STARKVILLE — Collin Duncan knows Mississippi State isn’t ready yet.
The junior safety is well aware of what it takes to win college football games, especially in the Southeastern Conference. But with two weeks to go before the Bulldogs kick off the 2021 season against Louisiana Tech, he knows his team doesn’t quite have it yet.
“We all know who we have to face this year in the SEC and in the nonconference as well,” Duncan said Saturday. “We’ve got some tough nonconference games. We know who we have to face, and we know how well we have to perform to beat those teams. We know that we’re not there.”
But Saturday’s scrimmage at Davis Wade Stadium was another positive step on the way.
Duncan, head coach Mike Leach and several other Mississippi State players praised the Bulldogs’ play as the maroon-clad offense and white-clad defense fought to a draw for the second straight week.
“I thought we improved as a team on both sides,” Leach said. “I don’t think there were any long streaks that anybody got in.”
That fits the second-year Mississippi State coach’s description of a strong scrimmage, and it’s what Leach oversaw Saturday as the Bulldogs barely beat a downpour over Scott Field.
But it rained interceptions for most of the early afternoon. A pair of safeties — redshirt junior Kyle Cass and redshirt sophomore Dylan Lawrence — returned picks for long touchdowns, while redshirt junior linebacker Nathaniel Watson intercepted Chance Lovertich in the end zone and freshman cornerback Jay Hampton picked off fellow freshman Sawyer Robertson.
Duncan said the takeaways were a product of the philosophy defensive coordinator Zach Arnett has espoused with his players.
“Coach Arnett’s been on us really hard these past few weeks with stripping the ball and attacking the ball,” Duncan said. “That’s been a really big thing for our defense the past few weeks.”
Redshirt sophomore defensive end Izuchukwu “King” Ani and senior linebacker Tyrus Wheat each had two “sacks,” though they still aren’t allowed to take down the green-shirted quarterbacks. With senior defensive end Jordan Davis seeming to confirm rumors of a torn ACL in an Instagram post Thursday night, the Bulldogs will need players like Ani and UCF transfer Randy Charlton to generate a strong pass rush.
Redshirt junior linebacker Aaron Brule said Davis’ injury will give Mississippi State the impetus it needs to replace the Memphis product’s production.
“It really just gives us that extra drive knowing now we’re doing it for somebody, and we want to make him as proud as we can,” Brule said.
But it wasn’t all defense on Saturday as the Bulldogs’ offense held its own, particularly toward the end of the scrimmage. Sophomore quarterback Will Rogers finished with three touchdown passes — including two on the same “drive” — by finding Cal transfer Makai Polk, redshirt junior Caleb Ducking and redshirt senior Austin Williams for scores.
Rogers finished 13 of 27 for 160 yards, the trio of touchdown passes and an interception. Lovertich, a South Alabama transfer, was 10 of 13 for 89 yards and a pick.
Leach has yet to name a starter for Week 1, although he said Saturday that Rogers has been the more consistent of the two passers thus far.
“I think both of them have some good qualities,” Leach said. “I think they’re both kind of battling to stay within themselves.”
Freshman Daniel Greek received two drives, going 6 of 12 for 51 yards and an interception. Robertson struggled in a short outing, finishing 2 of 7 for eight yards and a pick.
But Williams noted both young quarterbacks have plenty of potential and said the ability to earn snaps in a scrimmage setting will benefit that.
“They’re going to be really good,” Williams said. “I think it’s awesome for them to get reps right now in the stadium.”
Freshman wideout Rara Thomas certainly made the most of his playing time, second on the Bulldogs with 47 receiving yards on three catches Saturday.
Williams, who had 83 yards and a touchdown on four catches, praised the Eufaula, Alabama, product’s natural talent and playmaking ability.
“He’s definitely come into his own,” Williams said of Thomas. “He’s grown a lot since the beginning of camp.”
Thomas’ emergence could help Mississippi State add to its significant depth at wide receiver. Polk will help considerably, with sophomore Jaden Walley saying he already feels more comfortable on the inside with the Cal transfer on the outside.
“I feel like it’ll make my job a little easier,” Walley said. “It’ll take some of the pressure off me having him outside making plays.”
Walley said the Bulldogs’ wideouts have improved their downfield blocking, a point of emphasis with the coaching staff in fall camp. Overall, it’s led to a better showing from the offense.
“I think we’ve still got work to do, but I think we’re definitely advancing our production,” Walley said.
But he knows it’s hard to tell when every week only pits the Bulldogs against themselves. In two weeks, of course that won’t be the case, and Mississippi State will be ready.
“I guess we’re just tired of facing each other,” Duncan said. “We’re just excited to play football.”
Theo DeRosa reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @Theo_DeRosa.
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