STARKVILLE — Not that Mississippi State needed him in the second half Saturday, but an ankle injury forced senior tailback LaDarius Perkins to miss most of MSU’s 62-7 victory against Troy.
Perkins had five carries for 23 yards before aggravating the injury.
The Fox Sports South broadcast announced after halftime that Perkins, who is third on the team in rushing with 109 yards on 29 carries, would be inactive for the second half. MSU was leading 45-7, so backups Josh Robinson, Derrick Milton, and Ashton Shumpert wrapped up the victory. Mullen said three weeks ago Perkins suffered a sprained ankle in a season-opening 21-3 loss to then-No. 13 Oklahoma State. Perkins didn’t play against Alcorn State due to precautionary reasons. He had eight carries for 36 yards and two catches for 14 yards in a 24-20 loss at Auburn. He is expected to play next weekend vs. LSU.
Bell continues to struggle
MSU sophomore kicker Devon Bell’s search for answers continues after he missed a 30-yard field goal out late in Saturday’s win.
Bell is 6 of 13 from 30-39 yards in 17 career games. He also missed a 35-yard field goal wide right in the first quarter last week against Auburn. Against Troy, Bell missed wide left with MSU leading 52-7 in the third quarter.
Bell split the uprights on a 25-yard field goal in the first quarter to give MSU a 10-0 lead.
“I’m the one that’s got to put the ball through the uprights for my team and put points on the board,” Bell said. “That’s my job.”
MSU walk-on kicker Evan Sobiesk made a 24-yard field goal and an extra point in the fourth quarter. The field goal was Sobiesk’s first attempt. He has made three extra points.
Follow Matt Stevens on Twitter @matthewcstevens.
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