STARKVILLE – Make it three games in a row. Mississippi State football played a top-15 opponent and gave them a tough fight in the second half.

That was hard to imagine the last time the Bulldogs played at Davis Wade Stadium. It was a month ago when they had just lost to Florida 45-28, but had also lost starting quarterback Blake Shapen to a season-ending injury. Coach Jeff Lebby's first season spiraled out of control after just four games.

But Saturday's 34-24 loss to No. 14 Texas A&M (6-1, 4-0 SEC) was further evidence that MSU (1-6, 0-4) is improving. It also showed that MSU isn't ready to win yet. It's getting closer and closer, but this is already the sixth defeat in a row.

This time, missed opportunities – like missed interceptions and an insanely wrong punt – made the difference.

“We’ve gotten better,” Lebby said afterwards. “I don't think there's any doubt about it. I think sometimes we start to find some identity. We have to create more consistency. We have to be able to persevere. We have to make a move that can change the outcome of the game. That’s the stress.”

What Jeff Lebby said about fake punt

One of the most scrutinized plays occurred in the third quarter when MSU attempted a fake punt. It was a fourth-and-8 at MSU's 30-yard line when Texas A&M held a 24-17 lead.

The play was a direct snap to freshman running back Xavier Gayten, who only made it 2 yards. Texas A&M regained possession and scored a touchdown five plays later.

“It was really a big turning point in the game,” Lebby said. “I had a great feeling about the fakery all week. We loved the look we got. We figured 10 (yards) or less, no matter where it was, as long as we weren't inside our own 20-yard line or it was really egregious, we would give it a chance.

“I had a good feeling about it again. Looking back, it’s clear that I’m going to be quarterbacking myself on Monday morning for a long time and I’m not going to get over that for a long time because of the way it worked out.”

The MSU defense dropped interceptions and was weak on third down

Aggies quarterback Conner Weigman was phenomenal on the first drive, completing 6 of 7 throws en route to a touchdown. After that, he was rather sluggish and had a lot of turnover plays.

Mississippi State threw two interceptions. Zakari Tillman's was the biggest, setting MSU up at Texas A&M's 12-yard line early in the fourth quarter. MSU scored a touchdown soon after, cutting the game to one point.

Nic Mitchell and Corey Ellington both had interception opportunities on the same drive in the second half but were unable to make the catch. Both pieces might have also opted for a pick-six. Texas A&M finally kicked a field goal. It was a particular blow for the Bulldogs as they only had 94 total yards in the second half.

MORE: Mario Craver injury update: Mississippi State football WR heads to the locker room vs. Texas A&M

Mississippi State also didn't have a sack for the fourth time this season.

Perhaps the biggest problem, however, was that Texas A&M converted 9 of 14 third downs, the most the Bulldogs had allowed all season. The defense was often able to get off the field but couldn't get another stop.

And until they figure out how to exploit their opponents' slip-ups, the losses will continue.

“What I hate is these old people standing in the room saying this is their last year,” Lebby said. “The disappointment is that they're helping to lay the foundation for something that, again, I'm not more confident about where we want to go, but they're not comfortable at the moment.

“And therein lies my frustration. I hate that these guys fight every day for the state, for us, for me and don't feel good about it. I want to give them the opportunity to do that.”

Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X @sklarsam_.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jeff Lebby's fake punt, Mississippi State defense costly against Texas A&M