MSU-Memphis Post-Game Notes

Memphis-Mississippi State post-game notes.

Series/Attendance Notes

MSU now leads the series with Memphis 31-11...State has won the last 10 games between the teams, the third-longest streak against a single opponent that MSU has ever had.

Today's crowd of 45,329 was the second-largest Homecoming crowd in MSU history, behind last year's total of 49,546 vs. Troy State.

Team Notes

MSU is now 44-18-3 in Homecoming games and has won nine of its last 10 such contests.

The Bulldogs have now won four straight games in October.

MSU is now 43-12 (.782) under Jackie Sherrill when scoring 25 or more points, 27-6 (.818) since 1996...The Dogs are just 31-57-2 (.356) during that same span when they haven't posted 25 or more points.

Since 1994, MSU is now 38-8 (.826) when recording more takeaways than its opponents...The 'Dogs are just 8-33 (.195) during the same span when posting fewer takeaways.

Individual Notes

With his 245 yards passing today, Kevin Fant has now had 11 career 200-yard games, tying for the most in school history...His two touchdown throws in the game moved into a tie for third at MSU all-time with 31, matching Don Smith (31; 1983-86)...Those two TD passes also moved him into fifth place on State's single-season TD list with 12.

Justin Jenkins' three pass receptions in the game moved him into fifth place all-time at State with 117 catches, surpassing Mardye McDole (116; 1977-80.)

Fred Reid's 100-yard kickoff return in the second quarter tied for the longest kickoff return in school history...The other 100-yarder was by Glen Young vs. LSU in 1980...It was also MSU's first kickoff return for a score since Kevin Prentiss went 90 yards vs. South Carolina in 1998.

TE Aaron Lumpkin recorded his first two career touchdowns in the first quarter...Those two scores also marked the first time a tight end had caught two touchdowns in a game during the Jackie Sherrill era.

Nick Turner totaled 113 yards of all-purpose yardage today (26 rushing, 1PR, 86 KOR).

Jerious Norwood has now rushed for 198 yards on 44 carries and a score in the last two games.

Darnell Jones had three receptions for 55 yards in the game, both marks career bests.

Slovakia Griffith's interception and sack in the game were both career firsts.

Robert Wallis averaged 47.9 yards on seven punts in the game, three that went 50-plus yards, and two that landed inside the 20-yard line.

With today's win, head coach Jackie Sherrill moved into a tie for 28th place on the NCAA Division I-A, all-time wins list...Sherrill, who now has 180 career victories in his 26 seasons, tied Gil Dobie (180; 33 seasons) and Carl Snavely (180; 32 seasons).

DT: #91 Lennie Day started in place of #56 Kamau Jackson.

DE: #98 Deljuan Robinson started in place of #36 Willie Evans.

SS: #34 Jeramie Johnson started in place of #22 Darren Williams.

Opponent Notes

Memphis' 568 yards of total offense in the game were the most posted against the Bulldogs since Florida had 640 in 2001 in Gainesville.

Danny Wimprine's 398 yards passing in the game were the most by an opposing QB since South Carolina's Steve Taneyhill went for 473 against the Bulldogs in 1995 in Starkville...Wimprine's 60 pass attempts were the most vs. MSU since Tim Couch had 61 throws in 1997...Wimprine's 32 completions were the most since Couch connected on 35 aerials vs. MSU in '98.

Junior defensive end David McNair started his first game as a Tiger today versus Mississippi State. McNair replaced Treveco Lucas who suffered an ankle injury against UAB last weekend. Sophomore cornerback O. C. Collins started in place of the injured Lee Hayes. Hayes suffered a broken ankle in the UAB game and will be lost for the season.

Mississippi State's 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the second quarter was the first given up by the Tigers' special teams since the 1992 season when Arkansas' Oscar Malone returned a kick for a score. Malone's return was 99 yards.

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Gene Swindoll is the owner of Gene's Page, the unofficial source for Mississippi State sports on the internet. The URL for Gene's Page is http://mississippistate.theinsiders.com. You can contact him by emailing .