STARKVILLE — It was an emotional week for Mississippi State.
The Bulldogs lost one of their own last week. Freshman defensive lineman Keith Joseph Jr. and his father, former Bulldog Keith Sr., were killed in a one-car accident Nov. 6. The tragedy hit the football program by surprise, especially the freshmen. Freshman safety Jamal Peters wore No. 99, Joseph Jr.’s number, with Joseph on the back to honor his fallen teammate Saturday afternoon in the team’s game against No. 3 Alabama.
“A lot of people think that’s the end of it. It’s not,” MSU coach Dan Mullen said. “One of their family members is still not going to be there (Saturday night). It’s not just the week. That’s something that’s going to be with them for a long time. A tragic loss doesn’t end just because we played a football game.”
Along with Peters wearing Joseph Jr.’s number, the Bulldogs wore “MJ” decals on their helmets. Those initials also were on each 25-yard line at Scott Field. Keith Jr. was born Marshawn Joseph. His teammates called him “MJ.” No. 20 MSU put the emotion aside, but lost to No. 3 Alabama 31-6.
There was a moment of silence for Keith Jr. and Sr. before kickoff.
Mullen said freshman safety Mark McLaurin will wear No. 99 against Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl on Saturday, Nov. 28.
Keith Jr. was redshirting this season. Keith Sr. played at MSU from 1989-92. He is 10th all-time in school history with 14 sacks.
Injury update
Bulldog junior wide receiver De’Runnya Wilson had to be carted off the field in the fourth quarter with an apparent neck injury.
Mullen wouldn’t comment about the injury. He said the team will know more as this week progresses. MSU will play at 6 p.m. Saturday at Arkansas.
“We don’t think it’s a significant injury,” Mullen said. “Everyone feels he’s going to be OK.”
Wilson finished the game with three catches for 38 yards and a long of 23.
Streak ends
MSU senior quarterback Dak Prescott saw his touchdown responsible for streak come to an end.
The Haughton, Louisiana, native didn’t throw, rush, or catch a touchdown Saturday. He entered the game with a touchdown in 32-straight games. It was the longest active streak in the nation.
Prescott extended another streak. He threw for 300 yards to give him four-straight games with 300-plus passing yards. He became the 12th player in FBS history to pass for 8,000 yards and rush for 2,000 yards in a career.
Prescott also rushed for 14 yards to give him 314 yards of total offense, passing Ole Miss’ Bo Wallace (10,478 from 2012-14) and Florida’s Danny Wuerffel (10,500 from 1993-96) for eighth most in Southeastern Conference history (10,559).
Prescott will leave MSU with victories against every SEC team except Alabama and South Carolina. He is 0-2 as a starter against Alabama.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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