Dontae Walker

[Activated Alpha]

RIP. Loved watching him run along with dizenzo miller

[confucius say]

What happened?
Prayers for mercy on his soul

[Pancho]

I thought he was out of prison and doing very well.

[Maverick91]

They were the best.

[R2Dawg]

So sad. Don't know much about his story but I know he had a troubled life; hope he turned it around.

He and Miller one of best RB tandems in MSU history.

[basedog]

In 1994 we had 3 running backs, Michael Davis and Kevin Bouie (can’t recall the 3rd one). I’d might would take them.

[Coach34]

What happened?
Prayers for mercy on his soul

heart attack. He was out of prison and doing pretty good so I understand. Hate he is moving on.

[chef dixon]

Man that's tough.

Maybe it's not an abnormal number, but we've lost a lot of ex football players far too young

[viverlibre]

In 1994 we had 3 running backs, Michael Davis and Kevin Bouie (can’t recall the 3rd one). I’d might would take them.

Keefer died in 1997 (before summer practice), but I believe he was a freshman in 1994.

[Coach34]

In 1994 we had 3 running backs, Michael Davis and Kevin Bouie (can’t recall the 3rd one). I’d might would take them.

1974 had Felker/Packer/Johnson (add QB's running when you had the option game)
1975 had Packer/Johnson/Harmon
1980/81- Bond/Haddix/King
1994- Davis/Bouie/Keffer McGee/Fred McCrary/Nakia Greer (best RB group in school history)- McCrary played a good bit in the NFL- Keffer was one of the best we have ever had
1998- JJ/D. McKinley/D. Miller
2000- Miller/Walker/Griffith
2014- Dak/JRob 2100 over 2100 yards between the two
2016- Fitz/A. Williams (over 2K yards between the two. 2nd best in school history for a combo. Fitz 2nd best single season rushing total)
2017- Fitz/Aeris go over 2K again

1994 was the most talent. 2014/2016 the most yards for a duo

[R2Dawg]

In 1994 we had 3 running backs, Michael Davis and Kevin Bouie (can?t recall the 3rd one). I?d might would take them.

William Prince I think.

[basedog]

1974 had Felker/Packer/Johnson (add QB's running when you had the option game)
1975 had Packer/Johnson/Harmon
1980/81- Bond/Haddix/King
1994- Davis/Bouie/Keffer McGee/Fred McCrary/Nakia Greer (best RB group in school history)- McCrary played a good bit in the NFL- Keffer was one of the best we have ever had
1998- JJ/D. McKinley/D. Miller
2000- Miller/Walker/Griffith
2014- Dak/JRob 2100 over 2100 yards between the two
2016- Fitz/A. Williams (over 2K yards between the two. 2nd best in school history for a combo. Fitz 2nd best single season rushing total)
2017- Fitz/Aeris go over 2K again

1994 was the most talent. 2014/2016 the most yards for a duo

Loved that team with some hogs up front. Very physical up front also.

[Fred Garvin]

Don’t forget Terry Vitrano off that 74 team. MVP of the Sun Bowl.

[R2Dawg]

1974 had Felker/Packer/Johnson (add QB's running when you had the option game)
1975 had Packer/Johnson/Harmon
1980/81- Bond/Haddix/King
1994- Davis/Bouie/Keffer McGee/Fred McCrary/Nakia Greer (best RB group in school history)- McCrary played a good bit in the NFL- Keffer was one of the best we have ever had
1998- JJ/D. McKinley/D. Miller
2000- Miller/Walker/Griffith
2014- Dak/JRob 2100 over 2100 yards between the two
2016- Fitz/A. Williams (over 2K yards between the two. 2nd best in school history for a combo. Fitz 2nd best single season rushing total)
2017- Fitz/Aeris go over 2K again

1994 was the most talent. 2014/2016 the most yards for a duo

Good list.

Add in Robert Isaac with JJ. Isaac started in 97 a bunch, never understood that but JJ was the man.
Add Holliway with J.Rob.

