STARKVILLE — After being without him for a few weeks, the No. 21 Mississippi State football team learned Monday it will be without defensive back Brian Cole for the rest of the season.
Cole started four of MSU’s first five games at nickelback, but he suffered an upper-body against a Florida. He ends the season with 11 tackles, three for a loss, a sack, and an interception.
MSU has turned to Jaquarius Landrews and West Point native Marcus Murphy in Cole’s absence.
Also on the injury front, running back Kylin Hill, defensive tackle Braxton Hoyett, and wide receiver Keith Mixon are day to day. MSU coach Joe Moorhead said Monday he is optimistic about Hill and Mixon.
CBS picks MSU
For the first time this season, CBS will broadcast a MSU game when it takes on No. 1 Alabama at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Fitzgerald collects more honors
MSU quarterback Nick Fitzgerald was named the Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Week this week after throwing for 241 yards and rushing for 88 yards in a 28-13 victory against then-No. 16 Texas A&M on Saturday.
It is the sixth time Fitzgerald has collected that honor, which is a school record.
Simmons, Sweat honored
MSU defensive linemen Jeffery Simmons and Montez Sweat were named Monday semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award.
The Maxwell Football Club presents the Bednarik Award annually to the best college defensive player of the year. The field of contenders is made up of 20 candidates, featuring a representative from every Power 5 conference.
Simmons is one of two returners from last year’s semifinal list. MSU is one of five schools with multiple semifinalists, joining Alabama, Clemson, LSU, and Washington.
Sweat is tied for second in the Southeastern Conference and seventh in the Football Bowl Subdivision with eight-and-a-half sacks. He also has 11 tackles for loss, which is the third-most in the SEC.
Simmons leads all SEC defensive linemen with 39 tackles this season. He is tied for fourth in the conference with nine-and-a-half tackles for loss.
Semifinalist voting for the award will begin Wednesday and will close on Nov. 18. Three finalists will be announced Nov. 19. A second round of voting will take place at that time. Eligible voters include Maxwell Football Club members, NCAA head football coaches, sports information directors and selected national media.
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