2014 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team

The 2014 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team represented Mississippi State University in the 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Dan Mullen, who was in his sixth season with Mississippi State. The Bulldogs played their home games at the newly expanded and renovated Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi and competed in the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

2014 Mississippi State Bulldogs football
Orange Bowl, L 34–49 vs. Georgia Tech
Conference	Southeastern Conference
Division	Western Division
Ranking
Coaches	No. 12
AP	No. 11
Record	10–3 (6–2 SEC)
Head coach	Dan Mullen (6th season)
Co-offensive coordinators	Billy Gonzales (1st season) John Hevesy (1st season)
Offensive scheme	Spread option
Defensive coordinator	Geoff Collins (4th season)
Base defense	4–3
Home stadium	Davis Wade Stadium
Seasons ← 2013 2015 →

2014 Southeastern Conference football standings

v t e	Conf.							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
Eastern Division
No. 14 Missouri x		7	–	1					11	–	3
No. 9 Georgia		6	–	2					10	–	3
Florida		4	–	4					7	–	5
Tennessee		3	–	5					7	–	6
South Carolina		3	–	5					7	–	6
Kentucky		2	–	6					5	–	7
Vanderbilt		0	–	8					3	–	9
Western Division
No. 4 Alabama x$^		7	–	1					12	–	2
No. 11 Mississippi State		6	–	2					10	–	3
No. 17 Ole Miss *		5	–	3					9	–	4
No. 22 Auburn		4	–	4					8	–	5
LSU *		4	–	4					8	–	5
Texas A&M		3	–	5					8	–	5
Arkansas		2	–	6					7	–	6
Championship: Alabama 42, Missouri 13
^ – College Football Playoff participant $ – Conference champion x – Division champion/co-champions * LSU and Ole Miss vacated all wins (except for Ole Miss' win over Presbyterian) due to NCAA violations. Rankings from AP Poll

The 2014 season was one of the most successful seasons in Mississippi State's 110-year football history. In mid-October, they shot to #1 in the polls for the first time in school history, and the highest that any FBS team in Mississippi had been ranked at that late date in the season in half a century. They ultimately finished 10–3, the third 10-win season in school history. They netted a berth in the Orange Bowl, the second major-bowl appearance in school history, where they were defeated by Georgia Tech.

Before the season

Departing players

Key losses for the Bulldogs included:

• Denico Autry, starting defensive end and current member of the Tennessee Titans^[1]
• Gabe Jackson, offensive guard who was selected by the Raiders in the third round of the 2014 NFL draft
• LaDarius Perkins, starting running back and fifth on the Bulldogs' career leaderboard with 2,554 rushing yards
• Tyler Russell, whose 5,441 passing yards ranked third in school history at the time
• Deontae Skinner, starting linebacker
• Nickoe Whitley, a four-year starter at safety with 15 career interceptions and 2 key late-game forced fumbles to seal games in 2013

Preseason prognostication

The Bulldogs were picked to finish 5th in the SEC West by a vote of 229 media writers at the 2014 SEC Media Days,^[2] while Athlon Sports^[3] and NBC Sports^[4] both picked the Bulldogs to come in sixth.

Roster and staff

2014 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class WR 1 De'Runnya Wilson So WR 4 Jameon Lewis Sr WR 5 Fred Brown So TE 6 Malcolm Johnson Sr RB 7 Nick Griffin Sr WR 8 Fred Ross So QB 10 Josiah Phillips  Fr RB 10 Brandon Holloway So QB 11 Damian Williams So WR 12 Robert Johnson Sr RB 13 Josh Robinson Jr QB 14 Elijah Staley  Fr QB 15 Dak Prescott Jr WR 16 Joe Morrow Jr QB 17 Nick Fitzgerald  Fr TE 18 Brandon Hill Sr ATH 19 Zak Neary  Fr TE 19 Gus Walley So RB 27 Aeris Williams  Fr RB 32 Ashton Shumpert So ATH 33 Boderick Oliver Fr RB 33 Dontavian Lee  Fr WR 35 Gabe Myles Fr RB 37 Bennie Braswell III Fr TE 53 Hunter Bradley So ATH 54 Lawrence Brown  So OL 56 Nick Proby Jr OL 58 Justin Senior So OL 59 Archie Muniz Sr OL 60 Jamaal Clayborn So OL 61 Deion Calhoun  Fr OL 62 Devon Desper So OL 63 Dillon Day Sr OL 64 Jocquell Johnson  Jr OL 66 Ben Beckwith Sr OL 70 Justin Malone Jr OL 71 Cole Carter So OL 73 Elgton Jenkins  Fr OL 74 Kent Flowers Fr OL 75 Blaine Clausell Sr OL 76 Jake Thomas Fr OL 77 Rufus Warren Jr OL 78 Damien Robinson   Sr OL 79 Ronald Cochran  Fr WR 80 Shelby Christy Fr WR 81 Jamoral Graham Fr WR 83 Kareem Vance, Jr. Fr TE 84 Darrion Hutcherson Jr TE 85 Rashun Dixon Fr WR 86 Jesse Jackson  Fr TE 87 B.J. Hammond Fr TE 88 Aaron Hamaker  Fr	Defense Pos. # Name Class DB 2 Will Redmond Jr DB 3 Jay Hughes Sr LB 4 Gerri Green  Fr DB 5 Jamerson Love Sr DB 9 Justin Cox Sr DB 11 Kivon Coman So DB 13 Cedric Jiles  So LB 14 Zach Jackson Jr DB 17 Deontay Evans So DB 18 Tyrell Miller Jr DB 20 Brandon Bryant  Fr LB 22 Matthew Wells Sr DB 23 Taveze Calhoun Jr DB 24 Chris Rayford  Fr DB 25 Jahmere Irvin-Sills Fr DB 26 Kendrick Market Jr LB 28 DeAndre Ward So LB 29 Quadry Antoine So ATH 30 Brandon Wells Fr DB 31 Tolando Cleveland So DB 32 Brandon Davis So DL 34 Cory Thomas  Fr LB 39 Richie Brown So LB 42 Beniquez Brown So LB 44 Christian Holmes Sr LB 45 J. T. Gray Fr LB 46 Dezmond Harris Fr DL 47 A.J. Jefferson So DL 48 Ryan Brown Jr DL 49 Torrey Dale So LB 50 Benardrick McKinney Jr LB 51 Kelan Chairs  Fr DL 57 Will Coleman Jr DL 67 Rodney Lacy So DL 88 Nick James So DL 90 Grant Harris  Fr DL 91 Preston Smith Sr DL 92 Kaleb Eulls Sr DL 93 P.J. Jones Sr DL 94 Nelson Adams So DL 95 Braxton Hoyett  Fr DL 96 Chris Jones So DL 98 Curtis Virges Sr DL 99 John Harris Jr	Special teams Pos. # Name Class K 35 Westin Graves Fr LS 38 Winston Chapman Jr K/P 40 Devon Bell Jr K 41 Evan Sobiesk So K/P 43 Logan Cooke Fr	Head coach Dan Mullen – 6th year Coordinators/assistant coaches Billy Gonzales (Co-OC/Wide Receivers) – 2nd year John Hevesy (Co-OC/Offensive Linemen) – 6th year Brian Johnson (Quarterbacks) – 1st year Greg Knox (Running backs) – 6th year Scott Sallach (Tight ends) – 6th year Geoff Collins (DC/Linebackers) – 4th year Tony Hughes (Safeties) – 5th year Deshea Townsend (Cornerbacks) – 2nd year David Turner (Defensive Linemen) – 2nd year Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt Roster Last update: May 3, 2015