Fitz, A Train and K.Hill - one nasty backfield right there.

Griffith played with Norwood too I think, pretty good duo.

Bond, Haddix and Donald Ray King under rated group. Still remember Jack calling those great runs by this group.

Keffer was on his way to heisman like year before he got hurt the season before he passed.

There are a few more duos that I can't remember their names - in the Sherril era. One back was as fast to the corner as I've ever seen. He had a good partner too.

[parabrave]

And Fred Collins, Steady Freddy, from 78-80. Started for Tyler as a true Freshman. Started with James Jones finished in the Wingbone with Haddix. One of the best guys there ever was. Still attends every home game with JB and Bell/

https://ia600202.us.archive.org/BookReader/BookReaderImages.php?zip=/12/items/reveille741979miss/reveille741979miss_jp2.zip&file=reveille741979miss_jp2/reveille741979miss_0098.jp2&id=reveille741979miss&scale=4&rotate=0

https://ia600202.us.archive.org/BookReader/BookReaderImages.php?zip=/12/items/reveille741979miss/reveille741979miss_jp2.zip&file=reveille741979miss_jp2/reveille741979miss_0096.jp2&id=reveille741979miss&scale=4&rotate=0

[parabrave]

And Fred Collins, Steady Freddy, from 78-80. Started for Tyler as a true Freshman. Started with James Jones finished in the Wingbone with Haddix. One of the best guys there ever was. Still attends every home game with JB and Bell/

https://ia600202.us.archive.org/BookReader/BookReaderImages.php?zip=/12/items/reveille741979miss/reveille741979miss_jp2.zip&file=reveille741979miss_jp2/reveille741979miss_0098.jp2&id=reveille741979miss&scale=4&rotate=0

https://ia600202.us.archive.org/BookReader/BookReaderImages.php?zip=/12/items/reveille741979miss/reveille741979miss_jp2.zip&file=reveille741979miss_jp2/reveille741979miss_0096.jp2&id=reveille741979miss&scale=4&rotate=0

Also the best Unis ever/

[1eyedog]

As a VERY old dog.....Dennis Johnson, Mardye McDole (wingbone), David Farr, D Miller, so many I can’t name.....Hoyle Granger, good grief the MSU “DOGS” should be named Defensive front and running back heaven...........Go “DOGS”...and if you want to watch the “DOGS” at their best......go on youtube and watch John Bond, M Haddix, and Danny Knight in the first night game at Davis wade against LSU (#4) I think ........probably the best game ever played there besides Johnnie cook beating Jim Kelly’s Miami Hurricanes.........the press does not give the “DOGS” their credit for football. There has been a lot of great GREAT football played at that stadium.

[Pancho]

Is that the game they brought in the temporary lights?

[Coach34]

One back was as fast to the corner as I've ever seen. He had a good partner too.

Kenny Ray Roberts

[basedog]

Is that the game they brought in the temporary lights?

Yes

[R2Dawg]

Kenny Ray Roberts

Yes Kenny Roberts; dude could flat fly. Who was his counterpart RB?

[R2Dawg]

As a VERY old dog.....Dennis Johnson, Mardye McDole (wingbone), David Farr, D Miller, so many I can?t name.....Hoyle Granger, good grief the MSU ?DOGS? should be named Defensive front and running back heaven...........Go ?DOGS?...and if you want to watch the ?DOGS? at their best......go on youtube and watch John Bond, M Haddix, and Danny Knight in the first night game at Davis wade against LSU (#4) I think ........probably the best game ever played there besides Johnnie cook beating Jim Kelly?s Miami Hurricanes.........the press does not give the ?DOGS? their credit for football. There has been a lot of great GREAT football played at that stadium.

Yep I was at that Miami game. Cooks was just a beast; one of badest dudes in maroon and white.

Yeah youtube Bond and company for you young pups; how they mastered the wishbone and triple option was a thing of beauty. Never seen anyone do it better.

