Cross, Thomas Earn SEC Weekly Awards
October 25, 2021 | Football
Bulldogs earn honors after helping put up a season-best 522 yards of offense against Vanderbilt.
STARKVILLE – After helping Mississippi State to a 45-6 win over Vanderbilt, a pair of Bulldogs were chosen for Southeastern Conference weekly awards on Monday.
Left Tackle Charles Cross was selected as the SEC's Offensive Lineman of the Week, while wide receiver Rara Thomas was named the league's Freshman of the Week. Both Cross and Thomas were key components for MSU as the Bulldogs put up a season-high 522 yards of offense against the Commodores.
For Cross, it's his second Offensive Lineman of the Week honor of this season. He previously won the award following MSU's win over NC State last month.
It's Thomas' first-ever selection for an SEC weekly award. Overall, Mississippi State now has four total weekly accolades from the conference this season.
Cross led State with an 80.6 offensive grade per Pro Football Focus, behind 83.2 run blocking and 78.1 pass blocking grades. The redshirt sophomore out of Laurel, Miss., was not penalized all game long and didn't allow a sack over 81 snaps, including 66 snaps in pass protection.
With Cross keeping Vanderbilt at bay, MSU passed for 463 yards, a total that stands fourth in school history for any one game. Overall, State completed 47 passes to 13 different receivers.
One of those pass catchers was Thomas. The first-year Bulldog out of Eufaula, Ala., was targeted six times and set new career highs with five receptions and 52 yards. He had a career-long 28-yard catch, along with his first career touchdown. Thomas ended the day averaging 10.4 yards per reception.
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