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 30	6:30 p.m.	Southern Miss*		Davis Wade Stadium Starkville, MS	SECN	W 49–0	61,889
September 6	1:00 p.m.	UAB*		Davis Wade Stadium Starkville, MS	SECRN	W 47–34	57,704
September 13	3:00 p.m.	at South Alabama*		Ladd–Peebles Stadium Mobile, AL	ESPNews	W 35–3	38,129
September 20	6:00 p.m.	at No. 8 LSU		Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA (rivalry)	ESPN	W 34–29	102,321
October 4	11:00 a.m.	No. 6 Texas A&M	No. 12	Davis Wade Stadium Starkville, MS (SEC Nation)	ESPN	W 48–31	61,133
October 11	2:30 p.m.	No. 2 Auburn	No. 3	Davis Wade Stadium Starkville, MS (College GameDay)	CBS	W 38–23	62,945‡
October 25	2:30 p.m.	at Kentucky	No. 1	Commonwealth Stadium Lexington, KY (SEC Nation)	CBS	W 45–31	64,791
November 1	6:15 p.m.	Arkansas	No. 1	Davis Wade Stadium Starkville, MS	ESPN2	W 17–10	62,307
November 8	3:00 p.m.	UT Martin*	No. 1	Davis Wade Stadium Starkville, MS	SECN	W 45–16	61,421
November 15	2:30 p.m.	at No. 5 Alabama	No. 1	Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry) (College GameDay)	CBS	L 20–25	101,821
November 22	6:30 p.m.	Vanderbilt	No. 4	Davis Wade Stadium Starkville, MS	SECN	W 51–0	60,493
November 29	2:30 p.m.	at No. 19 Ole Miss	No. 4	Vaught–Hemingway Stadium Oxford, MS (Egg Bowl / SEC Nation)	CBS	L 17–31	62,058
December 31	6:30 p.m.	vs. No. 12 Georgia Tech*	No. 7	Sun Life Stadium Miami Gardens, FL (Orange Bowl)	ESPN	L 34–49	58,211
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll (and CFP Rankings, after October 28) - Released prior to game All times are in Central time

Schedule Source:^[5]

• ‡ New Davis Wade Stadium Attendance Record

Game summaries

Southern Miss

See also: Southern Miss Golden Eagles football and 2014 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team

Southern Miss at Mississippi State

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Golden Eagles	0	0	0	0	0
• Bulldogs	7	21	14	7	49

• Date: August 30
• Location: Davis Wade Stadium
  Starkville, MS
• Game start: 6:30 p.m. CDT
• Elapsed time: 3:08
• Game attendance: 61,889
• Game weather: 72 °F (22 °C), Overcast with rain, winds S 3mph
• Referee: Steve LaMantia
• TV announcers (SECN): Dave Neal (Play-by-play), Andre Ware (Color), & Laura Rutledge (Sideline)

Source:^[6]

Scoring summary

1	12:35	MSU	De'Runnya Wilson 25-yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 7–0
2	12:22	MSU	Nick Griffin 1-yard touchdown run, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 14–0
2	4:15	MSU	Fred Ross 35-yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott, Westin Graves kick good	MSU 21–0
2	0:35	MSU	Malcolm Johnson 23-yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 28–0
3	10:52	MSU	De'Runnya Wilson 24-yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott, Westin Graves kick good	MSU 35–0
3	5:02	MSU	Jay Hughes 68-yd blocked FG return, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 42–0
4	7:51	MSU	Fred Ross 21-yard touchdown pass from Damian Williams, Westin Graves kick good	MSU 49–0

*Mississippi State won the games on the field in 1975 and 1976, but were later forced to forfeit the games by the NCAA due to an NCAA rules violation in which offensive lineman Larry Gillard received a 33 percent discount at an Okolona, Mississippi clothing store.^[7][8][9]

UAB

See also: UAB Blazers football and 2014 UAB Blazers football team

UAB at Mississippi State

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Blazers	3	17	7	7	34
• Bulldogs	13	13	21	0	47

• Date: September 6
• Location: Davis Wade Stadium
  Starkville, MS
• Game start: 1:00 p.m. CDT
• Elapsed time: 3:35
• Game attendance: 57,704
• Game weather: 86 °F (30 °C), Partly cloudy, winds N 3 MPH
• Referee: Matt Moore
• TV announcers (SECRN): Bob Rathbun (Play-by-play) & Tim Couch (Color)

Source:^[10]

Scoring summary

1	14:03	MSU	Robert Johnson 68-yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 7–0
1	5:31	UAB	Ty Long 44-yard kick good	MSU 7–3
1	0:43	MSU	Preston Smith 21-yard interception return, Westin Graves kick failed	MSU 13–3
2	14:13	UAB	Jordan Howard 2-yard touchdown run, Ty Long kick good	MSU 13–10
2	13:03	UAB	JJ Nelson 88-yard touchdown pass from Jeremi Briscoe, Ty Long kick good	UAB 17–13
2	11:37	MSU	Josh Robinson 17-yd touchdown run, Evan Sobiesk kick failed	MSU 19–17
2	8:06	UAB	Ty Long 46-yard kick good	UAB 20–19
2	5:02	MSU	Gus Walley 20-yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 26–20
3	13:03	MSU	Dak Prescott 4-yard touchdown run, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 33–20
3	6:40	MSU	Joe Morrow 15-yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 40–20
3	5:49	UAB	Josh Magee 81-yard touchdown pass from Cody Clements, Ty Long kick good	MSU 40–27
3	1:49	MSU	De'Runnya Wilson 8-yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 47–27
4	0:49	UAB	Quincy Perdue 75-yard touchdown pass from Jeremi Briscoe, Ty Long kick good	MSU 47–34