[bulldawg28]

Yes Kenny Roberts; dude could flat fly. Who was his counterpart RB?

Michael Davis or Bouie

[parabrave]

Michael Davis or Bouie

Davis between the tackles and Bouie around the end. That was a great combo.

[Coach34]

on Dontae- Rod Walker wrote a good updated article on him in 2013. Dontae had turned it around and even gotten a master's degree

https://www.usatodayhss.com/2013/graduation-day-latest-stop-on-walkers-road-to-redemption

[Commercecomet24]

on Dontae- Rod Walker wrote a good updated article on him in 2013. Dontae had turned it around and even gotten a master's degree

https://www.usatodayhss.com/2013/graduation-day-latest-stop-on-walkers-road-to-redemption

I remember reading that and was so glad he got his act together and got his life back on track after going to prison. He passed way to young!

[Lance Harbor]

"Now I have a degree, so that’s a plus" -Dontae Walker

Tell me you played for Jackie Sherrill without telling me you played for Jackie Sherrill.

[Goldendawg]

JC Penny, Tupelo- Mall #2, where the coliseum is now, had our best era (Jackie's teams. You know the ones they owned the rights to and we couldn't use for about 20 years, but Missouri State or Montana State maybe could.***) Nike replica jerseys on sale for $10 each after one of Donte's seasons had ended. I bought about 4 for friends/relatives. I still have my #3 and wear it to games every once in a while. It even says Dontae Walker replica on the bottom tag. I was at the meet and great maybe before Donte's Sr year with my Elementray age nephew ( His favorite players were Dizenzo Miller and Pig Prather who willingly and happily posed for pictures with him). Donte was sitting with another player away from the others in the stands and acted like he was too good to autograph the jersey and we were bothering him, but he finally did. Wayne Madkin also autographed it with #9 on the sleeve. Wayne's autograph has washed out , but you can still read Donte's. He had a world of issues at State and later in life. Lt. in SPD told me they often called Jackie to come get him when he should have faced serious charges. Think this caused locker room issues due to his special treatment. After his prison time, he spoke as an inspirational/motivational speaker to the Clarion "Liar's" Dandy Dozen several years. Saw a photo of this with him wearing his Alabama cap. Glad he finally got straight and prayers to his family. He is definitely a "what could have been" story at MSU. Think he quit during his SR year.

[R2Dawg]

on Dontae- Rod Walker wrote a good updated article on him in 2013. Dontae had turned it around and even gotten a master's degree

https://www.usatodayhss.com/2013/graduation-day-latest-stop-on-walkers-road-to-redemption

Good article, thanks for sharing.

I remember the game he walked off the sidelines and quit, but I didn't know it was partly due to fans booing him.

I never like our fans booing our team or players. We should never do that ever.

[basedog]

Good article, thanks for sharing.

I remember the game he walked off the sidelines and quit, but I didn't know it was partly due to fans booing him.

I never like our fans booing our team or players. We should never do that ever.

Kin folks who have relatives playing sports at Msu approve this message! LOL. I wish everyone had a relative good enough to play at Msu.

[Tbonewannabe]

Norwood and Nick Turner. Both could fly. Turner keeps out of trouble and he plays in the NFL.

[R2Dawg]

Norwood and Nick Turner. Both could fly. Turner keeps out of trouble and he plays in the NFL.

Ah yes another great pair; Turner the burner.

Norwood was the most explosive RB MSU ever had.

[Commercecomet24]

Poor Nick Turner. He disappeared in Atlanta several years ago and has never been found. Tragic end.

[msu15]

Ah yes another great pair; Turner the burner.

Norwood was the most explosive RB MSU ever had.

Omarr and Jerious in Mullen's early tenure would've been hell on wheels.

[Commercecomet24]

Omarr and Jerious in Mullen's early tenure would've been hell on wheels.

One of the great "what could've beens"

[SPMT]

Omarr and Jerious in Mullen's early tenure would've been hell on wheels.

Dominant. Zero doubt.

