STARKVILLE — Jeff Lebby, quarterback Blake Shapen and Mississippi State football breezed to a 56-7 season-opening victory Saturday against Eastern Kentucky at Davis Wade Stadium.
The Bulldogs (1-0) scored 35 unanswered points to begin the game before EKU (0-1) added a touchdown in the final seconds of the first half.
Shapen, a Baylor transfer, had four touchdowns in the first half — three passing and one rushing.
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Mississippi State vs Eastern Kentucky score updates
True freshman Elijah Cannon had a 50-yard pick-six in the final minutes of the game.
JP Purvis blocked an Eastern Kentucky punt and Mario Craver Jr. recovered it in the end zone with 6:58 remaining in the fourth quarter. MSU has now blocked and returned a punt for a touchdown in two straight seasons after not doing it previously since 2017.
Mississippi State attempted a chip-shot field goal at the start of the fourth quarter, but an EKU defender got a hand on the ball.
MSU orchestrated its longest drive of the game on its first possession of the second half. Utah State transfer Davon Booth walked into the end zone untouched from one yard away with 7:42 to play in the third quarter.
Matt Morrissey connected with receiver Ron Vann Jr. for a nine-yard touchdown with three seconds to play in the first half.
Shapen threw his third touchdown of the half on a 54-yard strike to freshman Mario Craver Jr. with 3:16 remaining in the second quarter.
One play after MSU recovered its own fumble, Blake Shapen hit a wide-open Kevin Coleman for a 23-yard touchdown with 7:10 remaining in the second quarter.
Wide receiver Creed Whittemore took an end around handoff for a 41-yard touchdown with 11:01 to play in the second quarter.
After a long Kevin Coleman punt return set up MSU deep in Eastern Kentucky territory, Blake Shapen rushed up the middle for a four-yard touchdown with 11:07 to play in the first quarter.
Mississippi State 7, Eastern Kentucky 0: Jordan Mosely 65-yard TD pass from Blake Shapen
Blake Shapen's second completion as a Bulldog found Jordan Mosely in stride down the left sideline for a 65-yard touchdown.
Mississippi State vs Eastern Kentucky time today
- Date: Saturday, Aug. 31
- Time: 5 p.m.
- Location: Davis Wade Stadium
What channel is Mississippi State vs Eastern Kentucky game on today?
- TV channel: SEC Network+
- Streaming: ESPN+ ( subscribe today )
- Radio: MSU Sports Network and Sirius XM channels 108 or 204
Mississippi State vs. Eastern Kentucky will be broadcast on SEC Network+. Kevin Fitzgerald will be on the call with analyst Charlie Strong. Streaming is available on ESPN+ .
Mississippi State vs Eastern Kentucky history
- Series record: Mississippi State and Eastern Kentucky have never played
Mississippi State vs Eastern Kentucky predictions
Mississippi State has new starters everywhere for Lebby in Year 1. Shapen seems like a great fit at quarterback, and Eastern Kentucky had one of the FCS' worst defenses last season. The Bulldogs should run away with this one 50-10. Click here for a full analysis on the matchup.
Mississippi State vs Eastern Kentucky betting odds
BetMGM currently does not have betting odds for Mississippi State vs. Eastern Kentucky.
Mississippi State vs Eastern Kentucky injury updates
Mississippi State ruled out wide receiver Kelly Akharaiyi and safety Corey Ellington , both of whom are starters.
Mississippi State vs Eastern Kentucky weather update
The weather report in Starkville calls for a high of 88 degrees, winds 9 miles per hour and a 5% chance of rain at kickoff.
Mississippi State football 2024 schedule
Aug. 31: vs. Eastern Kentucky
Sept. 7: at Arizona State
Sept. 14: vs. Toledo
Sept. 21: vs. Florida
Sept. 28: at Texas
Oct. 12: at Georgia
Oct. 19: vs. Texas A&M
Oct. 26: vs. Arkansas
Nov. 2: vs. UMass
Nov. 9: at Tennessee
Nov. 23: vs. Missouri
Nov. 29: at Ole Miss
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Eastern Kentucky football schedule 2024
Aug. 31: at Mississippi State
Sept. 7: at Western Kentucky
Sept. 14: vs. West Georgia
Sept. 21: vs. Morehead State
Sept. 28: vs. Robert Morris
Oct. 12: at Southern Utah
Oct. 19: at Abilene Christian
Oct. 26: vs. Utah Tech
Nov. 2: at Tarleton State
Nov. 9: vs. Central Arkansas
Nov. 16: at Austin Peay
Nov. 23: vs. North Alabama
Mississippi State football news
- Saturday is Jeff Lebby 's first game as Mississippi State football's coach. He's the program's 36th head coach.
- Blake Shapen is Mississippi State's starting quarterback, a Baylor transfer.
- Mississippi State has new offensive, defensive and special teams coordinators . Wide receivers coach Chad Bumphis and defensive line coach David Turner were the only retainments from last season.
- The SEC expanded this season with the additions of Texas and Oklahoma. MSU will play at Texas on Sept. 28. It will not play Oklahoma this season, Lebby's former team.
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Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: Mississippi State football vs EKU: Final score, highlights from Week 1 game
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