South Alabama

See also: South Alabama Jaguars football and 2014 South Alabama Jaguars football team

Mississippi State at South Alabama

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• Bulldogs	7	21	7	0	35
Jaguars	0	3	0	0	3

• Date: September 13
• Location: Ladd–Peebles Stadium
  Mobile, AL
• Game start: 3:00 p.m. CDT
• Elapsed time: 3:13
• Game attendance: 38,129
• Game weather: 86 °F (30 °C), Partly cloudy, Winds NNE 7 mph
• Referee: Matt Loeffler
• TV announcers (ESPNews): Mike Couzens (Play-by-play) & Rene Ingoglia (Color)

Source:^[11]

Scoring summary

1	4:56	MSU	Malcolm Johnson 15-yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 7–0
2	9:30	USA	Aleem Sunanon 26-yard kick good	MSU 7–3
2	7:00	MSU	Josh Robinson 2-yard touchdown run, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 14–3
2	4:27	MSU	Dak Prescott 24-yard touchdown pass from Jameon Lewis, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 21–3
2	2:58	MSU	Josh Robinson 15-yard touchdown run, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 28–3
3	7:17	MSU	Dak Prescott 40-yard touchdown run, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 35–3

LSU

See also: LSU Tigers football and 2014 LSU Tigers football team

Mississippi State at #8 LSU

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• Bulldogs	14	3	14	3	34
No. 8 Tigers	0	3	7	19	29

• Date: September 20
• Location: Tiger Stadium
  Baton Rouge, LA
• Game start: 6:00 p.m. CDT
• Elapsed time: 3:37
• Game attendance: 102,321
• Game weather: 85 °F (29 °C), Clear sunny, Winds East 4-7 mph
• Referee: Hubert Owens
• TV announcers (ESPN): Brad Nessler (Play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (Color), & Holly Rowe (Sideline)

Source:^[12]

Scoring summary

1	10:47	MSU	De'Runnya Wilson 9-yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 7–0
1	0:45	MSU	Josh Robinson 3-yard touchdown run, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 14–0
2	9:26	MSU	Evan Sobiesk 27-yard kick good	MSU 17–0
2	1:20	LSU	Colby Delahoussaye 30-yard kick good	MSU 17–3
3	14:48	LSU	Danielle Hunter 25-yard fumble recovery, Colby Delahoussaye kick good	MSU 17–10
3	12:44	MSU	Dak Prescott 56-yard touchdown run, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 24–10
3	9:35	MSU	Jameon Lewis 74-yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 31–10
4	14:49	MSU	Evan Sobiesk 28-yard kick good	MSU 34–10
4	12:34	LSU	Kenny Hilliard 30-yard touchdown run, Anthony Jennings rush failed	MSU 34–16
4	1:55	LSU	Malachi Dupre 31-yard touchdown pass from Brandon Harris, Brandon Harris rushed failed	MSU 34–22
4	1:27	LSU	Malachi Dupre 30-yard touchdown pass from Brandon Harris, Colby Delahoussaye kick good	MSU 34–29

Texas A&M

See also: Texas A&M Aggies football and 2014 Texas A&M Aggies football team

#6 Texas A&M at #12 Mississippi State

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 6 Aggies	7	3	7	14	31
• No. 12 Bulldogs	14	14	13	7	48

• Date: October 4
• Location: Davis Wade Stadium
  Starkville, MS
• Game start: 11:00 a.m. CDT
• Elapsed time: 3:30
• Game attendance: 61,133
• Game weather: 59 °F (15 °C), Sunny, Winds Northwest 9 mph
• Referee: Ken Williamson
• TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Pasch (Play-by-play), Brian Griese (Color), & Tom Luginbill (Sideline)

Source:^[13]