[KentuckyDawg13]

Were they booing him because he was so out of shape and not near the level of RB he was previously?
Trying to remember the situation. I do recall he gained a lot of weight.
RIP Dontae

[basedog]

Btw, without doing any research but the 3 running backs in 94 I was talking about Davis, Bouie and I think the third was Williams. I believe we played Tulane that year and all 3 gained 100 yards. All three were over 200lbs and tough as nails!

[StarkVegasSteve]

I was still very young when Dontae and Dicenzo got rolling but those were my first memories of Mississippi State. I remember the Killer D's Clarion Ledger, I believe, front page. I also remember the famous poster, Go Dawgs 8-0, with I believe Dontae Walker running the ball in 99.

My favorite Dontae moment however, will always be that Snow Bowl. He carried us that night in Shreveport and kept us in it long enough for us to get to OT.

RIP to one of the favorites from my childhood.

[Todd4State]

Were they booing him because he was so out of shape and not near the level of RB he was previously?
Trying to remember the situation. I do recall he gained a lot of weight.
RIP Dontae

I think it was a lot of things at that time. Jackie lost control of the team. Dontae was caught up in that. He didn't run as hard as he used to- probably partially from being overweight, team being awful, and maybe some effort on his part.

He left the game and team and just walked off the field. He basically quit the team in the middle of the game.

Our fans booing him was a bad look by our fans. Not sure if I have ever seen our fans boo one of our own players like that and at least not to that extent. And there have been a couple that deserved it for various reasons probably moreso than Dontae deserved it.

At the end of the day I blame Jackie the most for it. I know he had other things in his life going on but if that was case then just step down.

[Todd4State]

Btw, without doing any research but the 3 running backs in 94 I was talking about Davis, Bouie and I think the third was Williams. I believe we played Tulane that year and all 3 gained 100 yards. All three were over 200lbs and tough as nails!

The third was Karl Williamson. So what happened was we had 3 100 yard rushers against Tulane in 1993. So they played 9 in the box against us in 1994 and then Derrick Taite set a then school record for passing against them with like 460 yards or something like that. Unfortunately for Tulane Taite was on that day when they picked that strategy because it could very well have maybe worked if he was off which was about 50% of the time.

[StarkVegasSteve]

I think it was a lot of things at that time. Jackie lost control of the team. Dontae was caught up in that. He didn't run as hard as he used to- probably partially from being overweight, team being awful, and maybe some effort on his part.

He left the game and team and just walked off the field. He basically quit the team in the middle of the game.

Our fans booing him was a bad look by our fans. Not sure if I have ever seen our fans boo one of our own players like that and at least not to that extent. And there have been a couple that deserved it for various reasons probably moreso than Dontae deserved it.

At the end of the day I blame Jackie the most for it. I know he had other things in his life going on but if that was case then just step down.

I've often thought that Jackie should've stepped aside after 01, and especially after 02. We had milked the JUCO tree for all it was worth and kept going back to it. We weren't winning many HS recruiting battles at all and were becoming completely reliant on JUCOs. The Arizona Western thing was just the straw that broke the camels back. Hindsight is definitely 20/20, but we should've seen what was coming

[R2Dawg]

I've often thought that Jackie should've stepped aside after 01, and especially after 02. We had milked the JUCO tree for all it was worth and kept going back to it. We weren't winning many HS recruiting battles at all and were becoming completely reliant on JUCOs. The Arizona Western thing was just the straw that broke the camels back. Hindsight is definitely 20/20, but we should've seen what was coming

2001 we were loaded but had a bad year. Only lost one player from 2000 offense (center Michael Fair) but we were terrible on O in 01. You don't have a coach step aside after the best 4-5 year run ever after one bad year.

Didn't Jackie get Norwood, Turner and many others that he left Croom? I think so.

His downfall was yes one bad JUCO year but mostly bad assistant coach hires that did him in. We got JUCO talent later with Croom and Mullen. JUCO talent had not run dry just one bad year.

