Van Buren is responsible for 3 touchdowns as Mississippi St. beats UMass 45-20

University sports

UMass (2-7) had 335 total yards, including 199 on the ground.

By ROBBIE FAULK, Associated Press

November 2, 2024

STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) – Michael Van Buren Jr. accounted for three touchdowns and led Mississippi State back from an early deficit with a 45-20 victory over Massachusetts on Saturday.

Mississippi State responded to a 10-0 start by UMass with 35 consecutive points in the second and third quarters.

After the Bulldogs surrendered over 100 yards on their first two drives and had minus-nine yards on offense, Mississippi State held UMass scoreless on five straight drives while scoring touchdowns to cap five of its six possessions.

Van Buren finished the night 14 of 25 for 222 yards and a touchdown and added two touchdowns on the ground. He led an offense that totaled 463 yards, 241 of which came on the ground on 30 carries.

Johnnie Daniels had six carries for 92 yards and a touchdown, Davon Booth ran 11 times for 76 yards and a score and freshman Xavier Gayten had two carries for a score of 72 yards.

Jordan Mosley finished the game with four catches for 107 yards for the Bulldogs.

UMass (2-7) had 335 total yards, including 199 on the ground. The Minutemen were 9 of 17 on third down and had a 40:49 time of possession, but committed nine penalties for 99 yards.

Brandon Campbell had 10 carries for 64 yards and a score to lead the way for the Minutemen.

Stone Blanton had 14 tackles for the Bulldogs (2-7) on defense, while Nic Mitchell made 10 tackles. Brylan Lanier was intercepted.

Mississippi State travels to Tennessee on November 9th.

UMass will host Liberty on November 16th.

Mississippi State: It's been a trying season for the Bulldogs, but the team was finally able to find some success for the first time since Week 1. The win over the Minutemen ended a seven-game losing streak.

UMass: Entering Saturday, the Minutemen fell to 2-7 on the year with losses to SEC teams Missouri and Mississippi State on the list. There is one conference game remaining, with a matchup against No. 2 Georgia coming up on November 23rd.