It’s a Dunn Deal for Mississippi St.

AUBURN, Ala. —  A good scheme from Joe Lee Dunn can make even the best offense look bad.

The Mississippi State defensive coordinator came up with a doozy Saturday in the Bulldogs’ 20-0 upset of No. 11 Auburn.

Just about every pass-rush package imaginable was thrown at Auburn quarterback Dameyune Craig, who had four interceptions--one resulting in Anthony Derricks’ 90-yard return for a touchdown.

“We blitzed more than ever for this game,” said cornerback Kendall Roberson, who had two interceptions. “Coach Dunn told us that if you let Craig stand back there, he’ll pick you apart. But if you can get to him, he’ll throw it up there. Coach felt we could get three or four picks today.”

Auburn, 7-2 overall and 4-2 in the Southeastern Conference, went scoreless for the first time in 55 games.

Mississippi State (6-2, 3-2) was a 17-point underdog in this game but is in position to win the SEC West championship with victories in its last three games against Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi.

The Bulldog defense, ranked 11th in the 12-team SEC against the pass, got inside Craig’s head early.

On the game’s first play, Mississippi Staterushed just two men into the Auburn shotgun, but followed with a corner blitz and an all-out linebacker blitz on the same series, letting Craig know he would never see a predictable pattern.

Craig was sacked only twice, but was hit at least a dozen times and forced into countless bad throws. He finished 30-of-52 passing for 270 yards.

Auburn also finished with minus-3 yards rushing--its second negative performance in three weeks.