[basedog]

The third was Karl Williamson. So what happened was we had 3 100 yard rushers against Tulane in 1993. So they played 9 in the box against us in 1994 and then Derrick Taite set a then school record for passing against them with like 460 yards or something like that. Unfortunately for Tulane Taite was on that day when they picked that strategy because it could very well have maybe worked if he was off which was about 50% of the time.

Thanks, I remember now! Those three were pretty darn good!

[R2Dawg]

I think it was a lot of things at that time. Jackie lost control of the team. Dontae was caught up in that. He didn't run as hard as he used to- probably partially from being overweight, team being awful, and maybe some effort on his part.

He left the game and team and just walked off the field. He basically quit the team in the middle of the game.

Our fans booing him was a bad look by our fans. Not sure if I have ever seen our fans boo one of our own players like that and at least not to that extent. And there have been a couple that deserved it for various reasons probably moreso than Dontae deserved it.

At the end of the day I blame Jackie the most for it. I know he had other things in his life going on but if that was case then just step down.

Quiting on your team in middle of game was really bad.

[StarkVegasSteve]

2001 we were loaded but had a bad year. Only lost one player from 2000 offense (center Michael Fair) but we were terrible on O in 01. You don't have a coach step aside after the best 4-5 year run ever after one bad year.

Didn't Jackie get Norwood, Turner and many others that he left Croom? I think so.

His downfall was yes one bad JUCO year but mostly bad assistant coach hires that did him in. We got JUCO talent later with Croom and Mullen. JUCO talent had not run dry just one bad year.

We were a house of cards in 2000 and the cards came tumbling down in 01. More of the same in 02. From everyone I have ever talked to, you could see it coming. And Jackie may have been the head coach, but good ole Melvin Smith brought home Jerious.....and Dontae. You talk great recruiters and Melvin Smith's name needs to be mentioned. You talk under the table recruiters, and his name is probably at the top.

[parabrave]

I think it was a lot of things at that time. Jackie lost control of the team. Dontae was caught up in that. He didn't run as hard as he used to- probably partially from being overweight, team being awful, and maybe some effort on his part.

He left the game and team and just walked off the field. He basically quit the team in the middle of the game.

Our fans booing him was a bad look by our fans. Not sure if I have ever seen our fans boo one of our own players like that and at least not to that extent. And there have been a couple that deserved it for various reasons probably moreso than Dontae deserved it.

At the end of the day I blame Jackie the most for it. I know he had other things in his life going on but if that was case then just step down.

People also forget JWS has some personal tragedies starting in 2001, I think there was Cancer issues with family members and his mother died. Jackies dad died when he was young and his mother raised him in Biloxi.

[SPMT]

2001 we were loaded but had a bad year. Only lost one player from 2000 offense (center Michael Fair) but we were terrible on O in 01. You don't have a coach step aside after the best 4-5 year run ever after one bad year.

Didn't Jackie get Norwood, Turner and many others that he left Croom? I think so.

His downfall was yes one bad JUCO year but mostly bad assistant coach hires that did him in. We got JUCO talent later with Croom and Mullen. JUCO talent had not run dry just one bad year.

I remember seeing Korey Banks and Naldo (a corner), can?t remember his real name. They were different dudes for sure. Had classes with them and Naldo would sit in class with these stupid glasses/sunglasses on. He was a character.

[parabrave]

That SC game in Columbia changed the fortune of the entire program. Blowing a 14 point lead to the 3rd string QB because we didn't cover the corner of the Endzone.

[1eyedog]

That SC game in Columbia changed the fortune of the entire program. Blowing a 14 point lead to the 3rd string QB because we didn't cover the corner of the Endzone.

I NEVER understood what all happened.......but it truly came falling down. I was on the sidelines the last couple of years but especially the last year......other teams were laughing out loud about the middle be open for crossing routes ......Bama beat the crap out of the DOGS with a 3rd string running back. Of course Eli came in and destroyed us. A miserable way for JWS to go out, I just remember thinking these players don’t give a **** or have an ounce of pride. I still don’t know what happened at that SC game, but it absolutely was a nightmare of things to come and killed JWS legacy.

