STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State weekly depth chart was a late arrival to coach Joe Moorhead’s press conference Monday.
Not initially included in the MSU game notes ahead of this week’s contest against Southern Mississippi, a Bulldogs’ media relations staffer passed out single-flier sheets with the two-deep roster minutes before Moorhead took the podium.
Nestled in the bottom left corner of the offensive side of the spreadsheet, junior quarterback Keytaon Thompson’s name made a startling return to the list as the co-No. 2 signal caller alongside freshman Garrett Shrader.
“We talked and decided he had explored his options after entering the portal and decided it was in his best interest as a player and for us as a team for him to return,” Moorhead said.
The revelation of Thompson’s reinstatement is a rather surprising end to a saga that began when he entered the portal roughly 24 hours after Penn State graduate transfer Tommy Stevens was named the starting quarterback Aug. 22.
Now back in the fold for 2019, it’s unclear what kind of role he will play. Thompson is still eligible for a redshirt season — which would leave him with two years of eligibility remaining after this year.
Moorhead said Monday that a plan is still being crafted for what the Bulldogs will do with him this year.
Kicking competition
While the quarterback competition has been decidedly settled for just under two weeks, the place kicking battle between junior incumbent Jace Christmann and classmate Jordan Lawless has persisted.
Christmann was not made available during last week’s season opener likely stemming from his offseason DUI arrest.
Thus, Lawless took on the place-kicking duties against Louisiana, albeit to shaky success. He finished the afternoon 1-for-2 on field goals — making one from 37 yards out and missing another from 27 yards — and 5-for-5 on extra points.
Moorhead confirmed Monday that Christmann will be available for this weekend’s home opener against Southern Miss — noting both kickers will compete throughout practice this week before he and his staff make a decision ahead of game time.
News and notes
Another week, another non-update on junior college running back Kareem Walker. The one-time Michigan man is continuing to deal with administrative issues that have persisted since the beginning of camp and held him out of competition.
“Unfortunately these things are out of my control,” Moorhead said. “It is still ongoing and as soon as I have a definitive answer I’ll let you guys know.”
Also in transfer news, Louisville import sophomore defensive tackle Allen Love has yet to hear a decision on his waiver.
Love would be a welcome addition for an MSU defense that Louisiana gashed for 164 yards and three touchdowns on the ground while struggling to muster any kind of pressure in passing situations.
On the injury front, MSU’s banged up offensive line appears to be in the clear after senior Darryl Williams, senior Evans Wilkerson and junior Dareuan Parker are day-to-day with lower body issues according to Moorhead.
Moorhead said all three went in for treatment Sunday and were expected to do the same Monday.
Lastly, junior running back Kylin Hill is full-go this week after having his leg twisted up in a pile late in the Louisiana game. Moorhead said he practiced Sunday after being dinged a touch.
Ben Portnoy reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @bportnoy15.
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