Shades of Gray
In his sixth year, Mullen has built a team filled with depth and experience, two factors that limit the need for early playing time from incoming freshmen. Through last week, the Bulldogs had played just a few freshman, including punt returned Jamoral Graham and kicker Logan Cooke. Against Arkansas, however, freshman linebacker J.T. Gray, from Clarksdale, joined that list.
Gray, a speedy linebacker in the mold of a Matt Wells, was called upon after injuries to redshirt freshman Dez Harris and junior linebacker Zach Jackson, two moves that forced Gray into action on kickoff coverage. The freshman responded by earning Special Teams Player of the Week recognition within the program, as he made tackles on three of MSU’s four kickoffs.
“He had three tackles on four plays,” said Mullen. “We went in to the game and were not sure if he was going to play or not. We talked about it earlier in the week and told him it was not a definite. He was ready to go and wanted to play, and on the opening kickoff had an assisted tackle during his first college snap. We tell our younger guys that you play how you practice, and he has been a maniac on the scout kick off team. Our young guys practice so hard because they want to play hard one day. His opportunity happened to be Saturday, and when his number was called he was ready to go.”
Mixing and matching
All season, MSU’s defense has leaned on liberal substitutions, as defensive coordinator Geoff Collins has a built two separate units, MSU’s “1A” and “1B” defenses, that swap out frequently, sometimes with each changing possession.
Against Kentucky, the philosophy came back to bite the Bulldogs, as the 1B unit gave up twice as many yards and 24 points to the Wildcats, while the starting group yielded just one score.
In the ensuing 17-10 win over Arkansas, the rotation of defensive units was non-existent, as the Bulldogs returned to a more traditional methon of bringing in players from the sideline.
“It worked out pretty well in terms of points,” said Mullen. “We made some big plays on defense and did not give up points. In the end, that is the most important aspect of it. We still gave up yards. I still think we want to get off the field more.”
Graham cracks
Earlier this season, after the Buldogs struggled with fielding punts in the season opener against Southern Miss, true freshman Jamoral Graham was inserted into the lineup to stabilize MSU’s punt returns. For a game or so, it worked.
But against Texas A&M, the freshman muffed a punt that became a turnover, giving Texas A&M the ball deep inside MSU territory. He has made the same mistake in every game since.
Against Auburn and Arkansas, Graham dropped punts that led to turnovers, and it cost the Bulldogs seven points in the narrow win over the Razorbacks. Following that mistake, Graham was lifted from the lineup and replaced by sophomore Fred Ross.
On Monday, Mullen was asked if the change is permanent.
“We will see how things go at practice,” said Mullen. “He was in that position because at practice he was the best at returning punts. Saturday he had a shot at a return and took his eyes off the ball before he caught it. You are not going to catch balls that way. Those are little things that he has to continue to improve on.”
Quarterback shuffle?
Prescott was asked early this week how he felt after appearing to move gingerly at times against Arkansas.
“I feel great,” said Prescott. “I’m ready to go this Saturday.”
While that may be true, it might not be necessary.
In the Bulldogs’ first three wins of the season, all double-digit wins against non-conference opponents, backup Damian Williams played early and often, spelling Prescott throughout each game.
Against a UT-Martin defense that gives up nearly 30 points per game, Williams could see playing time again as the Bulldogs might opt to save wear-and-tear on Prescott with next week’s trip to Alabama looming.
“That’s a decision we will make later in the week,” said Mullen. “Early in the year, we certainly wanted to play Damian to have him ready because you’re always one play away from being the guy. At this point in the year, we haven’t thought about it as much, but we will talk about that as we finalize the game plan.”
Perfect timing
For the second time this season, the Bulldogs will play on the SEC Network. On Aug. 30, MSU opened the season with a 49-0 walloping of Southern Miss on the new channel, and on Saturday, the Bulldogs will kick off with UT-Martin at 3 p.m.
“We are very fortunate to get a 3 p.m. kickoff for Homecoming,” said Mullen. “I do not know if there is a better time to play a Homecoming game. We have had an unbelievable home field advantage this year and I think that has helped us win several games this year. Having a sold out and loud stadium has created issues for the opposing team, and we need that again this Saturday.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brandon Walker on Twitter @BWonStateBeat
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