Faces Of The Future
October 07, 2023 | Football
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State's win over Western Michigan gave Bulldog fans a glimpse into the future.
Several of MSU's promising young stars were provided opportunities to play premium snaps and showcase their abilities. And of the five players who found the end zone on Saturday, two were true freshmen.
Wide receiver Creed Whittemore caught a 16-yard touchdown during the first half for his third score of the season and later on, running back Seth Davis scurried across the goal line on a 5-yard scamper for his first career TD.
"It's always a great opportunity just to be on the field and when the ball comes to you, that's just a plus," Whittemore said. "For us, we're always working and I'm so proud we were able to get into the end zone. The amount of time we put in at practice is something that not a lot of people see and to be able to get in the end zone is something that you don't forget or take for granted."
Davis ended up leading the Bulldogs' rushing attack with 10 carries for 65 yards. One of those rushes was a career-long 25-yarder for the 5-foot-7, 185-pounder.
Davis and Kevone Lee helped shoulder the workload in the backfield with Jo'Quavious Marks and Jeffery Pittman banged up. The early high school graduate from Katy, Texas has been a sponge in the running back room since his arrival back in January.
"They have a lot of knowledge, so I just try to soak it in," Davis said. "Whenever I go in, I just try to make the best of my opportunities."
Davis currently ranks second on the team in rushing among running backs with 22 carries for 128 yards and is averaging 5.8 yards per attempt.
Whittemore was the highest-rated recruit the Bulldogs brought in during the 2023 signing class and has contributed 156 yards of total offense and three TD's through the first half of his freshman season.
Saturday's game marked the second time the former four-star recruit has hauled in four catches in a contest.
"Every week you obviously get more confident," Whittemore said. "You're able to feel better about what you're doing and play faster. You get more of a rhythm. I think if we continue to do what we're doing, the sky is the limit. Every week we're getting better."
Another underclassmen also found his way into the end zone for the first time against Western Michigan. Redshirt sophomore Jordan Mosley scored the game's first touchdown on a 15-yard reception from Will Rogers in the opening quarter.
Several other youngsters shined on the defensive side of the ball. Redshirt freshman defensive end Donterry Russell flashed for the second straight week and finished Saturday's contest with seven tackles, five of which were solo stops.
Sophomore defensive end Deonte Anderson tallied five tackles and forced a fumble. He also swatted away a pass at the goal line that nearly resulted in points for the Bulldogs.
True freshman Brice Pollock also garnered his first extended playing time at cornerback. The former four-star recruit has been a standout on State's special teams units this season but produced five tackles while patrolling the secondary against the Broncos.
"The only way to develop at this game is to play this game," said head coach Zach Arnett. "So, to have a true freshman that shows the promise to get on the field immediately and get him a lot of reps is the best thing for his development."
Mississippi State now heads into an open date which will allow some of the bumps and bruises earned through the rigors of the first half of the season to heal. It will also give some of the younger members of the roster like Whittemore and others time to get a few extra reps at practice to further continue their growth. Â
"I think over this off week a lot of young guys are going to get reps," Whittemore said. "It'll give me an opportunity to get better at my craft. I think as we move forward, I can continue to be a better receiver and continue to work."
