Defense Again The Highlight During Spring Finale
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Mississippi State's spring football practice period concluded in much the same way it started with the defense controlling play.
The Bulldogs ended its four-week practice session with their annual Maroon and White game Saturday, a game televised live by ESPN2. The Maroon team scored on its first possession for a 7-0 lead that would stand up through the near two-hour scrimmage.
Junior quarterback Omarr Conner directed the Maroon team on its scoring march. Conner completed both of his passing attempts on the drive for 62 yards and rushed once for 4 yards. Redshirt freshman halfback Brandon Thornton scored the game's only touchdown with a 1-yard bolt to complete the journey.
Thornton, battling to become senior Jerious Norwood's top back-up at the position, led all ground-gainers with 49 yards on 11 carries. Conner, playing in just the first half of the game, completed four-of-eight passes for 118 yards with an interception.
After that nine-play, 71-yard drive, however, both team's defenses took over. The White team recorded just three first downs and had only 47 yards on 27 plays, working essentially against State's first defense.
But the White team was nearly as effective. It limited the Maroon team to just four first downs and 69 yards after that game-opening drive.
Junior linebacker Brad Horton capped a solid spring practice period, leading the White team with six tackles, including two quarterback sacks (minus 16 yards). Maroon defensive tackle Deljuan Robinson led his squad with five tackles, one a 9-yard quarterback sack, while end Michael Heard, another defender who has had a big spring, registered three tackles for loss (minus 13 yards), one of which was a sack (minus 10 yards). Redshirt freshman Fred Akines and true freshman Keith Fitzhugh had the game's only interceptions.
Junior wide receiver Will Prosser was either offensive team's highlight. He caught two passes for 81 yards, including a leaping 43-yard grab on the game's first play. Junior tight end Blake Pettit led White team receivers with two catches for 14 yards.