[Todd4State]

That SC game in Columbia changed the fortune of the entire program. Blowing a 14 point lead to the 3rd string QB because we didn't cover the corner of the Endzone.

I don't think it was THAT. Although that could have been the result from the symptoms. I know Robert Bean would have defended that pass and may have even picked it off.

The way we were winning in 1998-1999 simply wasn't sustainable. The law of averages caught up to MSU in 2001- we had multiple close losses but did have one last hurrah against Eli in 2001 where we beat Ole Miss.

Losing causes dissention. We also lost some really good team leaders like Barrin Simpson to graduation.

And other teams started to pay more attention to JUCOs in part because of the success that MSU and K-State had with them. Meaning the pool wasn't an untapped resource any more.

[Todd4State]

People also forget JWS has some personal tragedies starting in 2001, I think there was Cancer issues with family members and his mother died. Jackies dad died when he was young and his mother raised him in Biloxi.

LT should have pulled the plug on Jackie after 2002. I get bringing him back after 2001 because we finished the year strong and Jackie had been known for having 3 win seasons followed by 8 win seasons. But after 2002 it was clear the wheels were off the wagon.

[R2Dawg]

We were a house of cards in 2000 and the cards came tumbling down in 01. More of the same in 02. From everyone I have ever talked to, you could see it coming. And Jackie may have been the head coach, but good ole Melvin Smith brought home Jerious.....and Dontae. You talk great recruiters and Melvin Smith's name needs to be mentioned. You talk under the table recruiters, and his name is probably at the top.

You can't blame Jackie for overall team falling apart and then not give him any credit for recruiting. Can't have it both ways. Man at the top is the man at the top responsible for the good and the bad.

What does house of cards mean in 2000?

[R2Dawg]

That SC game in Columbia changed the fortune of the entire program. Blowing a 14 point lead to the 3rd string QB because we didn't cover the corner of the Endzone.

Yeah that game was a back breaker but the 2001 game may have been even more of one. The first game and sporting event after 911; we should have won that game at home. That set the loosing streak in 01. Think we were 2-0 before that and picked to win the SECW in 2001 preseason.

2000 was a dang good team, wasn't no luck. D was dominant and O was top 3 in SEC.

[R2Dawg]

I NEVER understood what all happened.......but it truly came falling down. I was on the sidelines the last couple of years but especially the last year......other teams were laughing out loud about the middle be open for crossing routes ......Bama beat the crap out of the DOGS with a 3rd string running back. Of course Eli came in and destroyed us. A miserable way for JWS to go out, I just remember thinking these players don’t give a **** or have an ounce of pride. I still don’t know what happened at that SC game, but it absolutely was a nightmare of things to come and killed JWS legacy.

The Bama game was the 40-0 lame duck game when Jackie had already resigned. Team had quit. Coaches were looking for jobs. That was also the Sonic drive of game from Jack was his drive back to Tupelo. My drive back to Alabama with my Bama friends sucked.

[R2Dawg]

I don't think it was THAT. Although that could have been the result from the symptoms. I know Robert Bean would have defended that pass and may have even picked it off.

The way we were winning in 1998-1999 simply wasn't sustainable. The law of averages caught up to MSU in 2001- we had multiple close losses but did have one last hurrah against Eli in 2001 where we beat Ole Miss.

Losing causes dissention. We also lost some really good team leaders like Barrin Simpson to graduation.

And other teams started to pay more attention to JUCOs in part because of the success that MSU and K-State had with them. Meaning the pool wasn't an untapped resource any more.

The winning was 97-2000. We were top team in SECW in that stretch and like 3rd in SEC.

[Todd4State]

The winning was 97-2000. We were top team in SECW in that stretch and like 3rd in SEC.

Well, really 1996 started it I think officially when we beat Alabama.

