State’s last win was nearly two months ago, but it’s tough to remember a time when a 6 loss ballclub had this type of optimistic energy surrounding it. I’ve felt worse energy around teams above .500 than what is currently taking place in Starkville. Michael Van Buren passed for nearly 700 yards and 7 tuds in his first 3 starts (against what is now 3 top 15 conference opponents). Van Buren has, in fact, thrown more scores than any SEC quarterback this month. On top of that, the boys are playing hard on both sides of the ball, which says everything about leadership within the team.
With the Hogs and their pig sooie making their way into Starkville this weekend, a banged up team full of young guns and newcomers have as good a shot at sticking one in the win column as one could ask for.
The Dawgs didn’t make this easy to start off. Arkansas effectively got spotted an early 7 off a strip sack of Van Buren. With the ball at the State 23, Arkansas only needed 3 plays to punch the early ticket, highlighted by a move by the Arkansas quarterback that more resembled a crossover on the basketball court. Only 2 mins in and State finds themselves in the hole 7-0…