STARKVILLE – Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor took a shotgun snap and immediately turned to his right and threw a short pass to running back Fluff Bothwell, who looked as if he was preparing to charge down the right sideline of Scott Field at Davis Wade Stadium before he suddenly stopped running.
In an instant, Bothwell reached back and fired a deep pass down the field to a wide-open Anthony Evans III for an explosive and unexpected touchdown that sent a shockwave of enthusiasm through the Bulldogs’ offense. That moment was just one of many eye-popping plays the team showcased on Saturday at an open practice in which newcomers, returners and even a glimpse of potential starting lineups were put on display in front of fans and media members.
In what could be a preview of the Sept. 5 matchup with ULM, head coach Jeff Lebby rolled out an offense that featured Taylor at quarterback, Brothwell at running back, Evans and Sanfrisco Magee at wide receiver and Sam West at tight end. On the offensive line featured redshirt junior Miles McVay at left tackle, LSU transfer DJ Chester at left guard, returning starter Canon Boone at center, redshirt freshman and Arkansas transfer LJ Prudhomme at right guard and redshirt junior Jakheem Shumpert-Perkins at right tackle.
Areas of improvement
Offensive line improvement and Taylor’s health were two of the biggest questions about the team after the conclusion of last year’s 5-8 season, and both looked equally improved on Saturday. The Bulldogs struggled to protect their signal caller as the season waned, eventually giving way to a scary looking foot injury for Taylor during the team’s bowl-game loss. With plenty of time to throw, Taylor fired a deep pass to Magee to get the offense moving before Brothwell got involved and looked like himself with a bruising scramble up the middle.
The line held its own against the Bulldogs’ defense for the majority of the practice and helped block for five total touchdown throws, three by Taylor. It wasn’t all brilliant, though. Twice the line gave way to a would-be sack on Taylor – the first by defensive lineman and Auburn transfer DJ Reed and the second by linebacker and redshirt sophomore Fatt Forest. The unit also provided some solid running room for Brothwell, Kolin Wilson and freshmen JJ Hill and Cooper Crosby from the backfield.
“I thought the first group was good, Lebby said. “They did some really good things, they actually gave up two sacks, but I mean I thought the pocket most of the day was pretty clean – which on the other side of the ball I want more. I want to be able to press the pocket, win some one-on-ones. I thought in two-minute there at the end of it, the way we were able to protect on a couple of things was really, really good in that situation.”
Taylor agreed that the offensive line has improved from last year.
“Those guys have taken a big stride,” he said.
‘That’s the goal’
Taylor himself looked quick and spry on the ground and equally as fast with the timing on his throws, connecting on deep scores to Evans and Harris and short-yardage touchdown pass to redshirt freshman Gracen Harris during red-zone drills. Taylor, though, thought it wasn’t a great performance, mainly pointing to two plays in particular he wanted back from the practice. One of them caused a turnover. Looking for a pass down the field he threw a ball a little behind his intended target and allowed lockdown returning corner Kelley Jones to snag it and run out of bounds just before the end of the practice.
“I didn’t play good, in my opinion,” he said. “I had made some plays, my receivers made some plays for me and I had plays that I messed up on. … Me, I am a perfectionist. I want to be perfect every time I step on the field. I know it’s not reality, but that’s the goal, that’s the standard that I have set for myself, so I don’t think I did too well.”
For the starting defensive group, defensive coordinator Zach Arnett rolled out Florida State transfer Amaree Williams, Trevion Williams, Texas A&M transfer Dealyn Evans and Reed on the defensive front. At linebacker were returners Tyler Lockhart and Forrest. East Central Community College transfer Jett Jefferson and returner Isaac Smith were at corner, and LSU transfer Jardin Gilbert, Jones and returner Tanner Johnson were all at safety.
The unit provided some strong rushes and pass coverage at times, but occasionally found itself watching the offense move the ball – though tackling was very limited due to injury concerns for the practice.
“Defensively I thought we did a good job, outside of the explosive plays, of keeping the ball in front of us and making the offense snap the ball again and taking advantage of some opportunities of some bad situations the offense put themselves in,” Lebby said. “I think our guys are playing fast, they’re playing physical. .. I thought with the way it started and the way the defense was able to sustain at times was really good to see.”
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