STARKVILLE — For the final 10 minutes Thursday, Mississippi State starting quarterback Chris Relf stood on the sidelines with headphones on watching his backup finish the job.
MSU coach Dan Mullen went to sophomore quarterback Tyler Russell with 10 minutes, 8 seconds left in the contest and his team trailing 16-6 hoping for what he called “an offensive spark.”
“To give it a changeup,” Mullen said when asked why he made the lifted Relf in favor of Russell. Mullen dismissed the notion that Russell, a former Parade All-American three years ago out of Meridian High School, was put in the game because MSU (1-2, 0-2 Southeastern Conference) was in a situation that primarily called for passes. “We were going to run our offense, (but) when you”re down two scores you got to get the first score first. We wanted to see if Tyler would give us a spark on the field and do something.”
The last time Relf was pulled from a game for a non-injury with the final score still in doubt was the Thursday night home loss last year to Auburn. At that time last season, MSU was still figuring out its quarterback situation and the plan dictated Russell was to receive a first-half series.
Relf, who accounted for just 106 yards total offense against LSU”s aggressive defense, entered the game with a quarterback rating of 166.1 in the past four games dating back to last season.
Russell, who was sacked on his first play from scrimmage, had 33 yards total offense in his action, including an interception that resulted in the final field goal of the night for No. 3 LSU (3-0, 1-0).
“We have two great quarterbacks, so whoever is in the game we have to block for them,” MSU redshirt freshman left tackle Blaine Clausell said.
The only quarterback on the depth chart who hasn”t received any playing time is redshirt freshman Dylan Favre, but the former Mr. Football in the state of Mississippi participated in punt coverage last Saturday at Auburn University.
Tobias Smith leaves game with knee injury
MSU lost junior right guard Tobias Smith on the third play of the game to an unknown left knee injury.
Smith, who has a history of leg and ankle injuries in his first two
seasons as a Bulldog, suffered a left knee injury after MSU”s third-down effort that resulted in a 4-yard run by senior quarterback Chris Relf.
Smith was helped off the field after the play and didn”t return. MSU officials confirmed in the second quarter that Smith was done for the remainder of the game and that he would be evaluated later in the week.
“One thing (MSU offensive line coach John) Hevesy tells us all the time is you got to be ready when your number was called,” redshirt freshman Blaine Clausell said. “Tonight was just one of those nights.”
Smith was on the bench with a towel over his head and using crutches to get off the field after No. 25 MSU”s 19-6 loss to No. 3 LSU.
When Smith exited the game, senior center Quentin Saulsberry moved to right guard and redshirt freshman Dillon Day took over at center. The addition of Day and Clausell, who made his first college start in place of the injured James Carmon (knee), represented 40 percent of the projected starting offensive line out by the first month of the season.
“It didn”t help that”s for sure,” Mullen said when asked about injuries to key offensive lineman.
MSU holds groundbreaking ceremony for Seal football complex
Hours before kickoff, the groundbreaking ceremony was held to dedicate the construction of the Leo Seal Jr., Football Complex.
The facility, which will cost $20-25 million, is expected to be completed in early 2013 by JESCO, Inc., of Fulton.
During the game, Seal brothers Leo and Lee, who made the
donation on behalf of their late father, were honored on the Davis Wade Stadium jumbotron after a video was played showing MSU President Mark Keenum, MSU Director of Athletics Scott Stricklin and Bulldogs football coach Dan Mullen at the ceremony.
