The Mountaineers wasted little time putting a touchdown on the board just 20 seconds into the first quarter on a 64-yard Pat White touchdown run.  It was the Mountaineers first play from scrimmage.  Things only got worse for the visiting Bulldogs.  On West Virginia’s next possession White found Owen Shmitt on a bootleg and big Owen took it 12 yards for West Virginia’s second touchdown midway through the first quarter. 

On the next play from scrimmage MSU running back Anthony Dixon fumbled, giving the ball back to the Mountaineers.  Three plays later White found Darius Reynaud for a 10-yard strike giving the Mountaineers a 21-0 lead.

The barrage continued on the ensuing MSU possession as the Mountaineers held the Bulldogs to a three and out.  Bulldog punter Blake McAdams’ punt went only 23 yards giving West Virginia  possession at the MSU 48 yard line. Six plays later, Steve Slaton bolted 26 yards for the fourth West Virginia touchdown.  On their next drive Mississippi State again coughed up the football giving the Mountaineers field position deep in the Bulldog zone.  Pat McAfee would add a 45-yard field goal to put the Mountaineers up 31-0 early in the second quarter. 

Mississippi State added a touchdown late in the second quarter to cut the Mountaineer lead to 24.  However, the West Virginia defense was not going to let the Bulldogs climb back in to the game.  They allowed only one more score that came in the third quarter, and after a failed two-point conversion attempt, WVU led 31-13.  The Mountaineers would put the game out of reach early in the fourth quarter on a Darius Reynaud touchdown catch from back-up quarterback Jarrett Brown. 

The Mountaineers seem to have risen back up after their crushing defeat to South Florida three weeks ago after two blowout victories. West Virginia now sits at #7 in the most recent BCS standings and will likely move up should it continue to win.  The Mountaineer defense is quietly climbing up the national rankings as well as they rank #5 in total defense.  West Virginia’s defense has held their last five opponents to 14 points or less. 

Steve Slaton was back to his usual self rushing for 127 yards on 23 carries and a touchdown.  With his only score of the game Steve Slaton became the all-time touchdown leader in West Virginia history as he surpassed Mountaineer greats Avon Cobourn and Ira Erret Rodgers. Pat White looked more than 100% as he completed 8 passes for 61 yards and two scores, and ran for 89 and another score.