Big Plays Highlight Bulldogs' Spring Game
April 15, 2023 | Football
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State concluded its first spring under new head coach Zach Arnett on a picturesque Saturday afternoon with the annual Maroon & White spring game.
A Super Bulldog Weekend crowd of onlookers inside Davis Wade Stadium saw several of Arnett's defensive pupils shine along with the big-play capability of Kevin Barbay's new offensive system. When the scrimmage wrapped, it was Team Wingo that emerged victorious 17-7 over Team Golding.
"It went about like you'd hope," Arnett said. "There were some highlights for the offense and highlights for the defense so both sides of the ball have reasons to be optimistic and happy about the performances of some guys. But I guarantee there are a number of plays on both sides of the ball that will have the coordinators and position coaches frustrated, but that obviously means you've got a competitive team and a competitive roster."
Barbay made good on his promise to get playmakers the football in his offense. In the opening quarter, Lideatrick Griffin took a reverse 43-yards to the house, sprinting his way down the field thanks to a key kickout block by freshman tight end Malik Ellis.
"Coach Barbay has been finding ways to get me the ball," Griffin said.
.@TuluuuuuG to the house 🌬️
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) April 15, 2023
Team Wingo takes the early lead on the opening possession of the Spring Game#HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/ejkFMfHV05
Just before halftime, Team Wingo struck with a big play once again as Will Rogers rifled a 55-yard touchdown pass to Zavion Thomas. Rogers' throw traveled 54 yards in the air and found Thomas, who made a one-handed grab before taking it the remaining eight yards for the score.
"You can see that (Thomas) can make a lot of big plays whether it be down the field or jet sweeps," Rogers said. "He's got some of the same things that 'Tulu' (Griffin) has with the ball in his hands. He's like lightning in a bottle. The more we can get him the ball, the more we're going to be in a good place."
Oh My‼️
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) April 15, 2023
What a play by @Wrogers__2 & Zavion Thomas 👀#HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/WVcpvf3phZ
Thomas led all receivers with four catches for 75 yards. ReliaQuest Bowl MVP Justin Robinson added three catches for 61 yards and Griffin finished with 75 yards of total offense in only four touches.
"(Barbay) doing exactly what he said his philosophy was in the first place which is identify who your most explosive players are and get them the ball in space," Arnett said. "We know Will is tremendous distributing the ball passing but there are a lot of ways you can get those guys the ball."
After a brief halftime for a ceremonial changing of the harness for MSU's live Bulldog mascot "Bully", Team Wingo went up 17-0 on a 47-yard field goal by Nick Barr-Mira.
Mike Wright guided Team Golding into the end zone early in the fourth quarter. Following a 13-play drive, Wright scampered across the goal line from 2-yards out.
Freshman Seth Davis churned out 49 yards on the ground for Team Golding and led all rushers in the scrimmage.
Defensively, John Lewis and Wesley Miller topped Team Wingo with six tackles apiece while Kalvin Dinkins and Jalin Shephard had sacks. Khamauri Rogers snagged the only interception of the day and Tanner Duke Johnson forced a fumble.
.@JohnLewis7414, 𝐖𝐎𝐖‼️#HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/ziZSXmHSU2
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) April 15, 2023
Team Golding's defense was led by Shawn Preston Jr. with eight stops. J.P. Purvis provided a pair of sacks while DeShawn Page stacked up 3.5 tackles for loss, including a sack. Javae Gilmore also added a sack and De'Monte Russell recovered a fumble.
Mississippi State will now start gearing up for the 2023 campaign and continue building on what was a successful spring on both sides of the ball.
"The sky is the limit for us," Rogers said. "I think we can be as good as we want to be, but we still have so many things to work on. As we get into summer workouts and summer OTA's, I think we'll be able to clean up some of those things and we'll be night and day different come fall camp and September 2nd."