Scoring summary

1	13:19	TAMU	Josh Reynolds 13-yard touchdown pass from Kenny Hill, Josh Lambo kick good	TAMU 7–0
1	10:30	MSU	Josh Robinson 1-yard touchdown run, Evan Sobiesk kick good	Tie 7–7
1	0:13	MSU	Josh Robinson 1-yard touchdown run, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 14–7
2	8:33	MSU	Dak Prescott 1-yard touchdown run, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 21–7
2	2:02	MSU	De'Runnya Wilson 9-yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 28–7
2	0:02	TAMU	Josh Lambo 27-yard kick good	MSU 28–10
3	6:38	MSU	Dak Prescott 2-yard touchdown run, Evan Sobiesk kick block	MSU 34–10
3	3:33	TAMU	Speedy Noil 23-yard touchdown pass from Kenny Hill, Josh Lambo kick good	MSU 34–17
3	2:08	MSU	Fred Brown 51-yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 41–17
4	10:19	MSU	Dak Prescott 11-yard touchdown run, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 48–17
4	2:29	TAMU	Speedy Noil 6-yard touchdown pass from Kenny Hill, Josh Lambo kick good	MSU 48–24
4	1:25	TAMU	Josh Reynolds 23-yard touchdown pass from Kenny Hill, Josh Lambo kick good	MSU 48–31

Auburn

See also: Auburn Tigers football and 2014 Auburn Tigers football team

#2 Auburn at #3 Mississippi State

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 2 Tigers	0	13	7	3	23
• No. 3 Bulldogs	21	7	0	10	38

• Date: October 11
• Location: Davis Wade Stadium
  Starkville, MS
• Game start: 2:30 p.m. CDT
• Elapsed time: 3:55
• Game attendance: 62,945
• Game weather: 83 °F (28 °C), Partly Cloudy, Winds Southwest 5 mph
• Referee: Tom Ritter
• TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist (Play-by-play), Gary Danielson (Color), & Allie LaForce (Sideline)

Source:^[14]

Scoring summary

1	12:41	MSU	De'Runnya Wilson 34-yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 7–0
1	11:30	MSU	Josh Robinson 1-yard touchdown run, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 14–0
1	6:09	MSU	Dak Prescott 2-yard touchdown run, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 21–0
2	14:57	AU	Daniel Carlson 21-yard kick good	MSU 21–3
2	11:17	AU	Daniel Carlson 22-yard kick good	MSU 21–6
2	5:26	AU	D'haquille Williams 9-yard touchdown pass from Nick Marshall, Daniel Carlson kick good	MSU 21–13
2	3:58	MSU	Dak Prescott 15-yard touchdown run, Evan Sobiesk kick block	MSU 28–13
3	6:09	AU	D'haquille Williams 15-yard touchdown pass from Nick Marshall, Daniel Carlson kick good	MSU 28–20
4	11:33	MSU	Evan Sobiesk 21-yard kick good	MSU 31–20
4	11:07	MSU	Josh Robinson 1-yard touchdown run, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 38–20
4	7:43	AU	Daniel Carlson 42-yard kick good	MSU 38–23

Kentucky

See also: Kentucky Wildcats football and 2014 Kentucky Wildcats football team

#1 Mississippi State at Kentucky

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• No. 1 Bulldogs	10	7	14	14	45
Wildcats	7	3	14	7	31

• Date: October 25
• Location: Commonwealth Stadium
  Lexington, KY
• Game start: 2:30 p.m. CDT
• Elapsed time: 3:37
• Game attendance: 64,791
• Game weather: 72 °F (22 °C), Fair, Winds West Southwest 12 mph
• Referee: Hubert Owens
• TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist (Play-by-play), Gary Danielson (Color), & Allie LaForce (Sideline)

Source:^[15]

Scoring summary

1	8:38	MSU	Josh Robinson 12-yard touchdown run, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 7–0
1	6:25	UK	Demarco Robinson 67-yard touchdown pass from Patrick Towles, Austin MacGinnis kick good	Tie 7–7
1	2:41	MSU	Evan Sobiesk 26-yard kick good	MSU 10–7
2	10:20	MSU	Dak Prescott 2-yard touchdown run, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 17–7
2	6:18	UK	Austin MacGinnis 34-yard kick good	MSU 17–10
3	11:54	MSU	Dak Prescott 11-yard touchdown run, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 24–10
3	8:33	UK	Patrick Towles 10-yard touchdown run, Austin MacGinnis kick block	MSU 24–17
3	4:44	MSU	Brandon Hill 8-yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 31–17
3	3:32	UK	Javess Blue 58-yard touchdown pass from Patrick Towles, Austin MacGinnis kick good	MSU 31–24
4	11:47	MSU	Josh Robinson 73-yard touchdown run, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 38–24
4	2:31	UK	Patrick Towles 4-yard touchdown run, Austin MacGinnis kick good	MSU 38–31
4	2:22	MSU	Christian Holmes 61-yard kickoff return, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 45–31

