Mississippi State, Arnett seek 7th consecutive opening win. Southeastern Louisiana is thinking upset

2023-09-01 02:17

Former defensive coordinator Zach Arnett begins his first full season as Mississippi State coach after winning his debut in the ReliaQuest Bowl following the sudden death of Mike Leach last December

Southeastern Louisiana at Mississippi State, Saturday, 4 p.m. ET (SEC)

Line: No line.

Series: Mississippi State leads 1-0.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

Southeastern Louisiana seeks its first win over an FBS opponent in 29 tries since football returned in 2003. Mississippi State aims for its seventh consecutive season-opening victory after helping first-year coach Zach Arnett debut with a ReliaQuest Bowl win last December following the sudden death of Mike Leach.

KEY MATCHUP

Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers vs. SLU's defense. Rogers has passed for 10,689 career yards and 82 touchdowns and set 29 school records under Leach’s Air Raid scheme. He’ll run Kevin Barbay’s pro-style scheme now with a trio of veteran receivers including Lideatrick Griffin (502 yards), Jaden Walley (348) and Justin Robinson (326) as options. The Lions feature two All-Southland Conference first-team selections in linebacker Donte’ Daniels (87 tackles) and defensive end Arlen Williams (37). SLU held opponents to 239 yards passing per game last season but faces a squad that averaged 311 per contest with Rogers.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

SLU quarterback Zach Clement transferred from Northwestern State after throwing for 3,713 yards and 25 TDs with 18 interceptions. He's an All-Southland Conference preseason first-team selection after making the second team last fall.

Mississippi State linebackers Jett Johnson and Nathaniel Watson led the SEC with 115 and 113 tackles, respectively. Watson tied for the team lead with six sacks and returned an interception 51 yards. Johnson had two sacks and 67 assists.

FACTS AND FIGURES

MSU won the inaugural matchup 34-10 in 2008. ... The Lions are preseason favorites in polling by Southland Conference coaches and media. ... SLU is 41-28-3 in season openers. ... The Lions feature 17 All-SLC preseason selections including offensive linemen John Allen, Jhy Orgeron and Jalen Bell on the first team. ... MSU will play its first three games at home with Arizona and No. 5 LSU following the next two weeks. ... The Bulldogs have registered a takeaway in five consecutive games and had at least one in 12 of 13 contests. ... Receiver Jo’Quavious Marks has caught a pass in all 36 games. ... Decamerion Richardson led SEC cornerbacks with 85 stops last season.

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AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll