STARKVILLE — Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers’ status remains in flux heading into the Bulldogs’ game at Auburn on Saturday, head coach Zach Arnett said Monday at his weekly press conference.
Rogers had started 38 consecutive games for MSU (4-3, 1-3 Southeastern Conference) prior to last Saturday’s 7-3 win at Arkansas, which he missed due to a left shoulder injury sustained in the fourth quarter against Western Michigan on Oct. 7. Mike Wright, a senior transfer from Vanderbilt, made his first start as a Bulldog, completing eight of 12 passes for 85 yards with a touchdown and an interception to go along with 60 rushing yards on 11 carries.
“Every guy on our roster is a little banged up,” Arnett said. “Will is progressing just like we expect. If he’s able to go, he’s going to go; if he’s not, he’s not. That goes for any other guy on our team. We’ve got several days here to continue to evaluate and see his progress in practice, and then we’ll make a determination.”
That statement presumably also applies to running back Jo’Quavious “Woody” Marks, who has been dealing with injuries dating back to the South Carolina game on Sept. 23. Marks looked good in the first half against the Razorbacks with a pair of key runs for first downs and a touchdown reception, but had his entire lower left leg wrapped up at halftime. He returned for the second half but was much less effective, with nine carries for just 13 yards.
Redshirt freshman linebacker Donterry Russell was helped off the field in the third quarter Saturday, with his older brother, defensive lineman De’Monte Russell, joining the trainers. The younger Russell made three solo tackles before his injury, including one for a four-yard loss when he blew up a shovel pass to Isaiah Sategna on the first play of the second half.
The bye week allowed the rest of the Bulldogs’ defense to work back to full health, and coordinator Matt Brock — who continued to call plays last week — dialed up effective blitzes all day long, sending linebackers and defensive backs after Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson.
“Every pressure we brought had been called prior to this point in the season,” Arnett said. “There was nothing that hadn’t shown up on film that our opponents hadn’t seen ahead of time.”
Co-captain Nathaniel “Bookie” Watson finished with 14 tackles and two sacks — en route to earning co-SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors — and is now tied for the conference lead in sacks with eight.
“It was one of the more impressive games I’ve ever had the privilege of seeing a linebacker play,” Arnett said. “We need more guys to step up and have performances like that as we finish up this season.”
Scouting Auburn
The Tigers (3-4, 0-4) are still searching for their first SEC victory, and the primary culprit is an offense that ranks last in the conference by a wide margin in passing yards per game and second to last in total yards per game. Auburn is currently 124th out of 133 Football Bowl Subdivision teams with just 5.6 yards per pass attempt.
Payton Thorne, a graduate transfer from Michigan State, has struggled as the Tigers’ primary quarterback with as many interceptions (five) as touchdowns. He has been effective as a runner, with 259 yards and two touchdowns, as has backup quarterback Robbie Ashford, who ran for three scores in Auburn’s season opener against Massachusetts.
Jarquez Hunter, who grew up in Mississippi and was named the Magnolia State’s Mr. Football at Neshoba Central High School, is the Tigers’ lead running back, with Brian Battie also getting his share of carries and Jeremiah Cobb and Damari Alston each averaging at least five yards per rush. Auburn’s issues at quarterback have affected the Tigers’ receivers — only Jay Fair and tight end Rivaldo Fairweather have at least 10 catches.
“Their athleticism at quarterback jumps (out),” Arnett said. “I know they’re maybe struggling a little bit at times, but their run game is very physical. Their running backs are all quick and strong, and the quarterbacks present some serious problems if they pull it down and run it.”
Auburn’s defense is coming off a three-game stretch against the SEC’s three best scoring offenses in Georgia, LSU and Ole Miss. The Tigers’ upcoming schedule looks far more manageable, with road trips to Vanderbilt and Arkansas after they host MSU, followed by a non-conference game against New Mexico State before the Iron Bowl against Alabama.
Linebacker Eugene Asante and lineman Marcus Harris lead the charge for Auburn up front, with 13 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks between them. The Bulldogs may want to avoid throwing at Jaylin Simpson, who is tied for second in the SEC with four interceptions and was named a midseason All-American by ESPN after moving from cornerback to safety this season.
“I’ve always admired (Tigers defensive coordinator Ron) Roberts’ scheme,” Arnett said. “I’ve watched a lot of his film over the years. He’s a brilliant mind coordinating the defense and they’ve got really good players. They have a couple linebackers who run and hit like I enjoy seeing football played.”
You can help your community
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 28 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
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 28 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
Join the Discussion