Arkansas

See also: Arkansas Razorbacks football and 2014 Arkansas Razorbacks football team

Arkansas at #1 Mississippi State

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Razorbacks	3	7	0	0	10
• No. 1 Bulldogs	0	7	3	7	17

• Date: November 1
• Location: Davis Wade Stadium
  Starkville, MS
• Game start: 6:15 p.m. CDT
• Elapsed time: 3:16
• Game attendance: 62,307
• Game weather: 45 °F (7 °C), Clear skies, Winds Northwest 5 mph
• Referee: David Smith
• TV announcers (ESPN2): Joe Tessitore (Play-by-play), Brock Huard (Color), & Shannon Spake (Sideline)

Source:^[16]

Scoring summary

1	9:50	Ark	Adam McFain 36-yard kick good	UAR 3–0
2	11:01	Ark	Alex Collins 1-yard touchdown run, Adam McFain kick good	UAR 10–0
2	7:30	MSU	Josh Robinson 3-yard touchdown run, Evan Sobiesk kick good	UAR 10–7
3	3:35	MSU	Evan Sobiesk 37-yard kick good	Tie 10–10
4	13:21	MSU	Fred Ross 69-yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 17–10

Tennessee–Martin

See also: Tennessee–Martin Skyhawks football and 2014 Tennessee–Martin Skyhawks football team

Tennessee–Martin at #1 Mississippi State

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Skyhawks	3	0	0	13	16
• No. 1 Bulldogs	7	17	14	7	45

• Date: November 8
• Location: Davis Wade Stadium
  Starkville, MS
• Game start: 3:00 p.m. CST
• Elapsed time: 3:18
• Game attendance: 61,421
• Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C), Partly cloudy, Winds Northwest 5 mph
• Referee: Marc Curles
• TV announcers (SECN): Brent Musburger (Play-by-play), Jesse Palmer (Color), & Maria Taylor (Sideline)

Source:^[17]

Scoring summary

1	6:44	MSU	Fred Brown 10-yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 7–0
1	1:33	UTM	Jackson Redditt 33-yard kick good	MSU 7–3
2	14:49	MSU	Dak Prescott 48-yard touchdown run, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 14–3
2	6:31	MSU	Brandon Holloway 35-yard touchdown run, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 21–3
2	0:35	MSU	Evan Sobiesk 27-yard kick good	MSU 24–3
3	8:52	MSU	Joe Marrow 55-yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 31–3
3	4:40	MSU	Ashton Shumpert 59-yard touchdown run, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 38–3
4	10:14	UTM	Ben Axline 31-yard touchdown pass from Jarod Neal, Jackson Redditt kick good	MSU 38–10
4	7:28	UTM	Jarod Neal 1-yard touchdown run, Jackson Redditt kick blocked	MSU 31–16
4	3:37	MSU	Jamoral Graham 44-yard touchdown pass from Damian Williams, Westin Graves kick good	MSU 45–16

Alabama

See also: Alabama Crimson Tide football and 2014 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

#1 Mississippi State at #5 Alabama

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 1 Bulldogs	0	3	3	14	20
• No. 5 Crimson Tide	5	14	0	6	25

• Date: November 14
• Location: Bryant–Denny Stadium
  Tuscaloosa, AL
• Game start: 2:30 p.m. CST
• Elapsed time: 3:32
• Game attendance: 101,821
• Game weather: 51 °F (11 °C), Clear & Sunny, Winds South Southeast 6 MPH
• Referee: Matt Moore
• TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist (Play-by-play), Gary Danielson (Color), & Allie LaForce (Sideline)

Source:^[18]

Scoring summary

1	7:49	UA	Trey DePriest safety	UA 2–0
1	2:06	UA	Adam Griffith 36 yd field goal	UA 5–0
2	7:45	UA	Amari Cooper 4 yd pass from Blake Sims. Adam Griffith kick good	UA 12–0
2	5:32	UA	Derrick Henry 1 yd run. Adam Griffith kick good	UA 19–0
2	0:03	MSU	Evan Sobiesk 23 yd field goal	UA 19–3
3	12:06	MSU	Evan Sobiesk 32 yd field goal	UA 19–6
4	14:16	MSU	Fred Ross 4 yd pass from Dak Prescott. Evan Sobiesk kick	UA 19–13
4	8:09	UA	T. J. Yeldon 7 yd run. Blake Sims pass failed	UA 25–13
4	0:15	MSU	Jameon Lewis 4 yd pass from Dak Prescott. Evan Sobiesk kick good	UA 25–20

