STARKVILLE — Nick Fitzgerald watched Saturday as Damian Williams nearly led the Mississippi State football team to a fourth-quarter comeback against then-No. 20 LSU.
The sophomore starting quarterback lost his helmet before a crucial fourth-down play midway through the fourth quarter. Williams came in and led the Bulldogs to a touchdown. After an onside kick, Williams led another touchdown drive to cut the deficit to a field goal, but MSU lost 23-20.
After the game, MSU coach Dan Mullen said the play of Williams and Fitzgerald didn’t affect the quarterback position and that Fitzgerald was the starter moving forward.
Fitzgerald will get another chance to play an entire game at 2:30 p.m. Saturday when MSU (1-2) plays Massachusetts (1-2) at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. WCBI will broadcast the game live in th Greater Golden Triangle area.
“I really look forward to it,” Fitzgerald said. “I didn’t play the best game I’ve ever played and made a lot of mistakes, but that’s just an opportunity to come back stronger, fix those, and come back a better player.”
Fitzgerald has started all three games, but Williams has relieved him in two. After playing the first two series against South Alabama in the season opener, Williams took over and staked MSU to a 17-0 halftime lead. MSU lost 21-20.
Fitzgerald, who is 31 of 56 for 298 yards with two touchdowns, one interception, and 219 yards rushing, played every offensive snap against South Carolina in a 27-14 win in week two.
Against LSU, Fitzgerald was 12 of 24 for 120 yards. After rushing for 195 yards against South Carolina, LSU limited Fitzgerald to 13 yards rushing on 13 carries. The Tigers had four sacks.
MSU quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson, who stands behind Mullen’s decision, said Fitzgerald was up and down against LSU.
“I thought he made a couple of good plays,” Johnson said. “There are a couple of throws I’m sure he would like to have back. They were probably just a couple inches off or a yard off that had the potential to be some big plays.
“I did think he handled the environment well. It’s obviously a really tough place to go and play. I think he managed the game well and he did some good things and some stuff to build on as we move forward and keep getting deeper into his career.”
Fitzgerald said LSU defended the read option well, so had to give it up more times than not.
“There were times I played well and there times I played bad,” Fitzgerald said. “I’ve got to work on everything. Minus a couple of overthrows, my throwing wasn’t too terrible. I’ve just got to be better overall.”
After watching Fitzgerald on film, Johnson was encouraged about what is in store for the Richmond Hill, Georgia, native, because he believes the mistakes can be fixed.
“We have to clean up and we have to execute better,” Johnson said. “He obviously has a lot of personal pride and wants to perform well and play to the best of his ability. It’s our job to get that out of him.”
Johnson said he talked this week with Fitzgerald, Williams, and redshirt freshman Nick Tiano. He wants Williams and Tiano to prepare like they are starting. Williams is 25 of 36 for 237 yards and two touchdowns. Tiano hasn’t played this season.
Fitzgerald is excited to bounce back and prove himself in a NFL stadium. He said having Mullen and Johnson in his corner has increased his confidence.
“It’s good to know they still have confidence in me as the quarterback to go forward and make plays,” Fitzgerald said.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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