Following the game, head coach Joe Moorhead named senior center Darryl Williams and junior linebacker Erroll Thompson team captains as voted by their teammates.
Maroon Tops White in Spring Game
April 13, 2019 | Football
by Brandon Langlois, Associate Director/Communications
STARKVILLE – Spring football came to a close at Mississippi State on Saturday as the Maroon team topped the White squad 50-10 in the annual Maroon and White Game at Davis Wade Stadium.
Following the game, head coach Joe Moorhead named senior center Darryl Williams and junior linebacker Erroll Thompson team captains as voted by their teammates.
Junior quarterback Keytaon Thompson started for the Maroon team and completed 9 of 18 passes for 106 yards and three touchdowns. His longest completion of the day was a 25-yard strike to redshirt freshman tight end Geor'quarius Spivey that set up a 5-yard scoring toss to sophomore wide receiver Austin Williams to give the Maroon squad a 30-10 lead early in the second half. It was Williams' second touchdown reception of the game.
Thompson spread his nine completions among six different receivers. Williams, sophomore Devonta Jason and junior Osirus Mitchell all led the way with a pair of catches apiece. Mitchell hauled in a 5-yard touchdown pass from Thompson during the game's final drive.
For the White squad, early enrollee Garrett Shrader was 3-of-9 passing for 30 yards, while redshirt freshman Jalen Mayden went 3-for-4 for 14 yards. Shrader and Mayden both were picked off once.
On the ground, the Maroon team running backs combined for 82 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 17 attempts. Junior Kylin Hill rushed a game-high nine times for 47 yards and a 1-yard score, and senior Nick Gibson had 35 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries.
Defensively, junior defensive end Marquiss Spencer, senior defensive tackle Lee Autry and redshirt freshman defensive tackle Fabien Lovett tied for the Maroon team lead in tackles with three. Spencer and senior safety Brian Cole each recorded one tackle for loss. Redshirt freshman Aaron Brule played for both squads, totaling five tackles, including one half for a loss. Brule also returned an interception 53 yards for a score in the second half for the Maroon team.
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow MSU football on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateFB."
Below are quotes from Coach Moorhead and select student-athletes:
Head Coach Joe Moorhead
Opening Statement
JM: "Certainly, first and foremost, I want to thank the fans who braved the elements and braved the forecasts. I got an amateur degree in meteorology the last couple of days. I didn't know there where so many websites the predicted weather but good Lord willing it [the rain] held off. We have two great events going on now with the baseball game and the spring game and a bunch of other stuff on campus. Certainly, our ex-players like Chris Jones and all the current and former alumni. I think it was a good day. We were certainly very excited. I thought in terms of spring games and the format was disjointed, but it is what we needed to do based on our numbers in certain positions. I thought we got a lot out of it. We walked off the field better than we walked on it."
Q: What about tight ends depth this spring?
JM: "With Farrod [Green] running with the ones, and Dontea [Jones] is a guy that has played some ball and done some nice things in games. [Geor'quarius] Spivey had a couple of nice catches today. The guy who is as talented as any of them [Brad Cumbest] had two hits and a couple of runs scored yesterday. We have mentioned our o-line as being real deep and our linebacking core as being real deep and talented. I think the tight ends are right there with that."
Q: What about captains?
JM: "Our thought process for captains is that we name two after spring ball so that we can head into summer where it is more player driven and player oriented. I saw something online the other day where a coach said, I am not sure where he is from, Nebraska maybe, that bad teams have no leadership, good teams are led by coaches and great teams are led by players. So, we had the vote. It was an overwhelming majority for both of these guys. It was Darryl Williams for the offense and Erroll Thompson for the defense. I thought the team did a good job. We talked about what the parameters were and how you identify leadership and what they need to do for their team. I had those guys talk to the team afterwards. I think the team did an excellent job in the selection process, and they picked the right two guys."
Q: Where do you feel like you all are with the defensive tackle position this spring?
JM: "I think we're young and we're talented. Certainly, losing Kendell [Jones] early in the spring did not help matters. Lee [Autry] and Fabien [Lovett] are running with the ones. You have Devon [Robinson] and Cameron [Young] and those other guys. We've got some help on the way with talented players. We discussed that losing two starters and then your three primary backups is a lot of depth. I think the pieces are in place, but we need to get a bunch of reps in to get ready for the fall and SEC play."
Q: Now that spring has concluded, how pleased are you with how Garrett [Shrader] developed?
