STARKVILLE — The list of things Dan Mullen hasn’t experienced in nine years as Mississippi State football coach is almost non-
existent.
Mullen hit one more this week.
For the first time, MSU’s open week on the schedule matches up with the fall break for the student body. Mullen responded by making Wednesday the last day of bye week practice and giving the players four days off before they have to return Monday to begin preparations for BYU (11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 14, SEC Network).
“One of the biggest things is student-athlete quality of life. That’s one of the big catch phrases,” Mullen said. “We get them some quality of life now that our bye week matches up with their fall break so they can go home for a couple of days. That’s why we’re going to give them Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off.”
The bye week is a time to heal for everyone, but some are getting more. Injured players like left tackle Martinas Rankin, defensive tackle Cory Thomas, linebacker Traver Jung, and wide receiver Gabe Myles aren’t practicing this week. Mullen said head trainer Dan Jacobi came to offer an update on their status and Mullen wasn’t all that interested. He’ll be more tuned in Monday.
This week, the Bulldogs have gone back to fundamentals. Preparing for BYU won’t begin in earnest until next week, but Mullen admitted coaches will have it on their minds and might sneak some reps into practice without telling the players.
Couch’s time?
One catch over MSU’s first four games quickly turned into two catches for 60 yards against Auburn.
Sophomore wide receiver Jamal Couch saw it as Mullen and wide receivers coach Billy Gonzales rewarding him for blocking well.
Will there be more?
“We’d love to, but that’s what these weeks are for,” Mullen said of getting Couch more involved in the offense. “They’re really kind of coming along, and this is a great week for them to accelerate. They’re getting the majority of the reps with the (starters), Jamal and Reggie (Todd), trying to force feed and get them up to speed, ready to go, get them ready to contribute consistently. ”
Couch knows the bye week is an opportunity to create a bigger role. He said he wants to attack the bye week like it’s “a new start to the season.”
If Couch sees more playing time, he could provide a downfield threat. MSU is last in the Southeastern Conference in quarterback rating (111.93) and yards per attempt (5.7). With Couch, who is 6-foot-4, as MSU’s only non-freshman wide receiver taller than 6-2, the Bulldogs hope Couch’s height could provide quarterback Nick Fitzgerald more room for error in throwing downfield.
Reviewing Eiland
The sprained ankle Rankin suffered paved the way for freshman Greg Eiland to get more playing time. It was his first action other than in the closing minutes of blowouts.
“He went in there and did OK,” Mullen said. “Sometimes he went in there and did some decent things. Sometimes he looked like a freshman. He’s getting a bunch of reps this week just in case he has to go in again.”
Starkville Quarterback Club
The Starkville Quarterback Club won’t meet this week.
The next meeting will be Oct. 12, when the featured speaker will be former MSU football player and NFL receiver/kick returner Glen Young.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brett Hudson on Twitter @Brett_Hudson
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