STARKVILLE — Gabe Myles went down with a foot injury two weeks into the season and didn’t come back a month; Donald Gray suffered a groin injury during the Texas A&M game and remains questionable as of Wednesday.
In both situations — and any others that come in the future — Jesse Jackson is the one Mississippi State will call upon.
MSU’s junior wide receiver has taken advantage of the void created by injuries as evidenced by his receptions per game: he caught one pass each in MSU’s first three games before two each against Georgia, Auburn and BYU and three against Kentucky before last week’s four-catch game against Texas A&M. It’s not out of the question to see more of the same as MSU (6-2, 3-2 Southeastern Conference) hosts UMass (2-6) 11 a.m. Saturday at Davis Wade Stadium.
“One of the things with a guy like Jesse is he really understands the position: we’re able to move him around because he’s very intelligent. With that experience, he knows every position,” MSU coach Dan Mullen said. “The great thing about it is not only does he know what to do, he also understands the technique and the route running of the different positions. With all the injuries we’ve had, there’s been a great opportunity for him and he’s gone out and made plays.
“You can see the development that comes along with the program.”
Jackson said he has switched positions multiple times in the last few weeks to fill holes injury created and has even added some slot work to his arsenal. MSU slot receiver Keith Mixon was injured recently and, although he’s expected to be back, MSU could turn to Jackson if needed.
“Injuries are starting to happen, so I kind of have to step up to fill the role of whoever gets injured,” Jackson said.
He’s shown just that over the last month.
“Inside is a little bit easier technique-wise as far as getting open on different people,” Jackson said. “On the outside, it’s less thinking, that’s an adjustment I have to make.”
Jackson’s surge in recent games may have been an unexpected development for the public, but Mullen was hinting at an improved Jackson as early as the preseason. Back in August Mullen said Jackson was showing signs of a player that, “really gets it now,” a player that’s understanding the speed of the game.
In that sense, Jackson is a perfect example of the developmental program Mullen runs.
Jackson was a 3-star wide receiver out of Pearl when he committed to MSU during his senior season. He had scholarship offers from notable programs including Alabama, Auburn and Ole Miss, but also lacked offers from schools such as Georgia and Florida State that also recruited him; all told, Jackson wasn’t the recruit that was lighting the world on fire.
So he enrolled at MSU and took on a redshirt year. He took on special teams roles as a freshman and ended his sophomore season with just one catch, a seven-yard reception. The transformation of a player with that immediate history into one that can catch four passes for 39 yards on the road against a SEC opponent may have had less to do with him and more to do with his collaboration with quarterback Nick Fitzgerald.
“I think me and Fitz started to get a better connection as far as route-running and how I field his throws and everything,” Jackson said.
Jackson could see the connection paying off as early as the week of practice leading up to the Texas A&M game. That’s why he wasn’t surprised when he caught two passes on MSU’s opening drive, even though that was in no way planned.
“I think it was how we prepared all week,” Jackson said. “If you’re dropping balls in practice, he might not feel comfortable with you; when he gets flushed out of the pocket, he’s going to think, ‘Who were my playmakers throughout the week?’ and that’s who he’s going to take a shot to.”
The trend says more shots are heading Jackson’s way.
Fitzgerald named finalist for Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
Fitzgerald was selected as one of 10 finalists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, the organization announced Wednesday.
The award, which has been presented to the country’s top college quarterback since 1987, recognizes seniors or fourth-year quarterbacks for their accomplishments on the field as well as their character, citizenship, academic achievements, and leadership qualities.
Fitzgerald is the lone quarterback to represent the Southeastern Conference. He is the first Bulldog to be named a finalist for the award since Dak Prescott in 2015.
Fitzgerald is 119-for-209 (56.9 percent) for 1,320 yards and 13 touchdowns. He leads MSU with 686 yards rushing, which is the most by a SEC quarterback this season.
He averages 83.2 yards per game and also leads the team with 10 rushing scores, which is tops amongst SEC quarterbacks and ranks second overall in the conference. In total this season, Fitzgerald has accounted for 2,006 yards of offense and 23 touchdowns.
The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award will be presented on Friday, Dec. 8, in Baltimore.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brett Hudson on Twitter @Brett_Hudson
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