Florida Defeats Mississippi State 45-28 in SEC Contest

Mississippi State's football team suffered its third consecutive loss, falling to Florida 45-28 in their SEC opener. Florida quarterback Graham Mertz excelled, completing 19 of 21 passes for 201 yards and three touchdowns, while Mississippi State's defense struggled, allowing a combined 503 yards and five touchdowns in the red zone. Despite a solid rushing performance with 240 yards on the ground, the Bulldogs could not overcome their defensive shortcomings. Head coach Jeff Lebby expressed frustration with the team's performance and emphasized the need for improvement, particularly on first and second downs to force third-and-long situations. As they prepare for upcoming games against top-ranked Texas and Georgia, Lebby remains optimistic about his team's potential to rebound from their rough start. Mississippi State's defense faces significant challenges, having allowed over 40 points in consecutive games, raising concerns about future performances.