can't score, can't win........................genius!

[duck_nutt]

Can't score, can't win

Bulldogs' bad start worst in 100-plus years

By Michael Wallace
mwallace@clarionledger.com



Greg Jenson/The Clarion-Ledger

Omarr Connor and the Mississippi State offense weren't able to score a point for the second straight weekend in a 34-0 loss to Auburn.

STARKVILLE — For the second straight week, Mississippi State's defense played well enough to keep the team in the game while waiting for the offense to show up.

And for the second week in a row, the Bulldogs' defense was stood up and left stranded.

The next time MSU's offense scores a point this season will be the first time it scores a point this season. The Bulldogs' early season offensive drought was extended to eight quarters with Saturday's 34-0 loss to No. 4 Auburn in front of a crowd of 43,640 at Scott Field.

Saturday's setback comes on the heels of MSU's 15-0 home loss to South Carolina 10 days earlier in the season opener.

The offensive woes have reached historical proportions. The back-to-back blankings mark the first time MSU (0-2, 0-2 SEC) has opened with two shutout losses since '04.

Not 2004. Make that 1904.

The lack of execution was already a sore subject for MSU coach Sylvester Croom last week. It apparently grew more painful when he met with the media after Saturday's game.

"I could care less about what anyone thinks that we're doing, OK," Croom said. "I'm tired of all the questions about the offense. You think I'm excited about two shutouts in a row? You think I'm excited about losing these two football games - as hard as our team is working, as much work as I'm putting in? I'm committed to trying to turn this program around."

First, Croom faces the task of getting his offense going in the right direction. Auburn (2-0, 1-0) needed little help scoring, but got plenty from an MSU.

The Tigers converted three MSU turnovers - two fumbles and an interception - into 13 points. Another miscue - running back Derek Ambrose's fumble on third down - led to a shanked punt that saw Auburn take over at the MSU 34 in the first quarter.

Auburn quarterback Brandon Cox needed just five plays to set up his 6-yard touchdown pass to tight end Gabe McKenzie to take a 7-0 lead.

Things went downhill from there for the Bulldogs, whose two trips into Auburn territory ended with an interception from quarterback Tray Rutland and an Adam Carlson missed field goal.

"We gave them some opportunities," Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said. "It's hard in the SEC to get a shutout."

MSU had a retooled offensive line and a new quarterback but managed only 161 yards for the second straight game.

"That's the tough part," said Rutland, who was 12 for 25 with an interception and two fumbles. "We get better all week at practice and still get zero (points)."

Auburn struggled to run but got 249 passing yards and 2 TDs from Cox.

MSU aims to end its scoreless streak Saturday against Tulane. Asked if his team would get into the end zone, receiver Omarr Conner said: "Totally.

"Two games don't dictate the entire season," he said. "We just have to put it together and catch up to our defense."