Bulldogs Conduct Successful First Scrimmage

Photo by: Kevin Snyder/MSU Athletics

Bulldogs Conduct Successful First Scrimmage

August 13, 2022 | Football

By: Logan Lowery, Assistant Director/Communications

STARKVILLE – Mississippi State held its first football scrimmage of the fall on Saturday and all three phases were able to exit Davis Wade Stadium with positives to build from for the upcoming season.

The Bulldogs' offense, defense and special teams all experienced highlighted moments during the 96-play scrimmage which gave the coaching staff a good gauge of where the team is at this point early on in training camp.

"You just try to evaluate what a guy did right or wrong on either side of the ball," said head coach Mike Leach. "The first two series, the defense dominated. The next two series, the offense dominated and then I thought it was mixed the last two series minus the turnovers."

Four of MSU's six touchdowns came through the air with Will Rogers tossing two of those. Rogers connected with Rara Thomas for a 30-yard scoring strike and later found Dillon Johnson out of the backfield for another 3-yard TD.

Sawyer Robertson accounted for the first touchdown of the day when he hit a wide-open Jaden Walley from 12 yards out. Daniel Greek capped the scrimmage with a 25-yard touchdown to true freshman Zavion Thomas, who skied high over a defender to make the catch in the back corner of the end zone.

Jo'quavious Marks and Simeon Price also reached paydirt with a pair of rushing scores. Marks punched it across the goal line from a yard out while Price plowed his way in for a 2-yard TD.

Price hauled in five passes but was Justin Robinson who was the leading receiver on the day with 54 yards on four catches.

"I thought he took a step today and improved," Leach said of Robinson. "When he plays hard he's a tough player. He's just got to refine his technique. But he is starting to make some improvements."

Linebacker DeShawn Page spearheaded the defensive efforts with a team-high six tackles, which included 2.5 sacks. Page was followed closely by fellow linebacker Jett Johnson, safety Corey Ellington, and defensive ends Donterry Russell and Deonte Anderson with five tackles each.

Russell, Anderson, linebacker Tyrus Wheat and defensive linemen Kalvin Dinkins, Trevion Williams and Nathan Pickering also provided sacks. Linebacker Sherman Timbs was credited with a half-sack.

Safety Jackie Matthews and cornerbacks Audavion Collins and William Hardrick each picked off passes. Safety Collin Duncan and defensive ends Jordan Davis and Jacarius Clayton forced a fumble apiece and cornerbacks Marcus Banks and DeCarlos Nicholson were able to recover two of those.

Newcomers Massimo Biscardi (35, 45) and Ben Raybon (40, 39) each made two field goals while Jordan Kennedy was good from 43-yards out.

But make no mistake, there are still plenty of areas Leach and the Bulldogs plan to clean up before they take the field on Sept. 3 against Memphis in the season opener. State will conduct its second scrimmage on Saturday, Aug. 20 in conjunction with Fan Fest. Gates to Davis Wade Stadium will open at noon with the scrimmage starting at approximately 1 p.m.

Scoring Summary
Massimo Biscardi 35-yard field goal
Ben Raybon 40-yard field goal
Jaden Walley 12-yard pass from Sawyer Robertson
Raybon 39-yard field goal
Rara Thomas 30-yard pass from Will Rogers
Jo'quavious Marks 1-yard run
Biscardi 45-yard field goal
Simeon Price 2-yard run
Jordan Kennedy 43-yard field goal
Dillon Johnson 3-yard pass from Rogers
Zavion Thomas 25-yard pass from Daniel Greek

For more information on the Bulldog football program, visit HailState.com or search for "HailStateFB" on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.