Banks ties MSU record for career interceptions

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Mississippi State defensive back Johnthan Banks looks down field after an interception. Banks now has 16 career interceptions which ties a school record. (Photo by Kim Murrell, SDN)

The interceptions just keep coming for Mississippi State defensive back and former East Webster High School player Johnthan Banks.

When Banks picked off Middle Tennessee quarterback Logan Kilgore in the third quarter of Saturday night's 45-3 MSU victory, it was a history-making moment for the Maben native.

It was the 16th career interception for Banks, which tied Walt Harris for the most in school history. The record has stood for 17 years.

For the Bulldogs, the play came at a good time as they took advantage of the turnover to score their third touchdown of the game and increased the lead to 24-3.

"That interception kind of sealed the deal," MSU coach Dan Mullen said. "You really don't know until you look back on that moment, but it sealed the deal. He's made plays all year for us."

Banks, who also tied David Amerson of North Carolina State for the interception lead among active FBS players, left the game with an injury and didn't return.

Mullen said he only twisted his knee and should be OK.

"We saw that he was fine and we shut him down for the rest of the night," Mullen said.

Russell's numbers
 
MSU junior quarterback Tyler Russell tied former teammate Chris Relf for fifth-most career touchdown passes in school history with 28.

Russell is one of just three FBS signal callers with 15-plus passing touchdowns and less than two interceptions this season. The other two are Colby Cameron of Louisiana Tech and A.J. McCarron of Alabama.

Russell and McCarron will go head-to-head next Saturday when the Bulldogs take on the Tide in Tuscaloosa, Ala. at 7:30 p.m.

Also, Russell passed former MSU signal caller Omarr Conner for ninth in career passing yards with 3,266.

Smith's success
 
Bulldog senior wide receiver Chris Smith achieved a career-high with seven catches, including a career-best two touchdown receptions.

He became the first MSU player with three or more catches in five-straight games since Chad Bumphis did in in seven-consecutive games from Nov. 21, 2009 to OCt. 9, 2010.

No shut outs
under Mullen

Mullen has yet to be shut out in 45 games as Mississippi State's head coach.
That run ties him for the third-longest without being shut out in school history with former coach Jackie Sherrill 1997 to 2001.

The two better stretches were 90 from 1978-1986 and 76 from 1990-97.

Scoring offense

With the 45 points scored by the offense, MSU has gotten 25 or more points in seven-straight games for the first time in school history.

Another sellout

The announced attendance for MSU's homecoming game was 55,108.
It was the 21st consecutive sellout at Davis Wade Stadium.

Plummer in the house

Former MSU player Bruce Plummer was recognized as the honorary captain for the Middle Tennessee game.

Plummer was a defensive back with the Bulldogs from 1983-86.
"It feels good to always come back home," Plummer said on the Mississippi State Radio Network pregame show.

After his MSU career, Plummer was drafted in the ninth round (250th pick overall) by the Denver Broncos in the 1987 National Football League draft. He played with Denver (1987-88, 90), the Miami Dolphins (1988), the Indianapolis Colts (1989) and the San Diego Chargers (1990) during his professional career.

Plummer was a part of Super Bowl 22 as a member of the Broncos.

Coin toss losses

The Bulldogs have not won a toss in its seven games this season.