STARKVILLE — Keytaon Thompson is not the stereotypical backup quarterback to a returning starter. Most of them, all things considered, have it pretty easy, with their only duty coming in games well in hand or the occasional one-snap duty when the starter’s helmet pops off.
Thompson has been asked for more, but nothing like what is soon to be asked of him.
As far as debuts to significant playing time go, being called in at quarterback five minutes into the Egg Bowl is about as tough as it could get for the Mississippi State freshman. After the gruesome injury to his predecessor Nick Fitzgerald that prompted ankle surgery, Thompson will be asked to do it one more time in MSU’s bowl game, which will be determined Sunday.
A lot about the bowl game and Thompson’s career remains to be determined, but those within the program are certain of one thing: No. 16 MSU (8-4, 4-4 Southeastern Conference, No. 14 College Football Playoff) will see an improved Thompson in the bowl game.
“I learned a lot throughout the game,” Thompson said. “I thought I got better as the game went on, learning from my mistakes, what you can and can’t do, certain shots you take, playcalling and working with (MSU) Coach (Dan) Mullen. I learned a lot.”
Mullen added, “I thought as the game went on he continued to play better, continued to relax. I thought as a young guy coming in, he continued to get more and more comfortable as the game went on in making reads and making plays.”
After an Egg Bowl like that one, it seems unlikely that a bowl game will rattle the freshman.
Before Ole Miss pulled away in the second half, Thompson was in charge of navigating the team through a wild course of momentum swings. Just nine plays after Fitzgerald’s injury, Thompson ripped through the Rebel defense for a 32-yard gain that got MSU near midfield. The momentum swing again five plays later when a downfield pass to Osirus Mitchell was scratched by an offensive pass interference call; MSU punted three plays later.
Macon native and MSU defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons gave Thompson another chance by blocking a punt on the third play of the second quarter, giving MSU the ball in Ole Miss territory on the 42-yard line; Thompson promptly threw an interception well over the intended target.
“I been playing football for a minute. That’s not my first interception. I pretty much just got over it,” Thompson said. “I didn’t feel any pressure. I felt like I was ready to play, I just made some critical mistakes.”
Now he goes about correcting those mistakes.
Mullen said Thompson was likely to get a lot of reps in bowl practice anyway, but he will obviously get more as he prepares to start the game. Thompson said nothing will change for him in those practices and he will take what he learned from the Egg Bowl into the bowl game. Senior wide receiver Gabe Myles, who has been through his fair share of bowl practices, knows what can happen for a player in bowl prep.
“A lot,” Myles said. “It’s all determined on how much he wants to get better. If he wants to become a better quarterback, I know he’ll put the work in. It’s going to be an experience that he’ll always have and I think he’ll be able to roll that into the bowl game.”
With adequate time to prepare as the starter, the bowl game could give MSU a glimpse to its future, with Fitzgerald’s senior season looming next fall.
In Mullen’s eyes, so far, so good: “I think as everybody sees he’s got a bright future for us.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brett Hudson on Twitter @Brett_Hudson
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