Dawgs ‘Dictated The Terms Of The Fight’ To Pass Huge Test
September 12, 2026 | Football, Joel Coleman
MINNEAPOLIS – It's funny. Praise feels good coming from those in your corner. However, it's oftentimes even sweeter coming from a foe.
Those who love you care about your feelings. Those who oppose you are often only concerned with the facts.
So, when Minnesota head football coach P.J. Fleck offered up his opinion on Mississippi State following the Bulldogs' 38-13 beatdown of his Golden Gophers on Saturday, it served as an objective opinion of what this 2026 MSU squad is capable of.
"They dominated in all three phases," Fleck said of the Bulldogs. "You've got to give them all the credit in the world because they dictated the terms of the fight."
Fleck wasn't asked to grade Mississippi State's team. If he had been, his postgame comments seemed to point towards an 'A' or 'A+'.
That's just educated speculation of course, but there's no denying that MSU has now passed its first huge test of the season with flying colors.
This was no easy task for State. A Big Ten opponent, on the road, on the home field they hadn't lost on in their last eight games dating back to 2024? Yeah, Minnesota was a true measuring stick for the Maroon and White.
Well, MSU measured up from the opening kickoff to the final horn. The Dawgs scored touchdowns on each of their first four drives and limited the Gophers to just a pair of field goals over the first two quarters to take complete command of the ballgame.
"In the first half, we wanted to stay foot on the gas and play complimentary football, and I think we did that," State head coach Jeff Lebby said.
Budding superstar quarterback Kamario Taylor was right at the center of MSU's success. He passed for 227 yards and three touchdowns, plus rushed for 86 yards. All three of Taylor's scoring tosses came in the first half as State pulled away.
"I thought the way he played in the first half was about as clean and good as you can possibly play," Lebby said of Taylor. "The way he played and the way he was able to make some plays on third down scrambling vertically – he did some great, great things. I'm proud of his presence, his command, and his leadership is spot on."
But for all of the well-deserved compliments Taylor earned in this game from his head coach, fans, national media and so many others, his success was just one piece of MSU painting its Minnesota masterpiece.
Fluff Bothwell ran for 113 yards and two scores.
"I told [Bothwell] in the pregame, 'Get ready to get leaned on,'" Lebby said. "And he was a guy that I was really excited about leaning on because he hasn't had that opportunity yet this year, because last week we didn't need him. Man, he answered the bell like I knew he would and did some great things."
Anthony Evans III had 121 yards receiving with a touchdown.
"He played his butt off and did some great, great things," Lebby said of Evans.
The unsung heroes on the offensive line did their job, paving the way for 479 yards of offense – 252 of which came on the ground.
Then there was the Dawg defense – a group that didn't allow a single touchdown. Minnesota's only touchdown came on a State fumble that the Gophers recovered in the end zone.
Defensive coordinator Zach Arnett's unit limited Minnesota to a mere 13 yards on the ground and allowed the Gophers to convert on just four of 13 third-down attempts.
"I thought the way we played on third down was a huge reason in winning the game and controlling the entire game – like the game never really being close because of us being able to get off the field on third down," Lebby said. "We're gonna need that as we continue to move forward against some of the people we're gonna play here really soon."
Like any good coach, Lebby already appears to be eyeing the next test. It'll come next Saturday at South Carolina when MSU opens up Southeastern Conference play.
There is very little time to savor passing big tests when you play an SEC schedule, but when you do things like State did at Minnesota, belief starts to build that you can do it again and again.
"[We have a] fun locker room [after the win], and the fun's in winning," Lebby said. "That's the reality of it. You do all of this for so few opportunities, you've gotta enjoy it and embrace it, but challenge them at the exact same time as they get back in the building [on Sunday] and get ready to get coached and understand we've got work to do. It's just the beginning of it, but I'm proud of them for what we did [against Minnesota]. [On Sunday] it's gonna be time to get back to work."