Although I personally saw a lot of promise when we dominated Northeast Louisiana that year 59-0 as weird as that sounds. It seemed like a turning point game for our team and then they built off of their success. Finished that year with the wins over Bama and Ole Miss.

Anyway 1996-2000 was the best stretch of MSU football I have ever seen. I laugh when our fans talk about 2014 being the best ever. Nope. I've seen better.

[R2Dawg]

Well, really 1996 started it I think officially when we beat Alabama.

Although I personally saw a lot of promise when we dominated Northeast Louisiana that year 59-0 as weird as that sounds. It seemed like a turning point game for our team and then they built off of their success. Finished that year with the wins over Bama and Ole Miss.

Anyway 1996-2000 was the best stretch of MSU football I have ever seen. I laugh when our fans talk about 2014 being the best ever. Nope. I've seen better.

Yeah I agree, started in 96; we just didn't have a winning season that year only reason I didn't include.

That was the most dominant stretch in MSU football history. Beat Bama 4 of 5 years. Beat top teams every year.

[Todd4State]

Yeah I agree, started in 96; we just didn't have a winning season that year only reason I didn't include.

That was the most dominant stretch in MSU football history. Beat Bama 4 of 5 years. Beat top teams every year.

By today's standards that probably would have been a 6-6 season and a bowl appearance in Birmingham or in the Armed Forces Bowl. Times change though.

The thing about that era we beat Alabama who won the SEC West in 1996, beat Auburn who won the SEC West in 1997 on the road no less, we won the darn SEC West in 1998 and beat a really good Arkansas team to do it, won 10 games in 1999, beat Florida and Auburn in 2000 who both won their divisions....and that doesn't include the memorable come from behind wins we had in 1999 including a win in the most exciting Egg Bowl ever, the 1999 Peach Bowl, and the Snow Bowl. No era really comes close to it.

And it's probably the biggest reason I'm not that impressed with Dan Mullen honestly. Really only the 2010 and 2014 seasons come close for me along with a couple of other memorable games here and there like the 2009 Egg Bowl and the 2015 Arkansas game and maybe LSU 2017.

[bulldawg28]

What happened in 2000 & beyond "Jackie's downfall" was the defensive and offensive coordinators. Sparkie Woods was terrible with no creativity. And offenses figured out Joe Lee's defense.

Offensively just at Rb we had D. Walker, F. Reid, J. Griffin, D. Miller, J. Norwood, N. Turner & K. Williamson Truthfully, that's probably the best lineup and talent of MSU running backs assembled in a 3 year period. All of those guys were 5* & high 4* with legit NFL talent. Sparkie couldn't coach his way out of a wet paperbag. GOD HE WAS TERRIBLE AND WASTED TALENT.

Defensively, the interior DL was no longer a strength and teams could man block them. Teams would max protect which freed up the running backs to block the blitzing LB and dog safties. Once that happened the corners were cooked I don't care how elite you were. Joe Lee leaving corners with no help and safeties covering WR's was a recipe for failure.

Jackie Wayne was and still is the man. However, his OC & DC failed him in his latter years.

[parabrave]

What happened in 2000 & beyond "Jackie's downfall" was the defensive and offensive coordinators. Sparkie Woods was terrible with no creativity. And offenses figured out Joe Lee's defense.

Offensively just at Rb we had D. Walker, F. Reid, J. Griffin, D. Miller, J. Norwood, N. Turner & K. Williamson Truthfully, that's probably the best lineup and talent of MSU running backs assembled in a 3 year period. All of those guys were 5* & high 4* with legit NFL talent. Sparkie couldn't coach his way out of a wet paperbag. GOD HE WAS TERRIBLE AND WASTED TALENT.

Defensively, the interior DL was no longer a strength and teams could man block them. Teams would max protect which freed up the running backs to block the blitzing LB and dog safties. Once that happened the corners were cooked I don't care how elite you were. Joe Lee leaving corners with no help and safeties covering WR's was a recipe for failure.