Vanderbilt

See also: Vanderbilt Commodores football and 2014 Vanderbilt Commodores football team

Vanderbilt at #4 Mississippi State

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Commodores	0	0	0	0	0
• No. 4 Bulldogs	13	24	7	7	51

• Date: November 22
• Location: Davis Wade Stadium
  Starkville, MS
• Game start: 6:30 p.m. CST
• Elapsed time: 3:19
• Game attendance: 60,493
• Game weather: 60 °F (16 °C), Partly cloudy, Winds Southeast 9 MPH
• Referee: Marc Curles
• TV announcers (SECN): Tom Hart (Play-by-play), Matt Stinchcomb (Color), & Heather Mitts (Sideline)

Source:^[19]

Scoring summary

1	8:01	MSU	Malcolm Johnson 9-yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott, Evan Sobiesk kick failed	MSU 6–0
1	5:05	MSU	Joe Morrow 27-yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 13–0
2	14:01	MSU	Christian Holmes fumble recovery 51-yard touchdown run, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 20–0
2	8:27	MSU	Josh Robinson 14-yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 27–0
2	2:31	MSU	Dak Prescott 4-yard touchdown run, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 34–0
2	0:00	MSU	Evan Sobiesk 34-yard kick good	MSU 37–0
3	4:23	MSU	Ashton Shumpert 3-yard touchdown run, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 44–0
4	14:55	MSU	Joe Morrow 9-yard touchdown pass from Damian Williams, Evan Sobiesk kick good	MSU 51–0

Mississippi

See also: Ole Miss Rebels football and 2014 Ole Miss Rebels football team

#4 Mississippi State at #18 Ole Miss

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 4 Bulldogs	0	3	7	7	17
• No. 18 Rebels	7	0	17	7	31

• Date: November 29
• Location: Vaught–Hemingway Stadium
  Oxford, MS
• Game start: 2:30 p.m. CST
• Elapsed time: 3:54
• Game attendance: 62,058
• Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C), Cloudy, Winds South 7 MPH
• Referee: Tom Ritter
• TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist (Play-by-play), Gary Danielson (Color), & Allie LaForce (Sideline)

Source:

Georgia Tech (Orange Bowl)

See also: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football, 2014 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team, and 2014 Orange Bowl (December)

#8 Mississippi State vs. #10 Georgia Tech
(Orange Bowl)

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 8 Bulldogs	0	20	0	14	34
• No. 10 Yellow Jackets	14	7	21	7	49

• Date: December 31
• Location: Sun Life Stadium
  Miami Gardens, FL
• Game start: 7:00 p.m. CST
• Elapsed time: 3:28
• Game attendance: 58,211
• Game weather: 75 °F (24 °C), Cloudy, Winds North 13 MPH
• Referee: Dan Capron
• TV announcers (ESPN/ESPN Radio): Brent Musburger (Play-by-play), Jesse Palmer (Color), & Maria Taylor (Sideline)/Bill Rosinski (Play-by-play), David Norrie (Color), & Joe Schad (Sideline)

Source:

Rankings

Further information: 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
RV = Received votes ( ) = First-place votes

	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	Final
AP	RV	RV	RV	RV	14	12	3 (2)	1 (45)	1 (43)	1 (46)	1 (45)	1 (48)	4	4	10	8	11
Coaches	RV	RV	RV	RV	16	14	6	1 (26)	1 (36)	1 (41)	1 (40)	1 (41)	4	4	10	8	12
CFP	Not released									1	1	1	4	4	10	7	Not released

Following MSU's win over Auburn, the team was ranked Number 1 in the AP Poll for the first time in the program's history. That also marked "the fastest [rise to the top] in AP Top 25 history."^[20] The previous mark was six weeks by Ohio State in 1954.^[21] The Bulldogs also became the first ever team to be ranked number 1 in the newly created College Football Playoff Poll when the initial poll was released on October 28, 2014.^[22]