mississippi State needed some weird things to get it done, such as two touchdowns from defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons and making Louisiana Tech face a 3rd and 93.