STARKVILLE — Early in training camp, Dan Mullen doesn’t want his players to get comfortable with the routine.
So the Mississippi State football coach mixes things up around the second week by holding practices at South Farm. Isolated from the Leo Seal Football Complex and almost everything else, it’s a time to concentrate for veterans and young players alike.
“I think it just changes it up,” Mullen said. “You can get monotonous after a while. The farm’s training camp. When you get out there, you’re in a training camp mentality. You just know it’s different. That helps the guys get through training camp.”
The Bulldogs had an early morning practice Saturday at the farm. It was also the first day of full pads. With temperatures over 100 degrees, Mullen said he was sweating so much that he had to take a shower before speaking to the media.
With players in full pads and a helmet bottling in the heat, it was even hotter for them.
“It’s just a different mind-set for the guys,” Mullen said. “For young players it’s maybe a little bit of, ‘Wow, this is a shock.’ But for the older guys who have been, we’re in training camp mind-set.”
MSU will have 10 practices over eight days at the farm. The last practice will be next Sunday, days before classes get underway.
MSU reported Monday and began fall camp Tuesday. Happiness abounded in the football building as football was back. Mullen said the first two weeks of training camp are the best because school hasn’t started and they can focus on football alone.
But the time at the farm isn’t meant to be fun.
“I think by having that place, going to practice there and having a separate training camp, it gives them a different feel for where we’re at and what part of the season it is,” Mullen said.
Simmons banged up
Freshman defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons has been bothered by an ankle injury in the first week of camp, defensive line coach Brian Baker said.
It hasn’t stopped the former Noxubee County High School standout from practicing, but it has hindered him from doing some things.
“He can’t really blow and go the way he wants to and the way he’s used to just yet,” Baker said. “A little bit of that is us nursing him through.”
Simmons picked up unwanted attention in the spring after a video surfaced of him striking a woman. He pled no contest to simple assault and was found guilty of malicious mischief — both misdemeanors.
MSU allowed him to enroll and he will miss the first game of his career, as well as, undergo evaluation by professionals.
Baker, who didn’t get to know Simmons in the recruiting process, said he has put that behind him and his biggest frustration is the ankle.
“The other part, he’s dealt with,” Baker said.
Many columns and opinions have been written on Simmons and the decision to allow him to enroll. Baker said they haven’t affected Simmons.
“If it was a situation where he was reacting to every time something comes up, then yeah, a lot of stuff. But he hasn’t done that, which I think exhibits a tremendous maturity level for a kid his age,” Baker said. “I was really pleased with that, pleasantly surprised, to be honest with you.
“He understands it. He understands his situation. He’s able to focus and move on.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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 32 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.