JM: "He and Jalen [Mayden]. I think you saw a little glimpse of what occurred in the spring. They're incredibly talented. I think the speed of the game is something that they have to get used to. He threw that corner ball in the back up against the defense and got it in there to Cameron [Gardner], who got a couple of nice plays. The great thing about those two guys is that the talent is there. There is an increased understanding of what they need to succeed at this level from a mental preparation standpoint. They have a lot of 7-on-7 reps that they're going to do on their own over the summer and then in the fall. I think the great thing is that they can do it, we just have to get them ready."
Q: How effective do you think Austin Williams can continue to be in the red zone and overall as a receiver?
JM: "He and Deddrick [Thomas] are in the slot position. They bring two different skill sets. Deddrick [Thomas] is more of a smaller body, shift gear and has a quicker change of direction. I think what helps Austin [Williams] is that he is not as fast. He's not as explosive. He has a lot of savviness and a lot of understanding of how to run routes. His depth helps to set people up. The challenge for him is to increase his speed in order to create separation. When he has time, space and air in the zone, those are the kinds of things that are the most effective. We just have to work on him being able to run away from man coverage."
Q: How encouraging is it to see the secondary linebackers getting on the balls and getting in front of guys?
JM: "For all of the great things we did last year defensively, leading the SEC in scoring defense, the most fiscal of categories of the one with Coach Shoop. We've talked about, as a staff, increasing the number of turnovers that we produce. We got two of those today. We're blessed to find a group of linebackers that are deeper in the SEC and in the country, with Erroll [Thompson], Willie [Gay], Leo [Lewis] and Tim Washington. If you count the starters, Brian Cole and Sh'mar [Kilby-Lane] are really coming on. That's what's most encouraging to me. With the amount of junior college players we take and are pressed to do things immediately, we would like to use a redshirt on them. Year two is when we see a lot of maturation and improvement. I think Shamar [Kilby-Lane] really stepped in this spring and played some football."
Sr. OL Darryl Williams
Q: How proud are you to be the team captain?
DW: "It is a humbling experience knowing that I have to make sure guys are in the right place at the right time, like I did as the center."
Q: Were you surprised when you found out you were a team captain?
DW: "I was surprised. Knowing that those guys look up to me to be one of the team captains of this team, a vocal leader, and able to hold people accountable."
Q: What do you feel like the offensive line got accomplished this spring and what do you feel like you need to accomplish this summer?
DW: "I feel like we took a great step in the pass blocking area. I feel like we need to improve a little bit more on stuff like bumping of twists. I think we have to improve with our feet. I felt like we did pretty well this spring we just have to improve a little bit more."
Q: Do you think the depth on the offensive line is a little bit better this year?
DW: "I think the depth is pretty good. We have (Tommy) Champion and (Micheal Story). Those guys have been vets. Those guys are ready to step up to the challenge."
Q: Is it humbling for an offensive lineman to be the captain?
DW: "I had to step into that roll being the center. I've got to get those guys doing the right thing at the right time to make those kinds of plays."
Q: How did they let you know you were selected as a team captain?
DW: "They just let me know in the locker room after the game. Everybody threw water on me."
Q: How good can this offense be?
DW: "This offense can be pretty good. We just have to continually develop from last year to this future year. This offense is going to be good."
Jr. LB Erroll Thompson
Q: What type of honor was it that your teammates picked you out of everybody on the team?
ET: "It really is a tremendous honor. I didn't have a clue. I really appreciate them for trusting me to lead the way. I have to trust those guys also."
Q: Do you feel like this is something you have been building towards? With last year is it a long time coming type of thing?
ET: "I believe so, yes sir. I believe the mike linebacker has to be one of the most vocal leaders, not just the outright leader of the whole team."
Q: Do you think about the guys whose footsteps you are following?
ET: "I do. I was actually just in the shower thinking about Dez (Harris) and Gerri (Green). I was thinking about how those guys kind of molded me for this time and this opportunity."
Q: How well would you say you understand this type of defense, the second year under Coach (Bob) Shoop?
ET:"110 percent. When Coach Shoop was joking with me he told me he was going to let me call the second half of the spring game. He didn't let me, but you know."
Q: A lot of the guys who are starting in front of you are different than the guys last year. How do you feel the new guys have stepped into that roll?
ET: "I feel like those guys are taking everything day by day. They are getting better. The young guys Fabien Lovett, Lee (Autry) isn't a young guy but it's his first time starting and he's doing great. All the young guys, the whole D-Line, is stepping up."
