HOOVER, Ala. — Mississippi State University senior cornerback Johnthan Banks is convinced he’ll leave the Bulldogs program with an undefeated record against the University of Mississippi.
When MSU travels to Oxford to face Ole Miss on Nov. 24, it will have a chance to win its fourth straight game in the series for the first time since 1939-42.
On Wednesday, Banks guaranteed victory against Ole Miss during his session at the 2012 Southeastern Conference Media Days.
“We’re going to win the Egg Bowl for the fourth year in a row,” Banks told the media at the Wynfrey Hotel.
Ole Miss is the last team to win four straight in the rivalry (1983-1986).
Banks, who is MSU’s only consensus All-SEC player, followed his comment with a remark about new Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze, who replaced Houston Nutt.
“We ain’t really worried about that new coach,” Banks said. “He’s not going to get out there and play a snap.”
MSU coach Dan Mullen is entering his fourth season in Starkville. He is 3-12 against SEC Western Division opponents. The only victories have come against Ole Miss.
“Last year was a learning experience not just for our players but for our coaches and our support staff, student body, and our fans on how to handle expectations,” Mullen said. “Now there’s an experience of how to handle that. I think the expectations on the guys on our team are higher than they were last year. They’re used to handling it.”
Despite the inability to break through about the top teams in the Western Division, MSU has followed through in the Egg Bowl game, a matchup Mullen has emphasized since he arrived at MSU.
“It’s just something coach Mullen made sure was the number one priority when he took over,” MSU junior quarterback Tyler Russell said. “We still have the clock in the locker room, and we look at it every day.”
MSU’s Johnson out for “extended” period
Mullen said Wednesday he expects redshirt sophomore tight end Malcolm Johnson to return this season, but he doesn’t know how long it will take Johnson to recover from the injury.
Johnson, a 6-foot-2, 225-pound tight end, was one of 33 players selected to the 2012 John Mackey Award watch list, given to the nation’s best tight end. He suffered an undisclosed injury nearly two weeks ago. Mullen declined to elaborate on the injury.
“He had an injury suffered this summer. (It) probably (will) be an extended injury,” Mullen said. “But we expect him back on the field.”
MSU football spokesperson Joe Galbraith declined last week to elaborate about the injury due to the “team policy on injuries.” He refused to say if the injury was “upper body” or “lower body” related.
Without Johnson, Mullen said having Marcus Green back for a sixth year of eligibility will provide stability.
“That’s one of our deepest positions that’s already taken a hit before the season’s already started,” Mullen said. “It is good having Marcus back, a guy that has experience, that knows the program, believes in the program, has played in games.”
Johnson had 11 catches for 206 yards last season, but he quickly formed a bond with Russell. The duo combined for two touchdowns when Russell became a starter in the middle of last season.
Shumpert, Fosselman given medical redshirt status
Receiver Devin Fosselman and fullback William Shumpert will be on permanent medical scholarship in the fall semester. Mullen announced that move Wednesday.
The roster move allows both players, according to NCAA rules, to continue to attend MSU with full athletic aid. The move won’t count against the NCAA-imposed limit of 85 scholarships per program.
Shumpert has been dealing with a neck injury that required a procedure after last season, while Fosselman has suffered had back issues the past two seasons.
Rivals.com rated Fosselman, a 2011 signee from Woodville, the No. 14 prospect in the state as a senior at Wilkinson County High School.
Shumpert, a fourth-year junior, has played in seven games.
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