Scott Prather has covered Louisiana football for ESPN1420 for 14 years.
Ahead of the Mississippi State football team’s season opener on Saturday against Louisiana, Prather spoke with The Dispatch to discuss the Ragin’ Cajuns’ matchup against the Bulldogs, Louisiana’s three-headed monster in the backfield and the comment that brought coach Billy Napier unwanted nationwide attention.
The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Q: Last time out, Mississippi State didn’t have many problems with the Ragin’ Cajuns, taking them down 56-10. How much are the current players remembering about that game?
A: By all accounts, they haven’t talked much about last year’s game. They feel like both teams are completely different heading into the season opener, and some of Louisiana’s coaching staff is entering its second year, so there’s more familiarity there. There’s been a lot of praise about Tommy Stevens from both Louisiana players and coach Billy Napier. But Stevens is a different player than (former MSU quarterback Nick) Fitzgerald. They’ve watched some tape of him from Penn State and they know they’re playing a talented team, but they’re just focused on things they can control.
Q: With three running backs returning that combined for 2,290 rushing yards last year, how much of a luxury is that for the offense?
A: It’s the key to the offense and the strength of the unit. Raymond Calais has big play ability, ranging from returning long kickoffs back and hauling in long receptions. Trey Ragas is a bull, and a very physical runner, while Elijah Mitchell can do a little of everything. Those are three really talented guys and none have a weak spot but some do have more strengths than others.
Q: With eight returning starters on offense, can you tell there’s a lot of chemistry with the team in practice?
A: For the little bit of practice we get to see, there’s continuity from one year to the next. Quarterback Levi Lewis didn’t start every game last year, but he did play in every game. This year, unless he gets hurt, he’ll take every snap. Coach Napier will sometimes point out things a certain player needs to get better at, but he’s been complimentary of Levi. But losing their starting center hurts a little considering their offensive line is one of the team’s strongest assets, but they had all of fall camp to prepare, it’s not like the injury happened last week. They have talent at running back, wide receiver and all around the offense.
Q: Any sleepers for Louisiana on defense?
A: I think Chauncey Manac could have a big year. He’s an outside linebacker, was a former Georgia bulldog then went to JUCO, he has great pass rushing ability and really finished well in his first year. Linebacker Joe Dillon earned some publication’s third-team All-America honors as a freshman, but has been hurt the last few years. He’s a Mississippi native and maybe he can make the same impact as a redshirt junior that he did as a freshman. Zi’Yon Hill is good up front and excels at a little bit of everything. All three are great athletes and I’d look out for them on defense.
Q: Obviously Billy Napier caused quite a national stir when he suggested current players should donate 50 dollars each to the school’s athletic fund. Things have since died down, but what’s your take on the whole matter?
A: When he said it, I was surprised, then he eventually explained it how it really unfolded. The team has had different speakers come to fall camp three times a week, like former NFL players or famous alums. Then people in the business world came out. They’d speak about things like life after football … After one speech, some of the team’s leaders wanted to speak about what they could do to give back and then Napier suggested it. Players in the room said, “it was never told to us we had to do it, we made that decision as a team.” Napier said we might make it mandatory, then backed off and later clarified “that’s not what I meant.” Also, a student athlete’s cost of attendance stipend pays for a lot. From a perspective standpoint, you see the national headline that coach makes players give money to the athletic fund, and everyone thinks “well the players don’t get anything anyway.” There’s a little more to it than that. From what I’ve seen, there’s been no impact on the team in the locker room from the situation.
Q: Are the players excited about playing their season opener in the Superdome?
A: Yeah, they are. I know they’re hoping Cajun fans show up. For some of these guys, the uniqueness of this game has sort of a bowl-like feel to it. It’s cool to get away and play in this venue, because some of these kids grew up watching the Saints in the dome. They all say they’re excited about it, I don’t think anyone I’ve asked has said they don’t care.”
Q: Obviously, Mississippi State has had its own problems recently with 10 football players found guilty of academic misconduct by the NCAA. Is Louisiana hoping to take advantage of the distractions from Mississippi State’s end?
A:They haven’t mentioned it too much. We won’t know what players are even suspended until Saturday, so it’s not like you can game plan for it. When asked about it by the media, everyone has said they haven’t paid much attention. Mississippi State opened as a 20-point favorite and that did go down some after the sanctions, but Louisiana is still heavy underdogs. But they’re focused on controlling what they can control. If they got too caught up in what MSU does, that’s not going to bode well for them.
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