STARKVILLE — Joe Moorhead is a fan of Aeris Williams. It’s easy for Mississippi State’s football coach to see the skillset that produced a 1,000-yard season last year.
He was thrilled to see that skillset put back to use.
The West Point native MSU running back was held out of last week’s game against Kansas State, but after a week of earning playing time back, he went off for 101 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. He was MSU’s most-used running back — a departure from the Kylin Hill show of the first two weeks — in the No. 16 Bulldogs’ 56-10 win over Louisiana-Lafayette.
“I was very excited for him. He came back and had a very good week of practice, did all the things right from an accountability standpoint and off-the-field, had a very good week of practice and earned his carries,” Moorhead said. “It’s something we’ve talked about since the beginning of preseason and spring practice: individual response to prosperity and adversity. Aeris was hit with a little last week, challenged him to respond the right way and he did.”
The change in Williams from last week to this week spawned in a conversation he and Moorhead had after the Kansas State game. Williams said the two, “just had a good conversation, talking about ball.” Moorhead made it a point to let him know what the program’s expectations of him were, particularly as a senior. He knew Williams had good practice habits and trusted the issues from last week would subside.
He was clearly back to normal in time for Saturday.
“I wanted to run the ball the way I always run it,” Williams said. “Whatever it takes for us to be successful, from here on out.”
Wilcox honored, jersey retired
During halftime, MSU honored the life of Alex Wilcox, its softball player that passed away after battling ovarian cancer, and retired her jersey, No. 8. The football team had her number on the back of its helmets in teal, the color used to raise ovarian cancer awareness, and Hill — running back and Columbus native — carried a teal flag with him as the team took the field for the game.
The flag read: “No one fights alone.”
“I thought it was tremendous to honor Alex Wilcox tonight for everything she meant to this university, this athletic department and her team,” Moorhead said.
Injury report
Hill and cornerback Jamal Peters both went down with injuries, Peters in the first half and Hill in the second. Hill was later seen in full pads walking the sidelines free of any evident discomfort; Peters was seen in crutches on the sideline near the end of the game.
Moorhead said both have lower-body injuries but wasn’t sure of the extent; both will be evaluated Sunday.
Moorhead also said Cory Thomas’ suspension for a violation of team rules was a one-game matter and he can return to the team for the upcoming week of practice for the Kentucky game. It is Thomas’ second such suspension of the season, having already missed the season opener against Stephen F. Austin.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brett Hudson on Twitter @Brett_Hudson
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