National Honors Continue To Roll in For MSU Football
November 08, 2016 | Football
STARKVILLE, Miss. – National honors continue to pour in following Mississippi State's 35-28 victory over No. 4 Texas A&M last Saturday in Davis Wade Stadium.
The Bulldogs (4-5, 2-3 SEC) scored 28 first-half points and racked up 574 yards of total offense to tally their first victory over a Top 10 team since 2014. It was MSU's fourth win over a Top 10 team since the start of 2014, a mark that ranks second in the league behind only Alabama's eight.
State rushed for 365 yards – its most in a conference game since 1994 against Kentucky – and quarterback Nick Fitzgerald accounted for 391 yards of total offense and four touchdowns. The sophomore became just the third SEC quarterback in the last 20 years to pass for over 200 yards and rush for over 175 yards in a game, joining Cam Newton and Johnny Manziel.
Fitzgerald was named SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts, while junior offensive tackle Martinas Rankin was recognized as the SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week
Fitzgerald has tallied at least two rushing touchdowns in four straight games, a first by an MSU player since at least 1970. He's accounted for 927 yards of total offense and 11 scores in the last two games.
MSU travels to Tuscaloosa this Saturday to face top-ranked Alabama at 11 a.m. CT on ESPN.
FWAA National Team of the Week
The Bulldogs were the recipient of the Football Writers Association's National Team of the Week. It's the third time MSU has earned the honor and the first since an also unranked Bulldog team defeated No. 8 LSU, 34-29, in Baton Rouge on Sept. 20, 2014. MSU claimed the honor following a 38-31 victory over Florida on Oct. 23, 2004.
Dan Mullen Bobby Dodd Trophy National Coach of the Week
Head coach Dan Mullen was recognized as the Bobby Dodd Trophy National Coach of the Week. The Dodd Coach of the Week Award honors the football coach whose program embodies the award's three pillars of scholarship, leadership and integrity, while also having success on the playing field during the previous week. Mullen, who was coaching in his 99th game at MSU, recorded his fourth victory over a Top 10 team in the past three seasons.
Fitzgerald on Davey O'Brien "Great 8" List
Fitzgerald earned a spot on the Davey O'Brien Award's "Great 8" list this week, joining eight other quarterbacks. The national quarterback of the week will be announced Wednesday.
Ross an Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award National Player of the Week Honorable Mention
Fred Ross has been spectacular, and he hauled in two touchdowns to be recognized on the honorable mention list for Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award National Player of the Week. The accolade recognizes the top offensive player who hails from the state of Texas. Ross continues to lead the SEC in receiving touchdowns (9) and he's second in catches (54). He heads into the Alabama game 18 yards shy of shattering another MSU career receiving record. The Tyler, Texas, native already owns school records for catches and 100-yard games.
Fitzgerald a Manning Award "Star of the Week"
Fitzgerald was named a Manning Award "Star of the Week" for his four-touchdown performance against the Aggies. He was one of eight players on the list. Fans can vote for the Manning Award's Player of the Week by clicking the link above. The award will be announced at 11 a.m. Thursday.
Brian Johnson Named National Quarterback Coach of the Week by CoachingSearch.com
Third-year MSU assistant coach Brian Johnson was recognized as the national quarterback coach of the week by CoachingSearch.com. Johnson, who has worked exclusively with the quarterbacks since 2014, even called some of the plays during the Bulldogs' victory over No. 4 Texas A&M.
The Bulldogs (4-5, 2-3 SEC) scored 28 first-half points and racked up 574 yards of total offense to tally their first victory over a Top 10 team since 2014. It was MSU's fourth win over a Top 10 team since the start of 2014, a mark that ranks second in the league behind only Alabama's eight.
State rushed for 365 yards – its most in a conference game since 1994 against Kentucky – and quarterback Nick Fitzgerald accounted for 391 yards of total offense and four touchdowns. The sophomore became just the third SEC quarterback in the last 20 years to pass for over 200 yards and rush for over 175 yards in a game, joining Cam Newton and Johnny Manziel.
Fitzgerald was named SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts, while junior offensive tackle Martinas Rankin was recognized as the SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week
Fitzgerald has tallied at least two rushing touchdowns in four straight games, a first by an MSU player since at least 1970. He's accounted for 927 yards of total offense and 11 scores in the last two games.
MSU travels to Tuscaloosa this Saturday to face top-ranked Alabama at 11 a.m. CT on ESPN.
FWAA National Team of the Week
The Bulldogs were the recipient of the Football Writers Association's National Team of the Week. It's the third time MSU has earned the honor and the first since an also unranked Bulldog team defeated No. 8 LSU, 34-29, in Baton Rouge on Sept. 20, 2014. MSU claimed the honor following a 38-31 victory over Florida on Oct. 23, 2004.
Dan Mullen Bobby Dodd Trophy National Coach of the Week
Head coach Dan Mullen was recognized as the Bobby Dodd Trophy National Coach of the Week. The Dodd Coach of the Week Award honors the football coach whose program embodies the award's three pillars of scholarship, leadership and integrity, while also having success on the playing field during the previous week. Mullen, who was coaching in his 99th game at MSU, recorded his fourth victory over a Top 10 team in the past three seasons.
Fitzgerald on Davey O'Brien "Great 8" List
Fitzgerald earned a spot on the Davey O'Brien Award's "Great 8" list this week, joining eight other quarterbacks. The national quarterback of the week will be announced Wednesday.
Ross an Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award National Player of the Week Honorable Mention
Fred Ross has been spectacular, and he hauled in two touchdowns to be recognized on the honorable mention list for Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award National Player of the Week. The accolade recognizes the top offensive player who hails from the state of Texas. Ross continues to lead the SEC in receiving touchdowns (9) and he's second in catches (54). He heads into the Alabama game 18 yards shy of shattering another MSU career receiving record. The Tyler, Texas, native already owns school records for catches and 100-yard games.
Fitzgerald a Manning Award "Star of the Week"
Fitzgerald was named a Manning Award "Star of the Week" for his four-touchdown performance against the Aggies. He was one of eight players on the list. Fans can vote for the Manning Award's Player of the Week by clicking the link above. The award will be announced at 11 a.m. Thursday.
Brian Johnson Named National Quarterback Coach of the Week by CoachingSearch.com
Third-year MSU assistant coach Brian Johnson was recognized as the national quarterback coach of the week by CoachingSearch.com. Johnson, who has worked exclusively with the quarterbacks since 2014, even called some of the plays during the Bulldogs' victory over No. 4 Texas A&M.
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