STARKVILLE — Speaking with the media Monday, there was a quiver in Joe Moorhead’s lip.
Generally soft-spoken and easy-going, Moorhead boasted an audible tension and cognisense of Mississippi State’s on-field shortcomings the past few weeks — most notably with Saturday’s 20-10 loss to lowly Tennessee.
“We talk to our kids all the time about reasons and excuses,” He said. “And at the end of the day, there’s no excuse. We were outcoached, we were outplayed with 13 days to prepare. We need to, we can and we will do better because our program deserves it.”
Recognizing the need for a change in Starkville, Moorhead’s impassioned plea to the fan base closed with a seemingly overdue change at quarterback.
After six games of back and forth between Penn State transfer Tommy Stevens and freshman Garrett Shrader, Moorhead officially handed the reins to the latter Monday.
“Tommy still isn’t completely over some of his (injuries), but we just feel like Garrett’s been playing and moving the ball well,” Moorhead said. “He just gives us a great shot (to win).”
The move comes after Stevens was benched at halftime of the Tennessee game following a 6-for-11, 67 yard, two interception performance in the first half on Rocky Top. And while Shrader was not appreciably better against the Volunteers — 5-of-10 for 79 yards, a touchdown and an interception — the mid-year enrollee has, in Moorhead’s mind, earned the chance to take over under center.
“Based on what we’ve seen the past few weeks, both guys are kind of dealing with injuries, but Garrett leading us in the win over Kentucky and coming in at the end of the Auburn game and providing a spark, he did the same thing with Tennessee,” Moorhead said.
It’s also worth noting junior Keytaon Thompson remains the No. 3 quarterback. Thompson, who entered the transfer portal after losing the starting job to Stevens in August, has yet to play since returning to MSU.
“Obviously with (Stevens and Shrader) playing and KT still having a redshirt year we’re being very mindful of that as well,” Moorhead said. “He hasn’t played in a game yet and that plays a small part in it but if he were to the point where playing him would give us the best opportunity to win we would — it’s just not where we’re at right now.”
With Hill slowed, MSU looking for more in passing game
While Moorhead has turned to Zuber in trying to spark the MSU offense, junior Kylin Hill has come to a startling halt from his historic start to the campaign.
After totaling 551 yards yards over the first four games of the year, Hill rushed for just 13 yards on 11 carries Saturday against the Volunteers.
Speaking postgame, Moorhead insisted Hill is healthy, but that the Bulldogs simply couldn’t get anything going. That said, Moorhead again addressed the issues in the running game Monday.
“Obviously the last two games have not been up to standard,” Moorhead said of Hill. “But that’s going to happen.”
“There were games at Penn State where we had (Saquon Barkley) — arguably the best player in the country — and defenses would do some unique things to keep the cap down,” he continued. “But the difference was when that was happening we were able to create explosive plays down the field with the pass game. And that’s something I’ve talked about in the past — when they are bottling up the run game we have to find a way to take advantage of it, move the ball, create points in the other area.”
Zuber becoming a larger factor?
With the MSU offense realing for any semblance of playmaking, Moorhead may be motioning toward a quietly dynamic receiver in hopes of finding some explosiveness.
Senior receiver Isaiah Zuber entered the season with high expectations. After totaling 1,321 career receiving yards and notching receptions in 31 of his 38 games at Kansas State, Zuber has been noticeably quiet since arriving in Starkville.
That said, Saturday offered a glimpse of what the one-time Wildcat could provide. Though he didn’t record a single catch and was targeted just once, he did notch four yards on a reverse in a creative play-calling effort from Moorhead and the offensive staff.
The Bulldogs also looked to hit Zuber deep on a stop-and-go route early in the contest, but Stevens double-clutched and was sacked on the play.
“Yes we’ve had that talk and we’re doing our best efforts to make sure that there are plays, not just going to him but to his position,” Moorhead said.
Ben Portnoy reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @bportnoy15.
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