STARKVILLE — Mississippi State starting quarterback Nick Fitzgerald will not play in the season opener against Stephen F. Austin, coach Joe Moorhead announced. Moorhead said Fitzgerald committed a violation of team rules in March and is serving a one-game suspension for that, making him available for MSU’s second game against Kansas State.
Defensive tackle Cory Thomas and offensive lineman Michael Story will miss for the same reason. Story’s is tied to an arrest last week for a misdemeanor animal cruelty charge.
“Nick’s violation occurred in March; since that time he’s been elected team captain, he’s had an awesome spring ball, he’s had an awesome summer conditioning, he’s had an awesome preseason camp and he’s been a great teammate,” Moorhead said. “Nick will serve his suspension, won’t play this week and will be back the next week against Kansas State.”
MSU has been in this situation before: Fitzgerald missed last year’s TaxSlayer Bowl after the ankle injury he suffered in the Egg Bowl; Thompson started in his place and led MSU to a 31-27 win, completing 11 of his 20 passes for 127 yards. He also ran 27 times for 147 yards.
One more scholarship
Moorhead said starting long snapper and former walk-on Joel Baldwin was placed on scholarship last week, bringing MSU to the full 85 scholarships allowed by the NCAA. MSU was at 83 before placing safety Stephen Adegoke on scholarship before Baldwin.
Depth chart news
Columbus native Kylin Hill and West Point native Aeris Williams shared the top running back spot on MSU’s first depth chart, released Monday. Austin Williams and Deddrick Thomas did the same at the slot receiver position, Jesse Jackson and Osirus Mitchell do so at the Z receiver position and Justin Johnson and Farrod Green share the top spot at tight end.
Keith Mixon is listed behind Williams and Thomas at the slot receiver position, but he is listed the starting punt returner. West Point native Marcus Murphy will be a kick returner alongside Brian Cole.
The full depth chart can be found on the MSU Sports Blog here on cdispatch.com.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brett Hudson on Twitter @Brett_Hudson
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