Josh Robinson Shows Mississippi State Offense Is More Than Just Dak Prescott

During Mississippi State’s unlikely rise to the top of the college football polls, junior quarterback Dak Prescott has become the face of the Bulldogs offense and one of the faces of college football.

With good reason too: Prescott is one of the game’s most dynamic players and a strong contender for the Heisman Trophy. But Saturday afternoon, junior tailback Josh Robinson showed that Prescott isn't the only one capable of carrying the offensive load for the Bulldogs.

While No. 1 Mississippi State was pushed by Kentucky in a 45-31 win, Robinson put together a career-high 198 rushing yards, including two of the best runs we’ve seen this season.

While Prescott had another solid game (216 passing yards on 18 of 33 attempts, one touchdown and one interception, plus 88 rushing yards and two rushing scores), he was clearly banged up after taking a helmet to his knee. That knock made him limp to the sidelines several times.

Saturday was a sign that Prescott doesn’t have to propel State’s offense forward all by himself.

Robinson entered as State’s leading rusher, and this marked his fourth 100-yard rushing game of the season. He had 197 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries in the Bulldogs’ breakthrough 34-29 win at LSU.

On Saturday, the 5’9”, 215-pounder showed national viewers just what he can do if given the opportunity.

With the Bulldogs holding a 24-17 third-quarter lead and backed up inside their own 20, Robinson provided a spark. He was met in the backfield by a host of Kentucky defenders but cut back right and broke at least seven tackles on his way to a 22-yard gain. That sparked a quick drive that helped MSU push its lead back to two touchdowns.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Wildcats had again cut the lead to a touchdown when Robinson struck once more, taking a 3rd-and-1 at the MSU 27 for a rumbling, demoralizing 73-yard touchdown run.

Robinson is a powerful, physical runner who is very tough for opposing linebackers to bring down—the perfect complement to Prescott’s power-running style, he told Gary Graves of the Associated Press. 

"It helps the offense so much,'' Prescott said. "It helps out the run game with myself and the passing game. They have to respect Josh on the run because I can potentially run as well.''

The Bulldogs (7-0, 4-0 SEC) still have games left at Top Five teams Alabama and Ole Miss. They’ll need a balanced, productive offense to survive those games and push for a College Football Playoff bid.
With Robinson in the fold, they have the running game necessary to do just that.