Quarterback Blake Shapen Discusses State’s Season Opener
August 27, 2024 | Football, Joel Coleman
Shapen set for his Bulldog debut.
STARKVILLE – Game week is here for Mississippi State, and that means for quarterback Blake Shapen, his Bulldog debut is imminent.
The transfer from Baylor is all set to take the reins of first-year head coach Jeff Lebby's offense and hopefully be the straw that stirs the drink for a powerful State attack that racks up yardage and points.
Ahead of Saturday's 5 p.m. season opener at Davis Wade Stadium against Eastern Kentucky, Shapen spoke with reporters following Tuesday's practice to discuss the upcoming game and much more. Here is an edited transcript of Shapen's press conference:
Question: You've been through this all before but not here. Any butterflies headed into Saturday?
Shapen: "I think I'm just excited to get the season going. We've been going against each other for a long time now, so I think it's just excitement and ready to get out there and play my first game in Starkville."
Question: You've probably seen games on TV before and know a bit about what the MSU atmosphere is like. What's it going to be like to run out there and hear all that for the first time and know college football is here?
Shapen: "I think for me, it's going to be cool because I've been in the same stadium [at Baylor] for four years. So, being able to run out somewhere different – especially at a place like here with how electric it is – I'm just excited to be able to go out there for the first time on Saturday."
Question: Coach Lebby has said the offensive line is one of the groups that has grown the most. What areas have you seen that group grow?
Shapen: "I think they've just grown together. When you get in a system for a long time and it's been a whole spring and a whole camp and now getting into the season, you've had those reps and done it over and over again. It helps a lot, especially with confidence. For those guys to continue to do what they do each and every day to grow in their craft has been good and given them a lot of confidence.
Question: Is there anything you are doing (regarding the coach comm system in your helmet) to combat all the noise that'll be in the stadium on Saturday?
Shapen: "I think, especially at home, it should be fine. I don't know how big of an issue it'll be. Obviously we have things we'll do if it is an issue, but I think on the road it'll be more of an issue."
Question: What's it like to now have that audio in your helmet and get the play called in to you that way and not have to rely on looking to the sideline?
Shapen: "It's been different obviously because I've never used it before, but it definitely helps out a lot. Coach Lebby helps me out with things like that…It's going to help me out a lot."
Question: Starting quarterbacks lead the team, but you also get to help bring along younger quarterbacks. How have you handled that role?
Shapen: "It's been good. Those guys are great guys, and they want to learn. They've been picking up information to grow just like I am. We all came in pretty much at the same time since we're all new to Coach Lebby's system. So, it's been good to grow with those guys. Hopefully my experience and the things I've been through has helped them out to give them a little bit of experience without playing much. So, it's been fun working with them."
Question: There are several transfers on this team. What's it say about a team that you can assemble so many guys and be ready to play a game so quickly?
Shapen: "Obviously this is new in college football and it's kind of the norm now. So, it's definitely different than what it used to be and it's just that you have to grow quickly with guys and get to know them and things like that. I feel like our team has done a really good job of doing that. So, it's obviously different than the past, but we took it in a great way and we were able to bond with each other pretty early on. So, it's been a good transition."
Question: What's that say for the people Coach Lebby and staff have brought in that you all can bond like you have?
Shapen: "I think with Coach Lebby, how he relates to the players, it makes us feel like we're at home. He can relate to the younger generation. So, I think that's the main thing with Coach Lebby is how he communicates with us just as we'd communicate with each other. That's helped us out a lot."
Question: You guys got to do somewhat of a dress rehearsal last weekend to get ready. What all did you?
Shapen: "We went through the whole game day routine. We went to the hotel. We did that on Friday. Got to see the hotel we're staying at…Then we just went through the game day and the Dawg Walk and going on the field pregame and all that stuff. It was just getting a feel for what game day is going to be like.
Question: What do you make of Eastern Kentucky's defense?
Shapen: "I think they're a solid defense. I feel like they've got some good players. Their defensive line is a strong suit, so that's going to be a big emphasis for us is blocking those guys up front and obviously making plays down the field with the receivers and running the football. But at the same time, they've got a lot of experience and things like that, so we've got to respect that."
Question: A big part of Coach Lebby's offense is the spacing that it creates out wide. How through fall camp have you seen guys adapt to that?
Shapen: "I feel like, like I said earlier about the offensive line, it's just about reps and those reps matter. So, the more times you do it, the more confident you're going to get, and I feel like those guys have a lot of confidence going into [Saturday]."
Question: Outside of a win, what do you feel like would make it a successful first game for the offense?
Shapen: "I think for us, just to put on the field what we've seen in practice. See the growth. And honestly, just to go out and have fun and enjoy what we're doing. We've practiced so many different times just to go out and play these football games, so mostly just go out and have fun and execute what our gameplan is."