Q:How good was it to see a young guy like Aaron Brule get out there and make some plays?
ET: "It is great. Brule has been elevating every day of the spring. Y'all probably have seen it but he has dropped a few picks, for him to get in the end zone with that one was great, great."
Q:How good is this linebacker unit?
ET: "I feel like we are the best in the nation. We still have a lot of work to do but Coach (Chris) Marve is pushing us, Coach (Bob) Shoop is pushing us. I feel we have the guys that are literally the best in the nation."
Q: When you hear Coach Shoop say the linebackers are the strength of this team, do you take it as a privilege a responsibility or a challenge?
ET: "Really a little bit of both, we know every day we have to step up to meet those expectations Coach Shoop has for us."
Sr. S Brian Cole
Q: How did it feel today?
BC: "It felt great to be back out there with my guys. I got injured last year, so it just feels good to be back on the field."
Q: How tough is it to dial it back during a spring game?
BC: "It's easy because our linebackers and our defensive line has got the juice. We just try to always bring that same energy."
Q: Have any of the young guys stood out to you?
BC: "They have come a long way. Jalen [Mayden] is getting better in his reads and progression across the field. We're just taking steps forward just baby steps and little wind."
Q: How would you grade the secondary this spring?
BC: "A B+ because we're never perfect, and we can always improve. We didn't have enough turnovers."
Jr. QB Keytaon Thompson
Q: What are your thoughts on the spring in general?
KT: "I feel like the spring has been alright to me. I had a really good spring and it was a lot better than last year. In all three phases I just feel like getting that second year under coach Moorhead and being more comfortable with the system and plays that he's trying to do."
Q: What worked for you today?
KT: "We kind of just settled down and realized we've still got to play football. It was kind wet out there. There were a lot of things like you said, a lot stop and go, which was a weird format of the spring game. We have to learn to just fight through those things and still execute at a high level."
Q: How slick was the ball out there?
KT: "It was slick, but our guys did a good job mixing the balls up and getting us a drive so it was okay."
Q: What have you seen out of the guys under you this spring?
KT: "They are getting a lot better. Garrett [Shrader] is in his first year, so there is a lot more room of improvement for him. From the first practice until this spring game, I feel like Garrett has done really well. Jalen [Mayden] has worked hard. He's been developing since last year. I feel like both of those guys are really good and capable."
STARKVILLE – Spring football came to a close at Mississippi State on Saturday as the Maroon team topped the White squad 50-10 in the annual Maroon and White Game at Davis Wade Stadium.
Following the game, head coach Joe Moorhead named senior center Darryl Williams and junior linebacker Erroll Thompson team captains as voted by their teammates.
Junior quarterback Keytaon Thompson started for the Maroon team and completed 9 of 18 passes for 106 yards and three touchdowns. His longest completion of the day was a 25-yard strike to redshirt freshman tight end Geor'quarius Spivey that set up a 5-yard scoring toss to sophomore wide receiver Austin Williams to give the Maroon squad a 30-10 lead early in the second half. It was Williams' second touchdown reception of the game.
Thompson spread his nine completions among six different receivers. Williams, sophomore Devonta Jason and junior Osirus Mitchell all led the way with a pair of catches apiece. Mitchell hauled in a 5-yard touchdown pass from Thompson during the game's final drive.
For the White squad, early enrollee Garrett Shrader was 3-of-9 passing for 30 yards, while redshirt freshman Jalen Mayden went 3-for-4 for 14 yards. Shrader and Mayden both were picked off once.
On the ground, the Maroon team running backs combined for 82 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 17 attempts. Junior Kylin Hill rushed a game-high nine times for 47 yards and a 1-yard score, and senior Nick Gibson had 35 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries.
Defensively, junior defensive end Marquiss Spencer, senior defensive tackle Lee Autry and redshirt freshman defensive tackle Fabien Lovett tied for the Maroon team lead in tackles with three. Spencer and senior safety Brian Cole each recorded one tackle for loss. Redshirt freshman Aaron Brule played for both squads, totaling five tackles, including one half for a loss. Brule also returned an interception 53 yards for a score in the second half for the Maroon team.
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow MSU football on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateFB."
