Mississippi State takes on Alcorn State in its third game of the season on Saturday. Here’s a look at who has the edge at each position.
Quarterback
Blake Shapen had a big game on Saturday, outplaying the visiting leader under center with three big touchdown passes and a calm approach to the position in the first half. He took some unnecessary sacks, but otherwise showed the poise that had head coach Jeff Lebby so eager to bring him back.
The Braves are led by quarterback Jaylon Tolbert, a junior who has shown he can make big plays in a shootout loss to Alabama A&M last week. However, as is the case across the board, they don’t quite stack up against the Bulldogs.
Edge: Mississippi State
Running back
The Bulldogs struggled to establish the run against an experienced Arizona State team, but the story will likely be different against a Braves defense that gave up more than 400 total yards of offense last week. Running backs Fluff Bothwell and Davon Booth have both had big plays this season, but as a whole the offensive line and backs have struggled to establish anything on the inside. Look for that to change against Division II opposition as the Bulldogs try to open up the playbook.
Edge: Mississippi State
Wide receiver/tight end
Shapen has plenty of options out wide, but the early promise has come from Brenen Thompson and Anthony Evans III. The transfer duo have found big roles to play in the MSU offense, and both had 100-yard games against the Sun Devils last week. There is a good opportunity for playmakers behind them on the depth chart to step up in this game as well, such as Ayden Williams and Rickey Johnson Jr., who have had some involvement already on offense.
The Braves have some talent at this position as well, and will be a challenge with the ball in their hands. Omarion Blakes and Tyran Warren bring experience to the position, as does transfer and Louisville native Jarvis Rush, who may look to have a big game with proximity to his old stomping grounds as a Wildcat.
Edge: Mississippi State
Offensive line
Despite a rearranging of the offensive line, the Bulldogs remain strong at the position.
Starting right tackle Blake Steen went down with a shoulder injury in the season opener at Southern Miss, and after a week of evaluation it was determined he would miss the rest of the year. Albert Reese IV moved over to fill the hole while Jayvin James filled in at left tackle against Arizona State. Despite some problems running the ball and sustaining drives, the group proved effective in pass protection and ran a tight two-minute drill to win the game.
Edge: Mississippi State
Defensive line
The Bulldogs managed to get a lot of pressure on ASU quarterback Sam Leavitt in the first half last week, but the group struggled to stop the Sun Devils ont he ground in the second half. Sack leader Will Whitson also went down for the year, creating a hole that needs to be addressed on the edge this week.
All in all, the Bulldogs have plenty of depth at the position, which was not the case last year, so expect coaches to utilize those pieces to identify a long-term answer at pass rusher and to defend the interior.
For Alcorn State there is plenty of experience on the line. Seniors Kaden Kenney and Gideon Spotsville anchor a group that has five upperclassmen, but the group hasn’t put up much against the run or pass yet this year.
Edge: Mississippi State
Linebackers
The defensive edge continues to go to the Bulldogs at linebacker, where MSU has some of its brightest talents. Jalen Smith, Issac Smith and Nic Mitchell all put in a big shift last week, with the latter earning SEC weekly honors for his performance.
The position is a strength for the Braves as well, with Graduate linebackers Stemarion Edwards and Jaquez Dews, but the edge goes to the Bulldogs.
Edge: Mississippi State
Secondary
The Bulldog secondary has shown up in both games this season, shutting down the deep ball against Southern Miss in Hattiesburg and restricting ASU throughout the game in the home opener. DeAgo Brumfield has a heck of a game with five solo tackles, including a touchdown-saving chasedown late in the fourth quarter. Teammates Hunter Washington and Jayven Williams both recorded interceptions as well.
Edge: Mississippi State
Special teams
Kyle Ferrie set a new program record with a 55-yard field goal against Southern Miss, and was good from shorter range against the Sun Devils last week as well. The punting game took a hit with a shanked punt late in the first half, but Lebby has two options to continue testing at the position.
Edge: Mississippi State
Marching band
No shade to the Famous Maroon band, but the matchup is tilted towards the visitors this week. Expect to see a show from the Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite and the Golden Girls on Saturday, both in the stands and on the field at halftime.
Edge: Alcorn State
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 35 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
