STARKVILLE — While the concept of a difference-maker is thrown around loosely in big-time college football, two Mississippi State University receivers showed the potential Saturday to earn that billing.
Sophomore athlete Jameon Lewis and freshman wide receiver Joe Morrow made a instant impact on MSU’s passing game in the annual Maroon-White spring game.
The duo was a major factor in the Maroon team’s 33-22 victory against the White team in what everybody on the roster and coaching staff acknowledged was a glorified scrimmage for the announced crowd of 22,604 on a converted 60-yard football field at Davis Wade Stadium.
“We had a lot of young guys that have not been in this particular situation and it was important to play them today,” MSU football coach Dan Mullen said.
The field dimensions were shortened to accommodate for a concert by Sugarland as part of Super Bulldog Weekend. The MSU athletic department pre-sold tickets for the combination of events for the first time in school history.
“It was a different playing on that short field, but once we get in our stadium we feel like we’re in the gladiator arena no matter the situation, so it was good to get a good show for the fans,” MSU senior linebacker Cam Lawrence said.
Lewis, who was seen at wide receiver and at Wildcat quarterback, had a game-high 144 yards receiving on 10 catches. He also had 20 yards on seven carries.
“He was one of the older guys that stepped up when we needed him to tonight,” Mullen said. “He was getting open and making big plays, but that’s what you expect out of him.”
The 5-foot-9 speedster from Tylertown has been more effective in picking up the offensive concepts and translating them into major production in game-like situations this spring.
“I still don’t know my exact role yet, but that’s a great thing because they’re trying to use him in a bunch of different ways,” Lewis said.
“That’s the exciting thing is I’m learning every day and becoming a more complete player with everything I pick up this spring.”
Lewis has said this spring season he was overwhelmed with the playbook and the offensive terminology to the point that MSU coaches were afraid to give him too much responsibility last season.
“There were times that the plays were so long I couldn’t figure out what I was supposed to pay attention to,” Lewis joked. “Whenever and however I get the ball this year, my goal is to make sure that play scores points somehow.”
Morrow, who has been one of the favorite targets of MSU starting quarterback Tyler Russell all spring, showcased his big-play ability on a 17-yard catch pitch-and-catch fade pass in the second quarter.
“He’s a guy you have to reckon with, and (if) we give Tyler some time this fall you better watch out because he’ll break one on you like that,” MSU offensive coordinator Les Koenning said. “Jameon Lewis and Joe Morrow have pushed people for starting jobs, and I can say that definitively now the spring is over.”
In his first game in Davis Wade Stadium, Morrow had 97 yards receiving on six catches and a score. It was a breakthrough performance for a freshman who had two dropped passes earlier in the game.
“I thought he did some good things, but obviously still has some things he needs to clean up,” Mullen said. “He has to be more consistent but if he gets the drops out of his system then he’s good to go.”
In the first time in the spring football game, Russell left Davis Wade Stadium without throwing an interception. It was a drastic difference from two years ago when he threw one in his first pass and was booed off the field.
“My offense had a pretty good day and that was so key to everybody’s confidence out there especially the young guys,” Russell said. “I’ve been there and done everything, so no matter who was out there we moved the football and made plays time and time again.”
The junior quarterback, who is the clear starter at the position coming out of the spring, was 24 of 43 for 312 yards and two touchdowns. Most of Russell’s throws were intermediate routes, as Koenning and the rest of the offensive staff have tried to get the former Parade All-American to stop trying to throw the deep pass too often.
“When we recruited him we knew he could throw the football, but what I’ve been excited about is that he’s understanding protections and where he’s strong,” Koenning said. “He knows where to dump it off and check it down. He did that extremely well today.”
MSU will return to fall camp in August.
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