Mississippi St. avoids La. Tech upset bid with 35-34 win
Mississippi State running back Jo'quavious Marks (7) looks upfield for running room after catching a short pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Louisiana Tech in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Mississippi State running back Jo'quavious Marks (7) looks upfield for running room after catching a short pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Louisiana Tech in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Sep. 04, 2021 06:22 PM EDT
Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers (2) is sacked by Louisiana Tech defensive lineman Ben Bell (96) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers (2) is sacked by Louisiana Tech defensive lineman Ben Bell (96) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Sep. 04, 2021 06:24 PM EDT
Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers (2) is sacked by Louisiana Tech defensive lineman Levi Bell (97) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers (2) is sacked by Louisiana Tech defensive lineman Levi Bell (97) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Sep. 04, 2021 06:24 PM EDT
Mississippi State running back Jo'quavious Marks (7) is gang tackled by Louisiana Tech defenders, including linebacker Tyler Grubbs (52) and defensive back BeeJay Williamson (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Mississippi State running back Jo'quavious Marks (7) is gang tackled by Louisiana Tech defenders, including linebacker Tyler Grubbs (52) and defensive back BeeJay Williamson (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Sep. 04, 2021 06:23 PM EDT
Louisiana Tech wide receiver Smoke Harris (6) breaks away from Mississippi State safety Collin Duncan (19) as he rushes forward with a touchdown pass reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Louisiana Tech wide receiver Smoke Harris (6) breaks away from Mississippi State safety Collin Duncan (19) as he rushes forward with a touchdown pass reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Sep. 04, 2021 06:22 PM EDT
Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers (2) reaches for the ball after having it stripped from his hands by a Louisiana Tech defensive player during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers (2) reaches for the ball after having it stripped from his hands by a Louisiana Tech defensive player during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Sep. 04, 2021 06:22 PM EDT
Mississippi State cheerleaders celebrate a first-half score by running through the end zone with the school's flags during an NCAA college football game against Louisiana Tech in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Mississippi State cheerleaders celebrate a first-half score by running through the end zone with the school's flags during an NCAA college football game against Louisiana Tech in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Sep. 04, 2021 06:08 PM EDT
Mississippi State wide receiver Jamire Calvin (6) sprints past the Louisiana Tech defense on his way to a 20-yard touchdown pass reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Mississippi State wide receiver Jamire Calvin (6) sprints past the Louisiana Tech defense on his way to a 20-yard touchdown pass reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Sep. 04, 2021 05:09 PM EDT
Mississippi State wide receiver Jaden Walley (11) pushes past Louisiana Tech linebacker Joren Dickey (42) after a pass reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Mississippi State wide receiver Jaden Walley (11) pushes past Louisiana Tech linebacker Joren Dickey (42) after a pass reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Sep. 04, 2021 05:09 PM EDT
Louisiana Tech wide receiver Smoke Harris (6) is knocked off his feet by Mississippi State's Jaden Walley (11) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Louisiana Tech wide receiver Smoke Harris (6) is knocked off his feet by Mississippi State's Jaden Walley (11) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Sep. 04, 2021 06:26 PM EDT