Marks Showcases Rushing Prowess In Season Opener
September 02, 2023 | Football
STARKVILLE – Four years ago, four-star prospect Jo'Quavious Marks signed with Mississippi State as one of the nation's top running back recruits.
During his first three seasons, however, Marks mostly made a name for himself as a solid pass-catcher out of the Bulldogs' backfield in Mike Leach's famed Air Raid offense. But with State now shifting to more of a pro-style system, Marks is looking to showcase his all-around game as a senior.
Mark's skillset was certainly on full display during the Bulldogs' 48-7 season-opening win over Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday. The 5-foot-10, 210-pounder carried 19 times for a career-high 127 yards and two touchdowns while also tying for the team lead in receiving with four catches for 59 yards.
"I was expecting to gain big yards," Marks said. "I knew the game plan and running the ball was what the offense leaned on, so I expected to have a good day."
He became the first Bulldog to eclipse the 100-yard plateau since Kylin Hill did so during the 2019 Egg Bowl, 20 days before Marks even signed his national letter of intent.
"Obviously, he's a really talented tailback," said head coach Zach Arnett. "Our offensive line did a really good job opening up some holes in the second half. We obviously know he can catch the ball out there in the flat, he's had plenty of reps of that. I'd have to go watch the tape to give a thorough evaluation, but 'Woody' is exactly what we think he is."
Marks plowed in from a yard out for MSU's first touchdown of the year early in the second quarter and added a 6-yard score with 9:20 remaining as part of a a six-TD day by the Bulldogs.
The ground game experienced a few growing pains early on in Kevin Barbay's first game as offensive coordinator. Mississippi State had just 62 yards rushing during the opening half but churned out 236 over the final two quarters to finish with 298. Â
"You always preach as a coach to get the run game established," Arnett said. "When you do that, those gains that were three and four yards in the first half turn into six and seven yard gains and then you break them. That's the philosophy. I thought we did a good job coming out at halftime."
Marks certainly wasn't the only player to find success on the ground in the opener. Back-up quarterback Mike Wright tallied 95 yards on five attempts, picking up 53 of those yards on one carry. Freshman wideout Creed Whittemore also broke off a 53-yard touchdown run on a jet sweep after picking up a pivotal lead block by Keyvone Lee.
In total, nine different Bulldogs ran the ball in the season opener including all five running backs that are on scholarship.
"I expected this because we've been running the ball a lot during our practices," Marks said. "That showed up today with us rushing for almost 300 yards. That's pretty big for this offense."
Of course, much of the recognition for those wide-open running lanes in the second half can be credited to the job MSU's offensive line did. That veteran group bulldozed the Bulldogs to their biggest rushing day since rushing for 372 yards in a 45-7 win over Abilene Christian on Nov. 23, 2019.
"They did a good job and opened up some holes," Marks said of his O-line. "Getting good yardage on first down leads to second and shorter yardage. Anything we can do to move the sticks."
State wants to continue replicating and building upon Saturday's rushing performance and use it as a blueprint for the rest of the season.
"I'm looking for a big year," Marks said. "I'd like to have 100 yards every game and even more than that for the guys behind me. We're trying to lean on our depth this year."
