Vanderbilt Beats Mississippi State 25-23 for First SEC Win

Overview

• Vanderbilt won 25-23 in Starkville on Saturday to improve to 4-5 overall and 1-5 in the SEC while Mississippi State fell to 4-5 and 2-5.
• The Commodores led 16-0 at halftime, then held off a Bulldogs rally that included two touchdowns in 52 seconds early in the third quarter.
• Mississippi State reached Vanderbilt’s 8-yard line late in the fourth but settled for a field goal, and a subsequent Bulldogs touchdown failed on a two-point conversion attempt.
• Key plays included Jordan Matthews’ first-half interception, a forced fumble by Tyshun Willis returned for a score by Will Whitson, Sanfrisco Magee’s long touchdown catches, and Vanderbilt kicker Brock Taylor making all of his field-goal attempts.
• The result shifts short-term momentum for both programs: Vanderbilt gets a rare SEC win and a lift before facing No. 5 Alabama, while Mississippi State’s offensive struggles without Kamario Taylor remain a concern as it prepares to host Auburn.