For the 4th time already in my top 10 moments, the Dawgs strike gold against the University of Florida. This time, arguably Dan Mullen's biggest win - MSU 10, Florida 7.
Florida was 26-2 in 2008 & '09, then they won their first four games of 2010. Week 5 was a different story as they were stomped by Alabama, then LSU beat them (on a lucky play) in the Swamp. Mississippi State started off rough, but had won three in a row (Georgia, Alcorn State, Houston) heading into Gainesville to take on the #22 Gators.
MSU got off to a pretty good start in this game and held on from there. The defense held UF to 33 yards on 12 plays in the 1st quarter. The offense produced 10 points including an 11 play, 64 yard drive that ended in a Chris Relf touchdown run.
The State defense remained stingy in the 2nd quarter as well and it looked like Dan Mullen was poised to get his first big time road win. Mullen's strategy was one of great logic that many coaches don't seem to use: keep running until they stop you. The last 6 plays of the 1st half were all rushes, and so was every offensive down of the 2nd half. In all, 84% of State's plays were runs.
Mid-way through the 3rd quarter the Gators started to figure out State's D. They had a 80 yard touchdown drive to make it 10-7, then drove to the MSU 17 but Fletcher Cox forced a fumble which K.J. Wright recovered. With two minutes left, Heath Hutchins pinned John Brantley and Co. on their own 4 yard line. Brantley did well from there, hitting on 10 of 14 passes to get to the MSU 25 yard line.
Chas Henry, who had averaged 47 yards per punt that night, came in to attempt a game-tying field goal with :04 left. The kick wasn't even close. Urban Meyer had built Florida into a dynasty, but Dan Mullen proved that he was one of the main ingredients to Florida's success ('05-'08). It was a great win for State, and catapulted them to a 9-4 season.
Jack Cristil "Wraps it in Maroon and White"- MSU vs. Florida (10/16/10) (via TheKylegordon)