Lebby feels MSU on verge of turning the corner against visiting Arkansas

BY DUDLEY E. DAWSON

It’s been a tough first season at Mississippi State University for head coach Jeff Lebby, but the former Oklahoma offensive coordinator can see success just around the corner for the Bulldogs.

Lebby is hoping that comes this Saturday when Mississippi State (1-6, 0-4) hosts Arkansas (4-3, 2-2) in an 11:45 a.m. clash at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville.

This match up comes after the Bulldogs pushed SEC co-leader Texas A&M before the Aggies took a 34-24 decision.

“I feel it,” Lebby said Monday during his weekly press conference. “Our guys inside the building feel it every single day. It is an incredibly fine line where we have a chance to have a happy locker room if two things are different inside the game. It’s that close.

“Us understanding that with our preparation, dialing in to that piece of that and out-preparing our opponent starting today and finding a way to make that jump. There has been great improvement. We’ve gotten better but we need to get better and need to win. That’s what we’re striving to go do.”

Lebby believes there will be some carryover from the close call with Texas A&M into its game with Arkansas, coming off a 34-10 home loss to LSU.

“There is a little bit of carryover,” Lebby said. “When you watch Arkansas, Pitt (Razorback head coach) Sam Pittman) has done an unbelievable job of getting those guys to find a way to win the close games. As he’s been there, that’s what they’re doing right now.

“Last week for them didn’t go, obviously, the same as it had the weeks before. But finding a way to beat Tennessee at home, finding a way to beat Auburn in a really close game. To me, that’s where they’ve made really big strides.”

Lebby is impressed with what he has seen on video from the Razorbacks.

“You see a physical football team that plays with a ton of effort,” Lebby said. “It’s all over the tape and it’s in all three phases. Another really good SEC opponent that has won two SEC games. They’ll be coming in here Saturday morning and we’ll have to go play for victory.”

It will be the second straight daytime kickoff for the Bulldogs, who had 50,127 fans on hand for the Aggies despite MSU’s woeful record.

“It is a huge deal for us,” Lebby said. “I talked a little bit about it after the game and can’t say it enough. My appreciation for our fanbase and for that stadium to be the way it was on Saturday with us going through the things we’re going through right now, it was incredibly special.

“It was special for our recruits to see our fanbase create so much noise and show support for us in a time where things haven’t been perfect by any stretch.

“That will be a big thing for us Saturday. We will have a beautiful day for it and have a great SEC opponent coming to town and we need a great environment.”

Mississippi State’s defense was lit up early, including in a 41-17 home loss to Toledo, but has picked off 5 interceptions in its last three games.

Arkansas’ three losses have come in large part due to a combined nine turnovers.

“That’s been a huge deal,” Lebby said. “We’ve got to continue to play complimentary football. The first pick we get, we get great field position and we’re not able to score a touchdown. That has to happen for us and we did take advantage of it in the second half.

“We did have a couple of opportunities to make huge plays on that first drive of the second half and you got a chance to change momentum and swing the game. Got to continue to do that and play with great eyes and great discipline to give us a chance. When we have a chance to go make it, go make it.”

MSU freshman quarterback Michael Van Buren has stepped in for injured Baylor transfer senior Blake Shapen and has competed 61 of 114 passes for 792 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions.

“With Mike, having him in camp and just being able to see exactly what we saw on tape and person was the biggest thing for me,” Lebby said. “When we had him in camp, he was a guy that was incredibly smooth, really accurate, had a clean release and a guy I thought had really good anticipation.

“As you watch the tape and then get to watch him in person and evaluate him in person, those things matched up. I thought he had an incredible future ahead of him.”

Both quarterbacks have leaned heavily on wide receiver Kevin Coleman, who has 44 catches for 536 yards and 7 touchdowns this season.

“I think we’re always trying to find the mismatch,” Lebby said. “We’re always trying to find a way to put the ball in someone’s hands that has continued to be really productive and create some predictable outcomes. I think showcasing a player matters.

“When you have the ability to lean on a guy that has continued to make plays for you, you got to find ways to keep getting him the ball.

“The last thing I want is to look up Saturday afternoon after a game and come out of it and (Coleman) has two targets. That’s not what it’s supposed to look like and I think that’s another reason it’s been that way.”

Photo courtesy of Mississippi State athletics