Wasn't there a Red shirt Freshman starting for State in the 1998 egg bowl and we won?

[Jack Lambert]

And there was a lot more ridding on that game. Wasn't it his first start?

[thedawg]

Redshirt Freshmen is a big difference. Been in the system a year a half. Been in the weight program a year. I hope Williams kills it but he's gonna have to have so help from the wrs and rbs around him

[LeakyD]

I'm pretty sure Madkin was qb in 1998. He was a redshirt freshman, but it wasn't his first start. Ole Miss had to play a qb with no experience because Miller was hurt.

[slickdawg]

Yep, Madkin

[Coach34]

Madkin was a redshirt and had been starting since about the 3rd game of the season- big difference

But I still have faith in Williams

[Jack Lambert]

Was he a true freshmen?

[Bo Darville]

But I still have faith in Williams

I agree. I think this kid will bust his tail for us. It pisses me off that some of our fans are giving up on this game because of Dak and Tyler. With the proper playcalling and gameplanning, I've got faith in Damian.

[level set]

It was Wayne Madkin, a redshirt freshman. But he was recruited as an athlete QB, where Williams was a QB recruited as a QB. So that will help. He's already faced the number one team and defense in the SEC and fared well considering.

Madkin platooned with Matt Wyatt in 1998. Madkin also started the SEC Championship Game that year.

[ShotgunDawg]

Yesterday, Damien Williams was interviewed, and I came away impressed with his presence and calmness. Seems like many times when Tyler is interviewed he comes across as figidy. Seems like Williams is the type of guy that slows things down.

Not sure, it just kinda surprised me when I watched the video.

However, I find this trait to be especially prevalent in winning QBs. They have a way of calming their team down, and few moment are to big for them.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFCY60WXdsI

[starkvegasdawg]

You have to admit...no fanbase would be excited to be starting their 3rd string QB in the biggest game of the season. They are 3rd string for a reason. I think another reason for the nerves is that if he gets hurt (bucky orders a cheap shot) then we are really SOL. I will say that from what I have seen of Williams' play he has the potential to be pretty good. He came in against Alabama and showed no fear at all and was let down by his WR's. We all know what he did against the Fightin' Little Dewey's Saturday too. I think he is capable of playing the whole game and winning it for us. I would just feel better if it were Dak or TR behind center.

[CadaverDawg]

It is an unbelievable story if you think about it. Guy goes from being a commitment to the worst program in the nation, to starting in a game that could get a SEC team to a bowl, in less than a year. He could become an instant legend, ha!

[scottycameron]

If I'm not mistaken OM had a backup in, may have been a freshman, never played again I don't think. I may be thinking of wrong eggbowl though. Madkin was QB in 98 for sure.

[BeastMan]

It is an unbelievable story if you think about it. Guy goes from being a commitment to the worst program in the nation, to starting in a game that could get a SEC team to a bowl, in less than a year. He could become an instant legend, ha!

Amazing story. Hope it has a happy ending

[Maroonthirteen]

98 Egg, I remember it well. Madkin played a good game. JJ Johnson had a big game. Also, our defense was solid. The same recipe we will need this year to win. Our defense is going to have to shut them down. Our running game is going to have pick up positive yardage each play.

[32 Dive]

State also had Joe Lee's Defense. I wonder how that year's D compares with this one?

1998 - #20 @ 312.9 yds/game
2013 - #41 @ 370.7 yds/game (5.9% increase from 1998)


Mississippi's "D"

1998 - #30 @ 331.4 yds/game
2013 - #49 @ 383.8 yds/game (3.5% increase from 1998)

To keep things in perspective...

The #1 "D" in respective years
1998 - Florida St. @ 214.8 ypg
2013 - Michigan St. @ 236.6 ypg (10.1% increase from 1998)

Which makes you wonder about the change of the game, until this one...

Average of top 5 Defenses
1998 - 257.00 ypg
2013 - 257.86 ypg (0.3% increase from 1998)


What was I trying to find out? I was originally trying to see if by one stat, and that alone, what the difference in our potential defensive prowess on Thursday might (or might not) be.

All I found out was something I already believe: It doesn't mean squat until Thursday, when ours have to man up against theirs, to bring home the Golden Egg!

[MarketingBully01]

He does have the Relf look to him. If Mullen was smart in his play calling, we would go option all the way and simplify the play book as much as possible. Very much like the 2009 Egg Bowl. Those two games are eerily similar. I think if we have a very similar game plan to what Relf had in that game we could be very successful. And Relf and Williams at this point had the same amount of experience. If we play call to his strengths, he could have a great game.

[justwin]

[QUOTE=ShotgunDawg;95722]Yesterday, Damien Williams was interviewed, and I came away impressed with his presence and calmness. Seems like many times when Tyler is interviewed he comes across as figidy.

...Another unnecessary and untrue jab at Tyler.

Williams will be ok Thursday.