STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State football team scrimmaged for the second time during fall training camp Saturday night at the Leo Seal Jr. Football Complex.
Described by head coach Joe Moorhead as a “15-round heavyweight bout,” the scrimmage featured plenty of back-and-forth action between the offense and the defense, with each unit having its moments. Special teams worked on all four phases.
Moorhead was pleased with his squad’s second scrimmage, saying it was consistent and representative of what the preseason camp has been like as a whole.
“We got a ton of work done, so I was very pleased,” Moorhead said. “It was exactly where we needed to be. Was the precision there? No, but another positive step in the right direction.”
Several player’ family members were in attendance and joined the Bulldogs for a post-practice barbecue dinner.
Moorhead said he has been pleased with the development of the wide receivers, and that he is excited about the Bulldogs’ defensive line.
“We are going to be battled tested on the O line getting to go up against these guys every day,” Moorhead said. “Coach (Brian) Baker does an unbelievable job. They play with a great motor, very physical, run game, pass game. I think those are two areas that I have kind of stood out.”
MSU will have its third and final scrimmage of camp Wednesday.
“We need improvement in everything,” Moorhead said. “I don’t think we’re necessarily where we need to be at any phase or any position, but we’re a heck of a lot closer than we were in the spring. We’re a heck of a lot closer at practice 12 than we were at practice one. The progression of the installation and taking the information from the meeting room to the field, the kids are executing at a high level. This is as good as any first-time installation — offensively, defensively, and special teams — that I have been around. I’m very optimistic, but I’m glad we still have two more weeks to prepare.”
Moorhead said the final two weeks of training camp will be spent “fine-tuning” the installation of the systems. He said the coaching staff will draft a depth chart following the scrimmage Wednesday.
MSU won’t practice Thursday. He said the team will have its first practice to prepare for Stephen F. Austin, its opponent in the season opener on Saturday, Sept. 1, on Friday.
Southern Mississippi goes through second fall camp scrimmage
HATTIESBURG — Heavy afternoon rains couldn’t keep the Southern Mississippi football team from getting in its second full scrimmage of fall camp Saturday evening.
While the offense put up some good numbers, coach Jay Hopson praised the play of the defense.
“Give the defense credit,” Hopson said. “They came out with a lot of fire. You could tell that early in practice. They came out ready to scrimmage and did a really good job today.”
The defense registered three interceptions, including one each from Wydale Flott, Ky’el Hemby, and DQ Thomas. Hemby also collected a pass breakup along with Ernest Gunn. Denzel Washington and Darian Yancey added fumble recoveries.
Darius Kennedy, Jeremy Sangster, and LaDarius Harris had two sacks.
Jack Abraham was 13-for-29 for 127 yards and three touchdowns (one interception). Abraham hit Neil McLaurin from 48 yards and Quez Watkins on two 3-yard throws. Watkins led the receivers with seven catches for 36 yards.
Steven Anderson led the way with 78 rushing yards on 21 carries, including a 1-yard scoring run.
Southern Miss took Sunday off. It will return to practice Monday morning.
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