University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
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Mississippi St
Memphis Falls To Mississippi State, 17-3
Sep 02, 2000 | Football
Sept. 2, 2000
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Dicenzo Miller scored on a 6-yard run with 1:55 remaining as Mississippi State beat Memphis 17-3 in 100-degree heat Saturday.
Miller's touchdown came on the first play after the Bulldogs' Willie Blade recovered Memphis quarterback Neil Suber's fumble. Marrio Haggan, who also had an interception, sacked Suber to cause the fumble.
Memphis appeared to have tied it on a fumble return early in the fourth quarter, but the officials ruled Mississippi State quarterback Wayne Madkin was down before losing the ball.
After Madkins fumbled at the Bulldogs' 36, Memphis' Kamal Shakir recovered and ran into the end zone.
The two defenses controlled the game, with neither team able to sustain possession or put together long drives.
Mississippi State finished with 127 in offense, while Memphis managed 168. The teams each punted 10 times in the season opener.
Mississippi State led 10-3 at halftime, capitalizing on two Tigers' miscues for its scores.
Fred Smoot intercepted Travis Anglin's pass early in the second quarter to set up Scott Westerfield's 43-yard field goal, and Haggan's interception return to the 25 led to Dontae Walker's 1-yard touchdown run with 3:47 left in the half.
Memphis managed only Ryan White's 36-yard field goal just before the close of the half, although it was the most sustained drive of the game with 15 plays for 62 yards.
In the second half, Mississippi State was held to only one first down and 19 yards of offense. But Memphis could not do much better, and the closest the Tigers came to the end zone was the Mississippi State 41.
Haggan finished with 12 tackles for the Bulldogs, including two for 23 yards in losses.