Below are quotes from Coach Moorhead and select student-athletes:
Head Coach Joe Moorhead
Opening Statement
JM: "Certainly, first and foremost, I want to thank the fans who braved the elements and braved the forecasts. I got an amateur degree in meteorology the last couple of days. I didn't know there where so many websites the predicted weather but good Lord willing it [the rain] held off. We have two great events going on now with the baseball game and the spring game and a bunch of other stuff on campus. Certainly, our ex-players like Chris Jones and all the current and former alumni. I think it was a good day. We were certainly very excited. I thought in terms of spring games and the format was disjointed, but it is what we needed to do based on our numbers in certain positions. I thought we got a lot out of it. We walked off the field better than we walked on it."
Q: What about tight ends depth this spring?
JM: "With Farrod [Green] running with the ones, and Dontea [Jones] is a guy that has played some ball and done some nice things in games. [Geor'quarius] Spivey had a couple of nice catches today. The guy who is as talented as any of them [Brad Cumbest] had two hits and a couple of runs scored yesterday. We have mentioned our o-line as being real deep and our linebacking core as being real deep and talented. I think the tight ends are right there with that."
Q: What about captains?
JM: "Our thought process for captains is that we name two after spring ball so that we can head into summer where it is more player driven and player oriented. I saw something online the other day where a coach said, I am not sure where he is from, Nebraska maybe, that bad teams have no leadership, good teams are led by coaches and great teams are led by players. So, we had the vote. It was an overwhelming majority for both of these guys. It was Darryl Williams for the offense and Erroll Thompson for the defense. I thought the team did a good job. We talked about what the parameters were and how you identify leadership and what they need to do for their team. I had those guys talk to the team afterwards. I think the team did an excellent job in the selection process, and they picked the right two guys."
Q: Where do you feel like you all are with the defensive tackle position this spring?
JM: "I think we're young and we're talented. Certainly, losing Kendell [Jones] early in the spring did not help matters. Lee [Autry] and Fabien [Lovett] are running with the ones. You have Devon [Robinson] and Cameron [Young] and those other guys. We've got some help on the way with talented players. We discussed that losing two starters and then your three primary backups is a lot of depth. I think the pieces are in place, but we need to get a bunch of reps in to get ready for the fall and SEC play."
Q: Now that spring has concluded, how pleased are you with how Garrett [Shrader] developed?
JM: "He and Jalen [Mayden]. I think you saw a little glimpse of what occurred in the spring. They're incredibly talented. I think the speed of the game is something that they have to get used to. He threw that corner ball in the back up against the defense and got it in there to Cameron [Gardner], who got a couple of nice plays. The great thing about those two guys is that the talent is there. There is an increased understanding of what they need to succeed at this level from a mental preparation standpoint. They have a lot of 7-on-7 reps that they're going to do on their own over the summer and then in the fall. I think the great thing is that they can do it, we just have to get them ready."
Q: How effective do you think Austin Williams can continue to be in the red zone and overall as a receiver?
JM: "He and Deddrick [Thomas] are in the slot position. They bring two different skill sets. Deddrick [Thomas] is more of a smaller body, shift gear and has a quicker change of direction. I think what helps Austin [Williams] is that he is not as fast. He's not as explosive. He has a lot of savviness and a lot of understanding of how to run routes. His depth helps to set people up. The challenge for him is to increase his speed in order to create separation. When he has time, space and air in the zone, those are the kinds of things that are the most effective. We just have to work on him being able to run away from man coverage."
Q: How encouraging is it to see the secondary linebackers getting on the balls and getting in front of guys?
JM: "For all of the great things we did last year defensively, leading the SEC in scoring defense, the most fiscal of categories of the one with Coach Shoop. We've talked about, as a staff, increasing the number of turnovers that we produce. We got two of those today. We're blessed to find a group of linebackers that are deeper in the SEC and in the country, with Erroll [Thompson], Willie [Gay], Leo [Lewis] and Tim Washington. If you count the starters, Brian Cole and Sh'mar [Kilby-Lane] are really coming on. That's what's most encouraging to me. With the amount of junior college players we take and are pressed to do things immediately, we would like to use a redshirt on them. Year two is when we see a lot of maturation and improvement. I think Shamar [Kilby-Lane] really stepped in this spring and played some football."
Sr. OL Darryl Williams
Q: How proud are you to be the team captain?
DW: "It is a humbling experience knowing that I have to make sure guys are in the right place at the right time, like I did as the center."
Q: Were you surprised when you found out you were a team captain?
DW: "I was surprised. Knowing that those guys look up to me to be one of the team captains of this team, a vocal leader, and able to hold people accountable."
Q: What do you feel like the offensive line got accomplished this spring and what do you feel like you need to accomplish this summer?
