Young Bulldogs Show Out
September 03, 2023 | Football
Dawgs’ first win highlighted by the play of youngsters.
STARKVILLE – On a day when many veteran Mississippi State football players returned to Davis Wade Stadium, a trio of young student-athletes stole the show en route to the Bulldogs' 48-7 victory over Southeastern Louisiana.
Creed Whittemore, Kyle Ferrie and Avery Sledge made plays all over the field to keep the crowd on its feet and give their team a huge advantage. From touchdowns to field goals, the freshmen accounted for a combined 30 points: something that head coach Zach Arnett knows that the team will need moving forward.
"We've got some young freshmen – true freshmen – that we're excited about, and we need to develop them in a hurry," Arnett said.
True freshman wide receiver Whittemore scored two touchdowns in his collegiate debut, despite being new to the position. His first trip to the end zone accounted for quarterback Will Rogers' first touchdown pass of the season and lit Davis Wade Stadium up. Whittemore was thrilled to put points on the board for his team.
"That's pretty cool, just the ability to make a play like that," Whittemore said. "Will [Rogers] threw a great ball."
It didn't take long for Whittemore to show off his tremendous speed on the ground. Late in the fourth quarter, he took a handoff to the house for a 53-yard score. As he broke free from the defense's grasp, it became clear that there was no stopping him.
Arnett was incredibly impressed by the skills that his young wideout demonstrated.
"It's hard to take a flash sweep like [Whittemore] did for a touchdown," Arnett said. "Obviously, it means he can run."
True freshman kicker Ferrie was another Bulldog who went above and beyond in the first game of the season. Aside from scoring the first points of the year for Mississippi State on a 47-yard field goal, he nailed a kick from 49 yards out just before halftime and made all six of his extra-point attempts.
Sledge, a redshirt freshman, had an electric special teams play that put the Bulldogs in complete control. At the start of the fourth quarter, he recovered a punt that was blocked by teammate John Lewis and returned it 11 yards for the Mississippi State touchdown. It was the biggest play of Sledge's young career.
With so many talented newcomers, the Bulldogs look to be in good hands for years to come. As Whittemore said, there's something powerful brewing in Starkville.
"We had a bunch of people that played really well today, a lot of the guys that were younger," Whittemore said. "I think that should get the fans excited. We're going in the right direction."
Team captain Rogers, who is entering his fourth season as MSU's signal-caller, knows what it takes to rise to the occasion as a rookie and shared a few words of advice that he has for his teammates.
"Keep wanting to get better," Rogers said. "Just want more and stay hungry."
Creed Whittemore, Kyle Ferrie and Avery Sledge made plays all over the field to keep the crowd on its feet and give their team a huge advantage. From touchdowns to field goals, the freshmen accounted for a combined 30 points: something that head coach Zach Arnett knows that the team will need moving forward.
"We've got some young freshmen – true freshmen – that we're excited about, and we need to develop them in a hurry," Arnett said.
True freshman wide receiver Whittemore scored two touchdowns in his collegiate debut, despite being new to the position. His first trip to the end zone accounted for quarterback Will Rogers' first touchdown pass of the season and lit Davis Wade Stadium up. Whittemore was thrilled to put points on the board for his team.
"That's pretty cool, just the ability to make a play like that," Whittemore said. "Will [Rogers] threw a great ball."
It didn't take long for Whittemore to show off his tremendous speed on the ground. Late in the fourth quarter, he took a handoff to the house for a 53-yard score. As he broke free from the defense's grasp, it became clear that there was no stopping him.
Arnett was incredibly impressed by the skills that his young wideout demonstrated.
"It's hard to take a flash sweep like [Whittemore] did for a touchdown," Arnett said. "Obviously, it means he can run."
True freshman kicker Ferrie was another Bulldog who went above and beyond in the first game of the season. Aside from scoring the first points of the year for Mississippi State on a 47-yard field goal, he nailed a kick from 49 yards out just before halftime and made all six of his extra-point attempts.
Sledge, a redshirt freshman, had an electric special teams play that put the Bulldogs in complete control. At the start of the fourth quarter, he recovered a punt that was blocked by teammate John Lewis and returned it 11 yards for the Mississippi State touchdown. It was the biggest play of Sledge's young career.
With so many talented newcomers, the Bulldogs look to be in good hands for years to come. As Whittemore said, there's something powerful brewing in Starkville.
"We had a bunch of people that played really well today, a lot of the guys that were younger," Whittemore said. "I think that should get the fans excited. We're going in the right direction."
Team captain Rogers, who is entering his fourth season as MSU's signal-caller, knows what it takes to rise to the occasion as a rookie and shared a few words of advice that he has for his teammates.
"Keep wanting to get better," Rogers said. "Just want more and stay hungry."
Players Mentioned
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