Mississippi State will be without a starter on both the offensive and defensive lines for the rest of the season. Head coach Jeff Lebby informed the media on Monday that right tackle Blake Steen and defensive end Will Whitson are both out for the rest of the year after sustaining injuries during games.
“Both those guys are down for the season,” Lebby said. “Won’t get either one of them back. An incredible opportunity for our next guys in, but not going to have either one of those guys the rest of the year.”
Whitson’s two sacks currently lead the team, and his disruptive presence on the edge was causing the Sun Devils all sorts of problems in both the run and pass game. His night was finished late in the second quarter after limping back to the locker room.
ASU was scoreless against the Bulldogs when Whitson was on the field, and scored 20 points the rest of the way after establishing the run in the second half.
Steen’s arm was in a sling on the sideline on Saturday after suffering an upper-body injury in Week 1 against Southern Miss in Hattiesburg. Lebby was hopeful at the beginning of last week that they could get him back at some point, but now, after further evaluation, he too has been shut down for the year.
Steen’s absence necessitated another shift along the offensive line. Redshirt sophomore Jayvin James came in at left tackle against Arizona State, with Albert Reese IV moving to right tackle and earning co-SEC lineman of the week honors with his performance. The interior of center Canon Boone and guards Jacoby Jackson and Zack Owens has worked well so far and will stay intact.
On defense, the Bulldogs will look to their replenished pass-rushing group to step up without Whitson. Deonte Anderson, who got the other sack on Saturday, is working with teammates Trevion Williams, Red Hibbler, and Joseph Head Jr. to compete for a starting defensive end spot.
You can help your community
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.
You can help your community
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.
