Mississippi State has 243 total yards, 147 rushing, and leads Wake Forest 16-7 despite losing the turnover battle (0-3) and time of possession (12:28 / 17:32) after a sputtering half of football at the 2011 Music City Bowl. The game has seen a stilted first quarter of offense and a second quarter punctuated by explosive plays - namely Fletcher Cox’s blocked field goal that would set up a Bulldog touchdown drive.
Mississippi State Vs. Wake Forest Halftime Score: Chris Relf INT Keeps State Lead 16-7
State's 9-0 run in the second quarter was set up after Cox blocked a 33-yard field goal attempt by Wake Forest, bringing an overwhelmingly maroon and white crowd to life in Nashville and spurring drives of 58, 55 and 51 yards, the last of which ended when quarterback Chris Relf was intercepted in the end zone by Wake's Duran Lowe.
The Demon Deacon offense froze after the failed field goal, amassing only 37 yards on two drives. Quarterback Tanner Price is 11 of 18 for 73 yards, and tailback Brandon Pendergrass has 35 yards on 13 carries, 17 of which came on his first quarter touchdown. Wake is 0-7 on third downs, but converted their only fourth down attempt on a fake punt turned shovel pass, which landed the Deacons the one yard they needed, and the ire of Dan Mullen (and his league approved Power Gloves):
Photo courtesy of @KegsnEggs
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