The Mississippi State Bulldogs are looking to return to the success of the 1998, 1999 and 2000 seasons -where they reached three consecutive bowl appearances (Cotton, Peach and Independence, respectively).
Coach Jackie Sherrill (178-110-4) is hoping to restore confidence to a team that has had inconsistencies on both sides of the football.
Sherrill’s Bulldogs are looking to rebuild from a disappointing 3-9 2002 season with the leadership of quarterback Kevin Fant, who last year threw for 1,918 yards, 10 touchdown passes and a 52 percent completion percentage.
Fant, who before the season opener beat Kyle York for the starting quarterback position, validated Sherrill’s decision in his first game
against Oregon, passing for three touchdowns and rushing for one.
“It’s based on all the practices, all the drills and the scrimmages,” Sherrill said. “Kevin has been more productive than Kyle (York). He has performed very well in camp.”
Despite the loss to Oregon, Fant had a positive assessment of his offensive line in their first game.
“For the offensive line being young, I think they blocked great,” Fant said. “We had a few breakdowns toward the end of the game, but they held up against a strong front. They’re working hard.”
Despite last year’s 0-8 Southeastern Conference record, MSU has some experienced players they can expect big plays from. Seven starters return on offense, eight return on defense along with players on special teams.
One key player on special teams is preseason All-SEC second team place-kicker Brent Smith. Smith, who was placed on scholarship in January, led the SEC in field goal accuracy, notching 16-of-20 field goals last year.
“Brent’s probably as good or better as any we’ve had here,” Sherrill said. “Not only because of his leg strength, but because of his accuracy from (long) distance. He’s also able to do more things with the ball more than any kicker I’ve coached. He can kick it right footed, left-footed, put the ball in different places, change his steps. Those things aren’t easy to do.”
The Bulldogs will look to senior linebacker T.J. Mawhinney for defensive leadership. Mawhinney, who was named preseason All-SEC second team, is the leading returning tackler for the Bulldogs. His experience includes 181 career tackles and two interceptions. Mawhinney, who entered as a walk-on in 2000, was the team’s second leading tackler last year with 88.
“I wish I could tell exactly what happened (when asked what went wrong the last two years),” Mawhinney said. “Mostly, it was mental carelessness and making stupid mistakes. It was just constant stuff.”
The Bulldogs’ SEC season begins on Sept. 27 against LSU in Starkville. They catch a break in scheduling when they play winnable games against SEC East opponents Kentucky and Vanderbilt.