Final MSU Spring Practice Ends In Disappointment
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- The first two days of the final week of spring practice left Mississippi State head football coach Sylvester Croom generally pleased that his team was making progress, but as the last workout prior to Saturday's spring-ending scrimmage came to a close Thursday, disappointment again marked the head coach's words.
"I'm disappointed with the goal line defense," Croom said. "I saw no passion - no heart in them. When the football gets inside the 5-yard line, that is where you see the heart of a football team. And I didn't see one today."
Earlier in the week, he had praised that side of the ball for their pursuit to the pigskin, and for the fact that they showed some improvement and a better competitive level. In fact, he called out non-scholarship defensive back Marcus Evans (Starkville, Miss.), a transfer from Alcorn State University, for his confident play throughout the spring. He also mentioned that wide receiver Tyler Threadgill (Philadelphia, Miss.) had "stepped up" on the offensive side of the ball.
Saturday's final spring scrimmage will give both sides of the ball one last chance to impress the coaching staff before the off-season session comes to a close.
"What we look for Saturday will be no different than what we have looked for in the other two scrimmages," Croom said. "We want to keep the ball off the ground, we want to finish plays on both sides of the ball, and we want to have some contact.
"We will continue to work the fundamentals," he continued. "I want to see what kind of identity this team will have. I know we don't want to beat ourselves, and I don't think we'll be out-hit. I want to see if this is a team that won't quit.
"I'm pleased with their effort this spring," Croom continued. "And they have absorbed what the coaches have taught them. I'm not worried about our physical toughness, I'm concerned about our mental toughness."
Croom indicated that Saturday's scrimmage will feature the team's base offensive and defensive formations.
"We're not going to help the opponents with their scouting reports," Croom said.