STARKVILLE — As a head coach, Dan Mullen is never happy when he leaves a scrimmage or practice.
Either the offense does well or the defense has a good day and the Mississippi State football coach says that is inevitable but frustrating at times.
Last week, the defense played well with six interceptions and a fumble recovery, but it was the offense’s turn Saturday. The offense scored 11 touchdowns and kicked three field goals in an open scrimmage at Davis Wade Stadium.
“One of the things sometimes I hate is the extreme,” Mullen said. “I want to see good football. I think as a head coach you feel pretty miserable no matter what happens. I want to see guys playing well.”
The offense did not turn the ball over this week and the quarterbacks were much better. Rising sophomore Elijah Staley was 17 of 28 for 213 yards and one touchdown. He rushed for 19 yards and two more touchdowns. Rising sophomore Nick Fitzgerald completed 15 of 25 passes for 145 yards and one touchdown. Redshirt junior Damian Williams was 12 of 17 for 173 yards and one touchdown and redshirt freshman Nick Tiano was 11 of 14 with a touchdown.
Although Mullen is happy that his quarterbacks responded well to their poor play, he has yet to think about who is separating themselves.
“I’m just compiling all my information on them still,” Mullen said. “We have a long way to go.”
Wide receiver has been thin this spring with Fred Ross and Donald Gray both out with injury. Rising sophomore Jamal Peters has played both safety and wide receiver this spring, but played safety in the scrimmage. Mullen said it’s a possibility he could play both in the fall, but broken fingers have limited him offensively.
Fred Brown was not at the scrimmage due to a “family matter,” but some young wide receivers stepped up in his absence. Redshirt freshman Jonnas Spivey had six catches for 103 yards and one touchdown and rising sophomore Malik Dear had eight catches for 133 yards and one touchdown. Redshirt freshman Deddrick Thomas, who had three catches for 55 yards, and rising junior Gabe Myles also had one touchdown each. Redshirt freshman Keith Mixon had seven catches for 80 yards.
“They’re guys that are taking steps forward,” Mullen said. “Now they have this opportunity to really learn. They’re getting some great opportunities for the first time when they kind of know what they’re doing.”
There wasn’t a featured running back in the offense last season and the Bulldogs used several in a rotation. Rising sophomores Aeris Williams, a West Point native, and Dontavian Lee combined for three touchdowns. Williams rushed for 38 yards on five carries and one touchdown. Lee rushed for 65 yards on 10 carries and two touchdowns.
Westin Graves made field goals from 34, 30 and 24 yards.
Defensively, rising senior safety Kivon Coman and rising sophomore safety Mark McLaurin had eight tackles each. Rising sophomore linebacker Gerri Green had three pass breakups.
The two scrimmages have been a contrast and Mullen is ready to see what the Maroon and White game, 11 a.m. Saturday (ESPNU), holds for both the offense and defense. Even though both sides have shined, this week of practice is crucial.
“We have to continue to take huge steps forward,” Mullen said. “We’ve got a young football team, so guys have to get the reps in that they need.”
n In other football news, defensive lineman Anfernee Mullins was arrested and charged with simple assault, a misdemeanor, Friday according to records from the Okitibbeha County Sheriff’s Office.
No other information on the arrest was given.
MSU issued this statement: “Both the Dean of Students office and the Athletics Department are aware of an off-campus incident involving Anfernee Mullins, and are working jointly to learn more about the situation.”
Mullins was not at the scrimmage and Mullen had no further comment on the situation when asked.
The Aliceville, Alabama, native was redshirted last season.
His arrest comes two weeks after MSU signee and Noxubee County High School standout Jeffery Simmons was arrested and charged with simple assault and disturbing the peace after a video surfaced of him allegedly striking a woman. Mullen said he is still gathering information on the Simmons incident.
n Mullen was named to the NCAA Football Oversight Committe this week.
He is the only current coaching serving and replaced Mark Richt, who had to drop out of the committee after transitioning from Georgia to Miami this offseason.
The committee oversees both the Football Bowl Subdivision and Football Championship Subdivision.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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