The Mississippi State Bulldogs left for Eugene, Ore., on Thursday in anticipation of Saturday’s season opener against the 15th-ranked Oregon Ducks. After last season’s substandard performance–one that resulted in a 3-8 record–MSU looks to rebound in 2002. The Ducks, however, will be an obstacle for the Bulldogs to overcome in their attempt to return to bowl contention.
Both teams have momentum coming off the end of last year. MSU found its spark in backup quarterback Kevin Fant, and the rest of the team responded well to his leadership.
Oregon, on the other hand, carries a five-game winning streak, which began in the second half of the 2001 season. Oregon’s last win came on New Year’s Day against Colorado in the Fiesta Bowl and resulted in a No. 2 national ranking for the Ducks.
However, UO lost half of its offensive and defensive starters, most significantly All-American quarterback Joey Harrington.
With an inexperienced junior quarterback, Jason Fife, taking over for Harrington, the Bulldogs will primarily have to watch out for junior tailback Onterrio Smith.
Smith was one of two 1,000-yard rushers for the Ducks in 2001. With his partner in crime, Maurice Morris, out of the
picture, Smith will try to run all over the Dawgs by himself.
Containing Smith will be largely up to State’s defensive line–one in which head coach Jackie Sherrill has expressed uncertainty. However, with All-American Mario Haggan back at the linebacker slot, Sherrill has a little more security in his rushing defense.
MSU defensive coordinator Joe Lee Dunn is likely to experiment with a 5-1-5 defense, meaning that there would only be one linebacker. Dunn tried out the 5-1-5 toward the end of 2001 with T.J. Mawhinney as the lone linebacker. This year, Haggan will be the man in the middle.
With five defensive backs, the Bulldogs can more thoroughly limit the receptions of wide receiver Keenan Howry. Last year, Howry led the Ducks in receiving yards and touchdown receptions. This year, he and Smith are potential All-Americans.
On offense, the Bulldogs will have to do a better job of blocking in order for Dontae Walker to wear out the UO defense. With three returning starters to the offensive line, expect just that.
With Fant, who passes more than previous MSU quarterbacks, Saturday’s opener could be a higher-scoring affair than what State fans are used to. Fant also has three of his favorite targets returning as wide receivers.
An important variable for the Bulldogs is the kicking game. After missing half of his field goal attempts in 2001, John Michael Marlin needs to be more accurate than last year. especially in a game that could be decided by a few points
In previous years, the Bulldogs have struggled in the early going of season openers. They will have to come out clicking on all cylinders if they are going to pull out the upset at Oregon’s newly upgraded Autzen Stadium.
Saturday’s game between the Ducks and the Dawgs will kick off at 5 p.m. central time and will be televised by Fox Sports Net.