As it does pretty much every week, Vanderbilt got out to a slow start against Mississippi State. But unlike last week against South Carolina, the tide never shifted.
Mississippi State took its opening drive 79 yards for a touchdown. After a quick Vanderbilt three and out, the Bulldogs would go on a 14-play, 55-yard drive that took 7:30 off the clock and ended with a 36-yard field goal. It was 10-0 Mississippi State with 1:48 left in the first quarter and Vanderbilt had run just three offensive plays.
Vanderbilt briefly threatened to get back in the game when, on the first play of the ensuing possession, Mike Wright found Devin Boddie for a 61-yard bomb, but the Commodores had to settle for a field goal.