STARKVILLE — Brenen Thompson equalled a career best for touchdowns in a season when he hauled in the pass from Blake Shapen to put the Bulldogs ahead in the final minute against Arizona State last Saturday. The 58-yarder, his second-longest career reception, made it two scores on the year, and also put him just 16 yards shy of his previous best for yards in a season.
At 13 receptions, he is just six short of his past single-season best in that category as well.
Simply put, Thompson is getting his shot at being a true WR1 through two games at Mississippi State, and he is making the most of it.
“Obviously, there’s a lot of film and preparation that goes into that,” Thompson said after the game of winning his matchups. “Ultimately, just going out there and doing my job, winning my one-on-ones, and I feel like I did that tonight.”
Thompson arrived from Oklahoma after being used sparingly in the Sooners’ offense. His lightning-fast speed makes him an obvious deep threat, but that’s about all he was given a chance at previously. At MSU, he’s led the Bulldogs in receiving yards in back-to-back games, and not just from home-run plays.
Yes, the offense schemes to get the ball to Thompson behind the defense, but his speed has been utilized in other ways, as well. He’s quick to create separation in any direction, which has made him a useful weapon cutting inside of corners and on curl and comeback routes. His speed also makes him as dangerous with the ball in his hands as he is sprinting onto a lob downfield, which was on full display on the late winner against the Sun Devils.
He may have been underutilized previously, but Thompson is a known playmaker now after two great performances for the Bulldogs.
“I think it helps everybody, it helps the other wide receivers around me,” he said of his new role. “I think it helps the run game, and ultimately it helps the team. We need someone to go do that, and I’m the guy for that. Ultimately just doing everything I can in my power to help this team win with whatever it is. Whether it’s taking the top off the defense, catching a screen and going to score, blocking downfield, whatever that looks like, I’m here to do it.”
One teammate who has already benefitted from the attention on Thompson is fellow transfer Anthony Evans III. The former Georgia Bulldog had a standout performance on Saturday with nine catches for 108 yards and the opening score, a catch-and-run play similar to Thompson’s late in the game.
“Coach put us in the right spots to do what we needed to do,” Evans said, “and it was just a blessing to go out there and both get over 100 yards in the same game.”
Evans has already surpassed both of his seasons at Georgia in terms of production, and has proven to be another threat in multiple facets of the game beyond simply going long.
“I love it, I feel like other teams are scared of our speed, so they give us so much space underneath,” Evans said. “All we need is the ball in our hands, and then we go make plays after that. Make a couple of people miss, and a 25-yard catch could turn into an 85-yard touchdown. That’s what we love to do here.”
Evans did have a couple of drops in his first two games, notably a drop during a two-minute drill drive that could have become a big play. It’s something the entire offense struggled with in the second half, and head coach Jeff Lebby made a point of it when speaking about the passing game this week.
“We want to continue to create consistency across the board,” Lebby said. “Having the ability to call the game the same regardless of who is in, who goes first. Six to seven guys, that’s where we’re trying to get to, and it’s a work in progress. There’s been some great moments but we’ve got to play better, more consistent.”
The Bulldogs take the field again this Saturday against Alcorn State, a game that could feature several receivers behind Evans and Thompson on the depth chart. As Lebby opens up the playbook, he’s looking for more from his receivers.
There is a lot of potential for the Bulldogs to live up to the showtime style Lebby spoke of upon his arrival in Starkville, but even with two wins, fans have only seen a glimpse of what could be. While the receiver room was overhauled through the transfer portal, none of those newcomers have been WR1 before. Lebby wants to seize the opportunity to move the needle on offense and see his players continue to step up and push themselves beyond what was previously thought possible. It’s shaping up to be that sort of year for Thompson and Evans, but there is plenty more talent waiting in the wings to help boost a potentially prolific offense.
“I think one of the frustrating things last week was the drops,” Lebby said. “It wasn’t just the receiver room, the tight end room was involved in that, but we’ve got to make sure we’re keeping the football off the ground and make competitive plays to go be as efficient and effective as we need to be.”
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 35 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
