Photo by: Austin Perryman/MSU Athletics
Bulldogs Hold Successful Second Scrimmage
August 21, 2021 | Football
STARKVILLE – Head coaches normally want to see three things above all else in a scrimmage: improvement, balance on both sides of the ball and to remain healthy.
Mississippi State's Mike Leach was able to accomplish all of those goals on Saturday as his Bulldogs took the field for their second and final preseason scrimmage inside Davis Wade Stadium.
"I thought we improved as a team on both sides," Leach said. "I didn't think there were any long streaks that anybody got in so we kind of traded blows. I thought it was a good scrimmage."
There were plenty of plays for each side of the ball to be proud of. The offense accounted for six touchdowns (three rushing, three passing) while the defense finished with four sacks and four interceptions – two of which were returned for TDs.
"I feel like it was pretty competitive on both sides," said senior wide receiver Austin Williams, who hauled in four passes for 83 yards and a touchdown. "I think we're playing good defense and playing good offense. As coach Leach said, it wasn't so much inconsistency as it was solid play all around which made it more of a battle back and forth."
It was the defense that nabbed the initial momentum. Facing 4th-and-goal from the 1-yard line on the opening drive of the day, junior linebacker Nathaniel Watson made a diving interception of senior quarterback Chance Lovertich in the end zone.
The defense stepped up again on the next possession as sophomore safety Dylan Lawrence snagged a tipped pass from sophomore quarterback Will Rogers and raced 75 yards for a pick-6.
Following a 39-yard field goal by redshirt freshman Nolan McCord, three of MSU's quarterbacks got the offense rolling with scoring scampers on three consecutive series. Freshman Daniel Greek scored on a 2-yard run followed by a 3-yard touchdown scramble by Lovertich. Rogers capped that streak with a 2-yard TD on a read-option play that allowed him to waltz into the end zone unscathed.
After senior Brandon Ruiz drilled a 44-yard field goal, Rogers went to work through the air. He connected with Williams and junior Makai Polk on 30-yard touchdown strikes along with a 10-yard score to junior Caleb Ducking.
"I think some guys got confidence and made some plays and we kind of opened it up a little bit," Williams said.
In the midst of the offense's success throwing the ball, the defense also had reason to celebrate. Junior safety Kyle Cass stepped in front of one of Greek's passes and returned it 70-yards up the left sideline for a score.
Rogers and Lovertich received most of the reps at quarterback in both of the Bulldogs' scrimmages and Leach must now determine which signal caller will get the starting nod in the season opener.
"I think both of them have some good qualities," Leach said. "I think they're both kind of battling to stay within themselves as far as consistency. I think Will is more consistent than Chance."
Leach challenged his offensive line following the first scrimmage last Saturday and saw some improvement with that group throughout the week of practice and also in the second scrimmage.
"It's been a steady progression," Leach said. "The first group I thought did reasonably well."
Defensively, redshirt freshman linebacker Rodney Groce Jr. led the way with five tackles followed by sophomore defensive end Izuchukwu King Ani and senior linebacker Tyrus Wheat with two sacks apiece.
True freshman cornerback Jay Hampton accounted for the other interception on defense while redshirt freshman defensive end Jevon Banks and true freshman linebacker John Lewis provided tackles for loss.
State has two weeks remaining before opening the season at home against Louisiana Tech on Sept. 4 at 3 p.m.
"We're just tired of facing each other," said junior safety Collin Duncan. "We've been going at each other since really the spring and 7-on-7's during the summer. We're just ready for another opponent."
Mississippi State's Mike Leach was able to accomplish all of those goals on Saturday as his Bulldogs took the field for their second and final preseason scrimmage inside Davis Wade Stadium.
"I thought we improved as a team on both sides," Leach said. "I didn't think there were any long streaks that anybody got in so we kind of traded blows. I thought it was a good scrimmage."
There were plenty of plays for each side of the ball to be proud of. The offense accounted for six touchdowns (three rushing, three passing) while the defense finished with four sacks and four interceptions – two of which were returned for TDs.
"I feel like it was pretty competitive on both sides," said senior wide receiver Austin Williams, who hauled in four passes for 83 yards and a touchdown. "I think we're playing good defense and playing good offense. As coach Leach said, it wasn't so much inconsistency as it was solid play all around which made it more of a battle back and forth."
It was the defense that nabbed the initial momentum. Facing 4th-and-goal from the 1-yard line on the opening drive of the day, junior linebacker Nathaniel Watson made a diving interception of senior quarterback Chance Lovertich in the end zone.
The defense stepped up again on the next possession as sophomore safety Dylan Lawrence snagged a tipped pass from sophomore quarterback Will Rogers and raced 75 yards for a pick-6.
Following a 39-yard field goal by redshirt freshman Nolan McCord, three of MSU's quarterbacks got the offense rolling with scoring scampers on three consecutive series. Freshman Daniel Greek scored on a 2-yard run followed by a 3-yard touchdown scramble by Lovertich. Rogers capped that streak with a 2-yard TD on a read-option play that allowed him to waltz into the end zone unscathed.
After senior Brandon Ruiz drilled a 44-yard field goal, Rogers went to work through the air. He connected with Williams and junior Makai Polk on 30-yard touchdown strikes along with a 10-yard score to junior Caleb Ducking.
"I think some guys got confidence and made some plays and we kind of opened it up a little bit," Williams said.
In the midst of the offense's success throwing the ball, the defense also had reason to celebrate. Junior safety Kyle Cass stepped in front of one of Greek's passes and returned it 70-yards up the left sideline for a score.
Rogers and Lovertich received most of the reps at quarterback in both of the Bulldogs' scrimmages and Leach must now determine which signal caller will get the starting nod in the season opener.
"I think both of them have some good qualities," Leach said. "I think they're both kind of battling to stay within themselves as far as consistency. I think Will is more consistent than Chance."
Leach challenged his offensive line following the first scrimmage last Saturday and saw some improvement with that group throughout the week of practice and also in the second scrimmage.
"It's been a steady progression," Leach said. "The first group I thought did reasonably well."
Defensively, redshirt freshman linebacker Rodney Groce Jr. led the way with five tackles followed by sophomore defensive end Izuchukwu King Ani and senior linebacker Tyrus Wheat with two sacks apiece.
True freshman cornerback Jay Hampton accounted for the other interception on defense while redshirt freshman defensive end Jevon Banks and true freshman linebacker John Lewis provided tackles for loss.
State has two weeks remaining before opening the season at home against Louisiana Tech on Sept. 4 at 3 p.m.
"We're just tired of facing each other," said junior safety Collin Duncan. "We've been going at each other since really the spring and 7-on-7's during the summer. We're just ready for another opponent."
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