STARKVILLE, Miss. — In an impressive turnaround, Michael Van Buren Jr. led Mississippi State to a 45-20 victory over Massachusetts on Saturday night, contributing to three touchdowns and rallying his team from an early 10-point deficit.
Initially trailing 10-0, the Bulldogs responded with a remarkable surge, scoring 35 unanswered points during the second and third quarters. After a shaky start where they allowed over 100 yards on Massachusetts’ first two drives and recorded a negative nine yards offensively, Mississippi State’s defense clamped down, preventing UMass from scoring on five consecutive possessions. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs found the end zone on five of their six chances.
Van Buren completed 14 of 25 passes for 222 yards and a touchdown while also contributing two touchdowns on the ground. His leadership was a key component in an offensive effort that totaled 463 yards, with 241 yards coming from the running game on just 30 carries.
Johnnie Daniels had an impressive outing with six carries for 92 yards and one touchdown. All-purpose back Davon Booth contributed 76 yards and a score on 11 carries, while freshman Xavier Gayten showcased his speed with a 72-yard touchdown on his two carries.
Jordan Mosley also made significant contributions, catching four passes for 107 yards for Mississippi State.
On the other side, UMass (2-7) accumulated a total of 335 yards, with 199 coming from rushing. Despite a solid performance on third downs—converting 9 of 17 attempts—and a time of possession exceeding 40 minutes, the Minutemen struggled with discipline, committing nine penalties for 99 yards. Brandon Campbell led UMass’s rushing attack with 10 carries for 64 yards and a touchdown.
On defense, Stone Blanton was a standout for the Bulldogs, recording 14 tackles, while teammate Nic Mitchell added 10 tackles. Brylan Lanier made a notable play with an interception.
Looking ahead, Mississippi State is set to travel to Tennessee for their next game on November 9, while UMass will host Liberty on November 16.
The overarching narrative illustrates Mississippi State’s difficult season, but this victory marks a much-needed breakthrough, ending a seven-game losing streak. Conversely, UMass’s loss drops them to 2-7, with the added challenge of facing another SEC opponent—No. 2 Georgia—on November 23.