2023-09-22 05:13:57
Mississippi State Athletics
Football
September 22, 2023
Joel Coleman, Senior Writer
A quick look at 10 items of interest ahead of the Bulldogs’ battle against the Gamecocks.
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STARKVILLE – It’s a bounce-back opportunity for Mississippi State.
Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m., MSU has a road tilt at South Carolina as the Bulldogs look to get back on the winning track. That much you know. However, there are several things you might not.
So, let’s have a look at 10 items to be aware of headed into State’s showdown against the Gamecocks:
Mississippi State and South Carolina haven’t seen each other all that much through the years. The two schools have only met on the gridiron 16 previous times prior to Saturday’s matchup. Oddly enough, the Bulldogs have shut out the Gamecocks in nearly 20 percent of the two teams’ prior meetings. State blanked South Carolina 23-0 in 1993, 38-0 in 1998 and 17-0 in 1999.
The last time the Dawgs and the Gamecocks squared off, MSU rolled back in 2016. State built a 24-0 lead by halftime on the way to a 27-14 triumph in Starkville. Bulldog quarterback Nick Fitzgerald had a huge day, passing for 178 yards and two touchdowns. He also added on 195 rushing yards. Wide receiver Fred Ross was also key in the victory. Not only did he haul in a 6-yard touchdown pass from Fitzgerald, but he also threw the football to fellow wide receiver Donald Gray for a 17-yard score.
There’ll be a very prominent tie between State and South Carolina on Saturday. Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer spent three years as an MSU assistant from 2004 through 2006. It was his first-ever full-time coaching gig as he worked with State’s cornerbacks, running backs and served as the program’s recruiting coordinator over his time in Starkville.
Beamer’s best MSU recruiting job might’ve been his now-wife Emily. Emily is a Starkville native whose parents still make their home in town. She also is a former Bulldog herself, as she once helped out on the sports information staff.
Bulldog running back Jo’Quavious Marks enters Saturday’s action as the Southeastern Conference’s leading man…at least as far as rushing yardage goes. The senior better known as Woody tops the league with his 325 yards on the ground. He’s also tied for third in the conference with his three rushing touchdowns. Marks’ 108.3 yards-per-game average also leads the SEC and is the 11th-best mark in the country.
Speaking of Marks, in case you missed it last week, he caught his 200th career pass in Maroon and White. The catch moved Marks past Fred Ross into the top spot in Mississippi State history for career receptions. With three more catches, Marks will move into the top 10 in SEC history for career receptions.
If you take a look at the leading tacklers in the SEC this season, you’ll see a pair of familiar names. State linebackers Jett Johnson and Nathaniel Watson, who led the league in takedowns a season ago, are currently tied for the top spot this year. Watson and Johnson both have 31 tackles entering play against South Carolina. Bulldog cornerback Decamerion Richardson is also in the SEC’s Top 10 with his 22 tackles.
On the topic of defense, a takeaway or two could certainly help Mississippi State’s cause in South Carolina. Recent history says the Bulldogs have a good chance of getting at least one. Since Zach Arnett first arrived in Starkville before the 2020 season, MSU has recorded at least one takeaway in 32 of its last 40 games. State has 63 total takeaways in that time and is tied with Alabama for the SEC lead in takeaways over that span.
On the offensive side of the ball, keep an eye on State quarterback Will Rogers Saturday as he continues to elevate himself into rarefied air. Rogers needs just 21 more passing yards to pass Peyton Manning and climb into fifth place all-time in career passing yardage in the entire SEC. With just 33 more passing yards, Rogers would leapfrog both Manning and Chris Leak into fourth place all-time. One more touchdown pass would also put Rogers in the top five in SEC history for career scoring tosses.
Finally, Mississippi State is looking to accomplish something Saturday that has become pretty commonplace for the Bulldogs. A victory in South Carolina would make MSU 3-1 for the year. It would be the third straight year for State to win three of its first four games, and it’d be the fifth time the Dawgs have done so in the last six seasons.
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