Mosley A Star Of State’s First Show
September 01, 2024 | Football, Joel Coleman
Bulldog receiver gets MSU’s offense and his own season off to a fast start.
STARKVILLE – All it took was 32 seconds.
The rear ends of those wearing Maroon and White hadn't even settled into their Davis Wade Stadium seats on Saturday night when Jordan Mosley sent a STATEment.
The Showtime era is here, and Mosley himself is bound to be one of the stars of said show.
Mosley's 65-yard touchdown reception on MSU's third play from scrimmage of the season had the Bulldogs off and running towards a 56-7 beatdown of Eastern Kentucky. It proved first-year head coach Jeff Lebby meant what he promised months ago about State playing can't-miss football, but it also showed Mosley has grown into becoming a centerpiece of the Bulldog roster in 2024.
"It's kind of surreal, but I'm just blessed to be in this position," Mosley said postgame on Saturday. "I give all the glory to God for putting me here every single week. I thank my teammates for putting trust in me and all the coaches for putting trust in me to go out there and make plays."
SCORE. FROM. FAR.#SHOWTIME | #HailState pic.twitter.com/Ap5XyuQFK7
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) August 31, 2024
Mosley shared his electric early-game moment actually could have come even sooner than it did. He said the Dawgs were looking to pull off the big pass on the first play of their opening drive, but Eastern Kentucky's defensive coverage wouldn't allow it. Nonetheless, it soon hit, and the rest is history.
Mosley ultimately finished Saturday with five catches for a team-high 104 yards and his score. In only one night, the junior pass catcher almost doubled his output from last season when he had three total catches for 45 yards and a touchdown all year long.
It was obvious throughout State's preseason that Mosley looked poised for a breakout. Who knew he'd start having it less than a minute into the new campaign?
At least one man knew: Jeff Lebby.
"I saw exactly what I thought I would see. I really did," Lebby said when evaluating Mosley's evening. "I've got incredible confidence in that guy. To me, he's a guy that has a chance to have a really good year. He is a pro every single day the way he goes about his business. It's going to give him a chance to be a really good player. He's a guy that's got a lot of ability, too. So excited for him to be able to go get some production as we build this."
Making Mosley's night even more special was who he got to share it with. His mother and aunt along with a handful of friends were all in attendance to cheer their favorite Bulldog on. And if Mosley gets his way, it won't be the last time they can watch him shine.
"It means a lot [my loved ones were here]," Mosley said. "Everything I've been through – a lot of injuries and a lot of adversity I've had to deal with – just to come out here and put [what I can do] on display, it felt great. It felt like the hard work paid off. But we've got 11 more games so [Saturday is] over now."
Put another way, it's on to the next show for Mosley. But he'd be perfectly fine with a few reruns of Saturday.
"I've been working my butt off, so it was everything I dreamed of," Mosley said.
