With Mike Leach as inspiration, Mississippi State defeats Illinois in ReliaQuest Bowl

TAMPA, Fla. — The drive started just in front of the pirate ship at Raymond James Stadium. On the deck, a photo of Mike Leach stood while surrounded by flowers.

On the field, Mississippi State football needed to put together a two-minute drive to clinch a win against Illinois in the ReliaQuest Bowl. It had to be put together one play at a time and with Leach's mantra in mind.

Do your job. Play the next play. Swing your sword.

It started with a 19-yard completion to Lideatrick Griffin. It ended with a 27-yard field goal by Massimo Biscardi. The nine-play drive ended with Mississippi State 13, Illinois 10. A defensive touchdown  by the Bulldogs on a wild final play made the final score 19-10.

The victory gave Mississippi State its first nine-win seasons since 2017, capped by a win in a state Leach loved.

If Monday was an audition for Steve Spurrier Jr. as offensive coordinator, it got off to a poor start. Mississippi State waited until the final 10 seconds of the first half to get on the board with a field goal.

That was partly due to spotty play by quarterback Will Rogers. The Bulldogs’ best first half drive came late in the first quarter and into the second. Mississippi got to goal-to-go before Rogers threw an interception on the goal line.

His second interception on the ensuing drive left no debate. It was on Rogers. While scrambling out of the pocket, Rogers floated a pass toward Rufus Harvey who was heavily covered.

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The miscues under center weren’t all on Rogers in the first half. Mississippi State ran a reverse in which wide receiver Jaden Walley completed a 13-yard pass to Rogers. However, had Walley looked down the field he would’ve seen fellow receiver Justin Robinson wide open for a touchdown.

The Bulldogs out-gained Illinois 175-155 but failed to score a touchdown in the opening half and trailed 7-3

Will Arnett, promoted to replace Leach after his death, maintained the role of defensive coordinator for the bowl game, and it proved worthwhile. The halftime score would’ve been worse had Arnett’s defense not shown up.

The Bulldogs made life rough for Illinois quarterback Tommy DeVito in the early going. Mississippi State was without linebacker Tyrus Wheat who declared for the 2023 NFL draft, but his replacement (Sherman Timbs) made an immediate impact with a sack on the first play.

Florida native Randy Charlton got in on the fun with a sack in the first quarter. Linebacker Nathaniel Watson added another early in the second quarter.

Defensive lineman Cameron Young and defensive back Emmanuel Forbes have declared for the draft along with Wheat, but they elected to play. Forbes suffered an injury in the second quarter on Illinois’ scoring drive but quickly returned to the field.

Caleb Griffin’s 52-yard field goal in the third quarter marked the lone points Mississippi State allowed in the second half.

With Mississippi State receiver Rara Thomas transferring to Georgia, Mississippi State has some question marks at outside receiver. Justin Robinson provided an answer in Tampa.

Robinson collected seven catches for 81 yards, highlighted by an impressive touchdown catch to tie the game early in the fourth quarter. Robinson transferred to MSU last offseason from Georgia.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mississippi State honors Mike Leach in Illinois win in ReliaQuest Bowl