Bulldogs Conduct Situational First Scrimmage
April 01, 2023 | Football
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State held the first of three spring scrimmages on Saturday.
Most of the Bulldogs' initial scrimmage at the Leo Seal Football Complex was spent playing situational football on both sides of the ball. The offense and defense worked on red zone, goal line and two-minute scenarios among others during the nearly two-hour scrimmage.
"We got some good experience and played out a lot of situations," said offensive coordinator Kevin Barbay. "Those situations, we can go back and review and really detail out so we can become good at situational football."
The new-look offense showcased its scoring ability in short-yardage situations, providing four touchdowns from inside the 5-yard line – three of which came on the ground. Running backs Jeffery Pittman and Seth Davis both scored on 4-yard runs while transfer quarterback Mike Wright went in untouched on a 2-yard keeper.
Wright also connected with linebacker turned tight end Ty Cooper for a 2-yard touchdown pass.
The biggest of the day came when Will Rogers found Lideatrick Griffin on a short screen pass that the Preseason All-American returner turned into a 54-yard touchdown scamper.
"We consider our screen game basically another run, especially the perimeter screens," Barbay said. "If we can pop it out there and get four yards or more, we consider that successful. But when you get it in an explosive guy's hands right now who can take it 75 (yards) … that is what the offense is built for."
Rogers, who has been MSU's starting quarterback for the past three seasons and is the school's all-time leader with 10,689 passing yards and 82 career touchdown throws, is adapting well to Barbay's new offensive scheme and isn't shy about sharing his knowledge with his teammates this spring.
"Will has got great leadership," Barbay said. "He drives the offense and is the energy of the offense. From a leadership standpoint, Will did a great job. He's got a great grasp of the offense just drawing it up and X's and O's."
Barbay understands that learning an entirely new offensive scheme doesn't happen overnight but believes the Bulldogs are steadily making progress during their installation so far this spring. Â
"From Day 1 to Day 8 today, we've really made some great improvements," Barbay said. "Obviously, we're not satisfied with the scrimmage and the way that it rolled out today. We obviously want to create more explosive (plays) and score more points. But we need as many of these open, loose, play-it situations as we can possibly get."
State's defense made its share of plays in Saturday's initial scrimmage as well, finishing with 13 tackles for loss, five sacks and forced two turnovers. The secondary group especially had an impact as Khamauri Rogers came away with an interception in the end zone in addition to a tackle for loss.
Jordan Morant and Ja'Kobi Albert also made stops behind the line of scrimmage while Shawn Preston Jr. stripped away a fumble that Marcus Banks was able to recover. Wesley Miller also snagged an interception during a 7-on-7 drill.
The stellar play from the safeties is encouraging for defensive coordinator Matt Brock, who is tasked with replacing all three starters from last season at those positions.
"Banks has done a nice job of transitioning (to safety)," Brock said. "Corey Ellington is a guy who needs to step up and play well for us. He's had some good days and bad days too but he's someone that works every single day. You've also got a guy like Shawn Preston that's played a lot of football for us in SEC games. I told Shawn when he said he was coming back that if comes back, he'd better be on a mission to lead the best way he can. Kobi Albert is another guy who has flashed."
Defensive end Deonte Anderson added a sack and a tackle for loss. Brothers De'Monte Russell and Donterry Russell each had a sack, as did Nathaniel Watson and J.P. Purvis. Khalid Moore, DeShawn Page, Javae Gilmore and John Lewis also provided tackles for loss.
Nick Barr-Mira and Jordan Kennedy both kicked a pair of 37-yard field goals while Barr-Mira also booted one through the uprights from 31-yards out.
The Bulldogs practice again on Tuesday and Thursday and are hoping to pick up the pace in Week 4 heading into next Saturday's second scrimmage.
"We want to play these scrimmages at a little higher tempo," Barbay said. "Today everybody came out here a little juiced up and then hit a lull. We've got to learn to overcome that lull and play with a fast pace throughout these next couple of practices and into the next scrimmage."
