Running Backs Put Depth On Display
October 07, 2023 | Football, Joel Coleman
Seth Davis and Keyvone Lee shine in State victory.
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State's offense came out in a pistol formation with running back Seth Davis lined up a few steps behind quarterback Mike Wright.
It was midway through the third quarter on Saturday. Five yards away from the goal line – already sporting a 10-point lead – the Bulldogs were looking for somewhat of a knockout blow. What happened next will stick in Davis' mind forever.
Wright took the snap. He turned and handed it to Davis. The freshman from Katy, Texas took care of the rest.
"The o-line gave me a good push," Davis said. "It was an outside zone. I just hit the hole and went and scored."
It was Davis' first career touchdown. It was also one of several highlights for State's collection of running backs in a game where the group showcased its depth.
MSU topped Western Michigan 41-28, in part, on the legs of Davis and fellow backup running back Keyvone Lee.
Starting back Jo'Quavious Marks left the game early after getting banged up. That allowed Davis and Lee the chance to step up. MSU's running game ended up not missing much of a beat.
Lee got five carries for 49 yards. The highlight was the junior's 33-yard scamper that put MSU in the red zone and set the stage for Davis' eventual score.
"There was a reason we were excited Keyvone [transferred] here from Penn State when we got him," State head coach Zach Arnett said. "He's a bigger back and a physical back that can break tackles."
Added Davis of his teammate: "[Lee] has a lot of experience, and he runs really hard, too. He's a big back, but he's got a lot of speed."
Davis would know speed when he sees it as he's as quick and agile as they come himself. He got to show it off over the course of Saturday's affair before finishing with a team-high 65 rushing yards to go along with his touchdown.
"Seth, to his credit, he's been one of those freshmen that from the start – he was an early enrollee – so he got a jump on learning the offense and getting carries," Arnett said. "He's probably the freshman who has been the most consistent and has looked like he's been game ready from the jump. He's kind of a slasher. And he's a stronger runner than people give him credit for because he's a little undersized. But he's a slasher that can find the seams and wiggle his way through there and really accelerate at a high level out of it. He did a really nice job for us."
It's been a year of strong play for all of State's running backs. Marks entered play Saturday fourth in the entire Southeastern Conference in rushing yardage. Jeffery Pittman has been solid this season, too, most notably coming through with the game-winning score in overtime against Arizona in early September.
Then Saturday, there was Davis and Lee showing that defenses all better beware. Because no matter which Bulldog runner is in the game, big things are possible.
"All of us know that we have the talent," Davis said. "So, when opportunity comes, we just step up and show what we can do."
