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Thought we played really well in the first half, played to the standard we've come to expect at Mississippi State. Made big plays down the field, played aggressively.

Started solid for the 3rd quarter, some of the guys kinda hit cruise control, we as coaches can't let that happen. Have to play 4 quarters, didn't play as hard as we needed to in the second half. Need to improve execution. La Tech is a talented team, I think their QB is a big time player, great arm, very accurate, makes all the throws, big physical QB, he's the real deal. He's a legit big time player. One of the best RB's in America, he didn't play last week, so he's extra rested. Very explosive offense. Defense is well coached, plays hard, will make it a challenge for us.


OL play first half

Well at times, made a few mistakes here and there. Times we were excellent, times we were glaring, it was one guy glaring. It wasn't their best game, they played solid.

Q: Flashes from Donald Gray

He's made some downfield plays, he's learning routes, becoming a better player. He's misusing some assignments. he's learning how to be a football player at this level.


Q: Help to have Manny since he was at LaTech last year

You can see it on film, I don't know it gets us anything.


Q: Dak as Jr compared to Sr

Very different. Last year, big playmaker, big plays. This year his control of the game is so much better, how he sees the field, how he handles situations, he's calm, he gets out there and gets the job done. Last year I'm gonna make a big play to win the game, this year lead the team


Q: Ryan big game

He's the leader of the DL for us. The DL as a whole played the best game of the season. Ryan was the beneficiary of that, the whole DL played at another level.


Q: Has Fitz set himself as #2

No. They are pretty even. Staley & Fitz are pretty even. ES throwing up since 1AM, Dak 4AM. Told Damian he has to get ready, we are down two. Fitz did a good job in that game.


Q: Injuries

Came out healthy, beat up and bruised up. Hope to get Gus Walley back this week. Morrow & Myles will be a little longer, questionable this week. Gabe is a little bit ahead of Joe. Won't practice much this week. Rufus is ready.


Q: LT has QB with SEC experience

He's a great player, you have to limit him, he's going to make some throws, we have to go the next play.


Q: Elgton

He did some good things. Guys in their first start, they worry more about making a mistake than making a play. You have to build confidence, he's doing that.

Q: Dak this year

Numbers might not be as high, might not have made some runs he did last year, but he's made huge progress, he's seeing the 4th option, a guy wide open down the field, and getting the ball to him. That's where he's developed.

Q: 50 wins, bowl games, 7th year in, where do things stand

Coming here I wanted to build a solid football program. Tremendous support, administration, faculty, staff, students, alumni. My goal is to win a championship every single year. That is a struggle in our conference.

Q: Return game, what's been different, return TD's

Guys are more mature, trust the scheme, know where blocks will be set up, where to go in the scheme. Not trying to make a play ll by themselves. Understanding by players of when to block. Teams starting to kick away from our returners.

Q: How did Ross emerge as punt returner

He catches the ball the best. How much yardage you lost by not returning punts in the long term adds up, he could lose more yardage than he gains. Fred is consistent.

Q: Dontavian Lee, other RB's

We're still grading them. He had 17 plays, 5 carries, what did he do in those 12 plays? Are they making their blocks, do they know their assignments. One mistake and we can lose Dak.

Q: Kickers

We've tried to keep Westin Graves in position to build confidence and he's done that. He's doing that, when he makes a mistake he knows what he did and how to fix it.

Q: Damain a redshirt?

We'd like to, with Fitz & Staley we are pretty comfortable. He would have liked to have redshirted his first year, injures didn't allow that to happen. The second #15 walks out the door, I reset everything, slate wiped clean, someone has to emerge as not just a QB, but a leader of the team.