DW: "I feel like we took a great step in the pass blocking area. I feel like we need to improve a little bit more on stuff like bumping of twists. I think we have to improve with our feet. I felt like we did pretty well this spring we just have to improve a little bit more."
Q: Do you think the depth on the offensive line is a little bit better this year?
DW: "I think the depth is pretty good. We have (Tommy) Champion and (Micheal Story). Those guys have been vets. Those guys are ready to step up to the challenge."
Q: Is it humbling for an offensive lineman to be the captain?
DW: "I had to step into that roll being the center. I've got to get those guys doing the right thing at the right time to make those kinds of plays."
Q: How did they let you know you were selected as a team captain?
DW: "They just let me know in the locker room after the game. Everybody threw water on me."
Q: How good can this offense be?
DW: "This offense can be pretty good. We just have to continually develop from last year to this future year. This offense is going to be good."
Jr. LB Erroll Thompson
Q: What type of honor was it that your teammates picked you out of everybody on the team?
ET: "It really is a tremendous honor. I didn't have a clue. I really appreciate them for trusting me to lead the way. I have to trust those guys also."
Q: Do you feel like this is something you have been building towards? With last year is it a long time coming type of thing?
ET: "I believe so, yes sir. I believe the mike linebacker has to be one of the most vocal leaders, not just the outright leader of the whole team."
Q: Do you think about the guys whose footsteps you are following?
ET: "I do. I was actually just in the shower thinking about Dez (Harris) and Gerri (Green). I was thinking about how those guys kind of molded me for this time and this opportunity."
Q: How well would you say you understand this type of defense, the second year under Coach (Bob) Shoop?
ET:"110 percent. When Coach Shoop was joking with me he told me he was going to let me call the second half of the spring game. He didn't let me, but you know."
Q: A lot of the guys who are starting in front of you are different than the guys last year. How do you feel the new guys have stepped into that roll?
ET: "I feel like those guys are taking everything day by day. They are getting better. The young guys Fabien Lovett, Lee (Autry) isn't a young guy but it's his first time starting and he's doing great. All the young guys, the whole D-Line, is stepping up."
Q:How good was it to see a young guy like Aaron Brule get out there and make some plays?
ET: "It is great. Brule has been elevating every day of the spring. Y'all probably have seen it but he has dropped a few picks, for him to get in the end zone with that one was great, great."
Q:How good is this linebacker unit?
ET: "I feel like we are the best in the nation. We still have a lot of work to do but Coach (Chris) Marve is pushing us, Coach (Bob) Shoop is pushing us. I feel we have the guys that are literally the best in the nation."
Q: When you hear Coach Shoop say the linebackers are the strength of this team, do you take it as a privilege a responsibility or a challenge?
ET: "Really a little bit of both, we know every day we have to step up to meet those expectations Coach Shoop has for us."
Sr. S Brian Cole
Q: How did it feel today?
BC: "It felt great to be back out there with my guys. I got injured last year, so it just feels good to be back on the field."
Q: How tough is it to dial it back during a spring game?
BC: "It's easy because our linebackers and our defensive line has got the juice. We just try to always bring that same energy."
Q: Have any of the young guys stood out to you?
BC: "They have come a long way. Jalen [Mayden] is getting better in his reads and progression across the field. We're just taking steps forward just baby steps and little wind."
Q: How would you grade the secondary this spring?
BC: "A B+ because we're never perfect, and we can always improve. We didn't have enough turnovers."
Jr. QB Keytaon Thompson
Q: What are your thoughts on the spring in general?
KT: "I feel like the spring has been alright to me. I had a really good spring and it was a lot better than last year. In all three phases I just feel like getting that second year under coach Moorhead and being more comfortable with the system and plays that he's trying to do."
Q: What worked for you today?
KT: "We kind of just settled down and realized we've still got to play football. It was kind wet out there. There were a lot of things like you said, a lot stop and go, which was a weird format of the spring game. We have to learn to just fight through those things and still execute at a high level."
Q: How slick was the ball out there?
KT: "It was slick, but our guys did a good job mixing the balls up and getting us a drive so it was okay."
Q: What have you seen out of the guys under you this spring?
KT: "They are getting a lot better. Garrett [Shrader] is in his first year, so there is a lot more room of improvement for him. From the first practice until this spring game, I feel like Garrett has done really well. Jalen [Mayden] has worked hard. He's been developing since last year. I feel like both of those guys are really good and capable."
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