Jackie Wayne was and still is the man. However, his OC & DC failed him in his latter years.

Well you are leaving out his most famous DC, Ron Cooper. One thing about JLD defense is you better have shut down DBs if you are max blitzing every play. For 2 years he did.

[Commercecomet24]

What happened in 2000 & beyond "Jackie's downfall" was the defensive and offensive coordinators. Sparkie Woods was terrible with no creativity. And offenses figured out Joe Lee's defense.

Offensively just at Rb we had D. Walker, F. Reid, J. Griffin, D. Miller, J. Norwood, N. Turner & K. Williamson Truthfully, that's probably the best lineup and talent of MSU running backs assembled in a 3 year period. All of those guys were 5* & high 4* with legit NFL talent. Sparkie couldn't coach his way out of a wet paperbag. GOD HE WAS TERRIBLE AND WASTED TALENT.

Defensively, the interior DL was no longer a strength and teams could man block them. Teams would max protect which freed up the running backs to block the blitzing LB and dog safties. Once that happened the corners were cooked I don't care how elite you were. Joe Lee leaving corners with no help and safeties covering WR's was a recipe for failure.

Jackie Wayne was and still is the man. However, his OC & DC failed him in his latter years.

Love Jackie! He gave the middle finger to the sec and taught us that we could win! What happened to him is a crying shame! He truly is one of us!

[Pancho]

when is the funeral?

[basedog]

Love Jackie! He gave the middle finger to the sec and taught us that we could win! What happened to him is a crying shame! He truly is one of us!

All day long 24! Made football fun and exciting!

[bulldawg28]

Love Jackie! He gave the middle finger to the sec and taught us that we could win! What happened to him is a crying shame! He truly is one of us!

He is the KANG!!!!

[State82]

Love Jackie! He gave the middle finger to the sec and taught us that we could win! What happened to him is a crying shame! He truly is one of us!

My favorite coach in MSU history.

[The Federalist Engineer]

You boys forget the 2011 team:

Chris Relf, Perkins, Ballard, and Elliott

These boys Mauled Michigan in the Gator Bowl. Chris Relf and Dixon trucked Ole Miss in 2010, 260 rushing yards.

RIP Dontae Walker

[Coach34]

In defense of Dontae and the weight:

Dontae was beat up his last 2 years at State because we werent as good. He was taking shots to get by and to try get healthy. He claims that took a toll on his body and he gained weight thru all that.

Who knows

[R2Dawg]

You boys forget the 2011 team:

Chris Relf, Perkins, Ballard, and Elliott

These boys Mauled Michigan in the Gator Bowl. Chris Relf and Dixon trucked Ole Miss in 2010, 260 rushing yards.

RIP Dontae Walker

Yeah Relf, Perk and Ballard were are great group. Ballard gets lost in the list a great RBs. Ballard never got tackled for a loss and just ran hard and when Ballard smelled the endzone, it was a TD.

[R2Dawg]

Love Jackie! He gave the middle finger to the sec and taught us that we could win! What happened to him is a crying shame! He truly is one of us!

You are right. Jackie is maybe the head on MSU Mt Rushmore. He immediately brought respect to MSU football. I was a senior Jackie's first year. That Texas game was epic on Scott Field that day.

[Coach34]

Yeah Relf, Perk and Ballard were are great group. Ballard gets lost in the list a great RBs. Ballard never got tackled for a loss and just ran hard and when Ballard smelled the endzone, it was a TD.

When I listed back groups- I went by production

[The Federalist Engineer]

When I listed back groups- I went by production

You have a good list, just have to make sure my Lads are mentioned when talking about Rushing the Football.

[Commercecomet24]

All day long 24! Made football fun and exciting!

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to basedog again.

[Commercecomet24]

My favorite coach in MSU history.

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to State82 again.

[Commercecomet24]

He is the KANG!!!!

Have some rep!

[bulldawg28]

Have some rep!

You the man!