Bulldogs Have 'Solid' First Spring Scrimmage
STARKVILLE, Miss. - The defense won the day, but Mississippi State head football coach Dan Mullen walked away from the first full scrimmage of the spring satisfied with what he saw both sides of the ball here on Friday afternoon.
"We were sloppy at times and need to be more consistent on both sides of the ball, but it was a good day. Got some solid work in," Mullen said after a little over 100 plays on the Shira Complex practice fields. "The offense moved the ball some, but had too many three-and-outs. The defense gave up some long drives. Just need to get it all working together, but it was a good start."
The situational scrimmage began with great start for the defense as it forced a pair of three-and-outs for the first and second unit offenses. The first offense got in a groove after a third down conversion on the next possession and moved down field on a long Joe Morrow catch of a Tyler Russell pass. Two plays later the offense scored on a 14-yard strike from Russell to Chris Smith.
A few possessions later, redshirt freshman Dak Prescott led the second offensive unit 98 yards for a score. Prescott hit Jameon Lewis for a long gainer on third down to keep the drive moving and Derek Milton scored from 19 yards out to cap the drive.
Practice closed with two-minute situations, and the first offense marched down the field with the first possession but couldn't get the ball in the endzone. Russell nearly hit Chad Bumphis in the back of the endzone from 22 yards out, but the duo couldn't quite hook up as the clock expired. Prescott guided the second unit and hit Robert Johnson for a 25-yard score to close the scrimmage.
Overall, the offense combined for seven touchdowns while the defense forced six three-and-outs. Russell and Prescott each threw a pair of touchdown passes, while Milton, Nick Griffith and Ladarius Perkins each recorded a rushing score.
SCORING
Chris Smith 14 pass from Tyler Russell (Brian Egan kick)
Derek Milton 19 rush (Charlie Grandfield kick)
Nick Griffith 1 rush (Egan kick)
Jameon Lewis 14 pass from Russell (Grandfield kick)
Egan 31 FG
Heavens 15 pass from Dak Prescott (Egan kick)
Ladarius Perkins 9 rush (No point attempt)
Robert Johnson 25 pass from Prescott (No point attempt)
"We were sloppy at times and need to be more consistent on both sides of the ball, but it was a good day. Got some solid work in," Mullen said after a little over 100 plays on the Shira Complex practice fields. "The offense moved the ball some, but had too many three-and-outs. The defense gave up some long drives. Just need to get it all working together, but it was a good start."
The situational scrimmage began with great start for the defense as it forced a pair of three-and-outs for the first and second unit offenses. The first offense got in a groove after a third down conversion on the next possession and moved down field on a long Joe Morrow catch of a Tyler Russell pass. Two plays later the offense scored on a 14-yard strike from Russell to Chris Smith.
A few possessions later, redshirt freshman Dak Prescott led the second offensive unit 98 yards for a score. Prescott hit Jameon Lewis for a long gainer on third down to keep the drive moving and Derek Milton scored from 19 yards out to cap the drive.
Practice closed with two-minute situations, and the first offense marched down the field with the first possession but couldn't get the ball in the endzone. Russell nearly hit Chad Bumphis in the back of the endzone from 22 yards out, but the duo couldn't quite hook up as the clock expired. Prescott guided the second unit and hit Robert Johnson for a 25-yard score to close the scrimmage.
Overall, the offense combined for seven touchdowns while the defense forced six three-and-outs. Russell and Prescott each threw a pair of touchdown passes, while Milton, Nick Griffith and Ladarius Perkins each recorded a rushing score.
SCORING
Chris Smith 14 pass from Tyler Russell (Brian Egan kick)
Derek Milton 19 rush (Charlie Grandfield kick)
Nick Griffith 1 rush (Egan kick)
Jameon Lewis 14 pass from Russell (Grandfield kick)
Egan 31 FG
Heavens 15 pass from Dak Prescott (Egan kick)
Ladarius Perkins 9 rush (No point attempt)
Robert Johnson 25 pass from Prescott (No point attempt)