100 Days of MSU Football - Day 78
For as long as I've been a fan of Mississippi State football, running the football has always been an integral part of the offense. From the toss sweep (to the short side of the field), to the dive, to the option, MSU has always been a team that featured a strong dose of the running game when we lined up on offense.
In 1976, Mississippi State set a rushing related record that still stands today. When taking on the Louisville Cardinals in the second game of the season that year, coach Bob Tyler dialed up 78, yes 78, rushing plays in a 30-21 win of the red and white. The Bulldogs used those 78 attempts to rack up 449 yards on the ground (a robust 5.75 yd/attempt) along with 3 TDs. That record of 78 rushing attempts in a single game still stands in the MSU record books today.
The sad part of that record is that the game result would not stand - MSU was forced to forfeit all games (except Memphis State and North Texas) between the seasons of 1975-1977.