Photo by: Austin Perryman/MSU Athletics
Leach Seeks Improvement In Second Scrimmage
August 19, 2021 | Football
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State coach Mike Leach used some variation of the word "improve" a total of 10 times during his post-practice interview on Thursday.
Improvement is exactly what Leach is hoping to have from the Bulldogs when they go back inside Davis Wade Stadium on Saturday to hold their second scrimmage of the fall.
"We'd like to see steady improvement from the first one," Leach said. "Then we'll head into what we call mock game week where all the periods are the same as game week because then we have to make some decisions. We'd like to be in a good position to do that and really have a really crisp, well-executed scrimmage."
There was plenty of back-and-forth between the offense and defense during MSU's first scrimmage last week, which has mirrored how even the two units have battled through the first two weeks of camp.
"Ideally, you want them trading plays," Leach said. "If one side dominates it may be good for that side and maybe they did a heck of a job, but it means you're struggling (on the other side). You'd like to trade plays instead of long streaks."
Even Thursday's practice saw each side of the ball celebrate its share of success, even though half of the session had to be spent inside the Palmeiro Center due to inclement weather.
"Today I thought we kind of traded blows on both sides," Leach said. "Nobody really got the momentum for too long."
The position group that Leach challenged the most following the first scrimmage was his offensive line. Although the O-line returns three starters from 2020, there has been some shakeup in the trenches during the offseason.
Kameron Jones and Kwatrivous Johnson both started games at right tackle a year ago but have shifted inside to left and right guard respectively. Also on the move is LaQuinston Sharp, who is now taking most of the first team reps at center after playing guard for most of his career.
Scott Lashley is working at right tackle after missing all last season with an injury leaving left tackle Charles Cross, who started 10 games at the position in 2020.
"Charles has been steady, but he was pretty steady last year," Leach said. "Kam Jones, we flipped him to the other side and he does some real good stuff and is athletic and bigger than he was. Sharp has really done a good job at center. He's very strong and very solid. He's starting to do a good job leading that group.
"A lot of times with offensive linemen, you want them to gain weight. Dollar Bill (Johnson), we wanted him to lose weight and he did. He's in better shape and is more mobile. He does some good things and is starting to carve out a role for himself (at right guard). (Scott) Lashley is a pretty athletic guy and is starting to get comfortable at right tackle."
Leach believes his team improved across the board after entering last season with no prior experience in the offensive or defensive scheme due to spring practices being canceled.
"I think both sides are better than last year, up by a significant margin," Leach said.
State will have a shot to showcase that improvement during Saturday's scrimmage at 11:15 a.m., which is closed to the public. Fans will have their fopportunity to see the Bulldogs for the first time on Sept. 4 when they host Louisiana Tech to kickoff the season.
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Improvement is exactly what Leach is hoping to have from the Bulldogs when they go back inside Davis Wade Stadium on Saturday to hold their second scrimmage of the fall.
"We'd like to see steady improvement from the first one," Leach said. "Then we'll head into what we call mock game week where all the periods are the same as game week because then we have to make some decisions. We'd like to be in a good position to do that and really have a really crisp, well-executed scrimmage."
There was plenty of back-and-forth between the offense and defense during MSU's first scrimmage last week, which has mirrored how even the two units have battled through the first two weeks of camp.
"Ideally, you want them trading plays," Leach said. "If one side dominates it may be good for that side and maybe they did a heck of a job, but it means you're struggling (on the other side). You'd like to trade plays instead of long streaks."
Even Thursday's practice saw each side of the ball celebrate its share of success, even though half of the session had to be spent inside the Palmeiro Center due to inclement weather.
"Today I thought we kind of traded blows on both sides," Leach said. "Nobody really got the momentum for too long."
The position group that Leach challenged the most following the first scrimmage was his offensive line. Although the O-line returns three starters from 2020, there has been some shakeup in the trenches during the offseason.
Kameron Jones and Kwatrivous Johnson both started games at right tackle a year ago but have shifted inside to left and right guard respectively. Also on the move is LaQuinston Sharp, who is now taking most of the first team reps at center after playing guard for most of his career.
Scott Lashley is working at right tackle after missing all last season with an injury leaving left tackle Charles Cross, who started 10 games at the position in 2020.
"Charles has been steady, but he was pretty steady last year," Leach said. "Kam Jones, we flipped him to the other side and he does some real good stuff and is athletic and bigger than he was. Sharp has really done a good job at center. He's very strong and very solid. He's starting to do a good job leading that group.
"A lot of times with offensive linemen, you want them to gain weight. Dollar Bill (Johnson), we wanted him to lose weight and he did. He's in better shape and is more mobile. He does some good things and is starting to carve out a role for himself (at right guard). (Scott) Lashley is a pretty athletic guy and is starting to get comfortable at right tackle."
Leach believes his team improved across the board after entering last season with no prior experience in the offensive or defensive scheme due to spring practices being canceled.
"I think both sides are better than last year, up by a significant margin," Leach said.
State will have a shot to showcase that improvement during Saturday's scrimmage at 11:15 a.m., which is closed to the public. Fans will have their fopportunity to see the Bulldogs for the first time on Sept. 4 when they host Louisiana Tech to kickoff the season.
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