State Wraps Up Spring With Final Scrimmage

STARKVILLE – Mississippi State held its third and final scrimmage of the spring inside Davis Wade Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.

There were plenty of highlights made in all three phases of the game as the Bulldogs concluded spring practice including nine touchdowns, three field goals, two sacks, one interception and several short-yardage defensive stands.

"We've made strides throughout the spring," said quarterback Will Rogers. "We've definitely gotten better but there's still a lot more work to do."

Rogers tossed a pair of short touchdowns in the scrimmage. He connected with Jamire Calvin on a 1-yard slant for the first TD of the day and capped things off with a 5-yard scoring strike to Lideatrick Griffin.

Redshirt freshman Sawyer Robertson also accounted for two touchdowns through the air, both of which went to Rara Thomas. Thomas hauled in an 8-yard score and followed up with a spectacular one-handed grab from 19-yards out that Robertson placed in there perfectly.

Chance Lovertich had the longest touchdown throw of the scrimmage, hooking up with Justin Robinson for a 41-yard score. Robinson, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound receiver who transferred in from Georgia, closed out his first spring at MSU in impressive fashion.

"He needed reps at first but once he got in and learned the system and got some reps under his belt he did really well," Rogers said. "I'm excited to work with him this summer and get ready for the season."

Jo'quavious Marks accounted for the Bulldogs' other score during the scrimmage, plowing across the goal line from a yard out.

The rest of the points came from the right leg of kicker Massimo Biscardi. The graduate transfer was a perfect 3 for 3 on field goal attempts with makes of 38, 42 and 47 yards.

The defensive tone for the day was set on the opening drive as Nathaniel Watson delivered a bone-crunching hit to Marks at the goal line that kept the running back out of the end zone facing third-and-goal and forced the offense to settle for a field goal.

J.P. Purvis also made a 4^th-and-1 stop for the defense while Eldric Griffin later prevented a two-point conversion with a tackle in the backfield. Corey Ellington also added a touchdown-saving tackle by bringing Dillon Johnson down at the 1-yard line.

Linebackers Michael Robinson and Timar Rogers recorded sacks in the scrimmage while DeCarlos Nicholson was responsible for the lone turnover of the day. Nicholson intercepted a tipped pass at the 10-yard line and returned it 60-plus yards before finally being brought down.

"We've still got a lot of things to work and improve on," Watson said. "But we've got a lot of guys coming back that know the defense and we've got younger guys stepping up into bigger roles. I think we're going to be pretty good."

Although Tuesday's scrimmage concluded the second spring under head coach Mike Leach, the work is only beginning for the Bulldogs. Mississippi State will open the season in 130 days at home against Memphis on Sept. 3.

"You could see the jump from last spring to the season," Rogers said. "I'm hoping we make the same jump this year because we were that much better this spring. We can really make a jump this fall but that all starts this summer in the weight room with hard work."

State Wraps Up Spring With Final Scrimmage

Players Mentioned

Massimo Biscardi

Jamire Calvin

Corey Ellington

Eldric Griffin

Lideatrick Griffin

Dillon Johnson

Chance Lovertich

Jo'Quavious Marks

DeCarlos Nicholson

JP Purvis

Sawyer Robertson

Justin Robinson

Michael Robinson

Timar Rogers

Will Rogers

Rara Thomas

Nathaniel Watson

Mississippi State University Athletics