The Mississippi State Bulldogs will face off against the University of Alabama-Birmingham on Saturday as the highlight of the weekend’s homecoming celebration. When the Bulldogs square off with the Blazers, they will be looking to do something they haven’t done since the 2000 season.With a win, the Bulldogs will earn their fourth victory of the season, and it would also be the highest win total for Bulldog head coach Sylvester Croom in his tenure at State.
“It’s an important game for us because it’s homecoming, and it’s a chance for the first time in a long time to have won four games at this point in the season,” Croom said at his mid-week press conference.
State enters Saturday’s game coming off a tough loss to South Carolina.
In the game, the Bulldogs had the lead late in the third quarter until a Blake McAdams punt was blocked at MSU’s own 27-yard line.
On the ensuing possession, Gamecock wide receiver Kenny McKinley hauled in a catch and romped into the end zone to give South Carolina a 24-21 lead that the Bulldogs would not be able to recover from. The Gamecocks went on to win the game 38-21.
Josh Riddell got the start for the Bulldogs, going 9-for-21 for 101 yards and a touchdown. Freshman Wesley Carroll saw limited playing time, only going 3-for-6 for 17 yards. Anthony Dixon and Christian Ducr combined to rush for 162 total yards.
Senior defensive end Titus Brown recorded two sacks in the game, adding to his SEC-leading total of six.
After watching film of last week’s loss to South Carolina, Croom said he noticed his team missing a few small things that he feels could have been the determining factor in the game.
The fourth year coach pointed to a stretch in the game where he felt the Bulldog offense didn’t convert on key opportunities. Croom said this week of practice would focus on fine-tuning all the adjustments.
“So really our emphasis this week is working toward doing the little things right all the time,” Croom said. “Because in our conference as tight as the competition is, a play here and a play there can cost you the ball game.”
As important as being a sound football team is, the Bulldogs have another major problem, which is who will back up true freshman Carroll at the quarterback position. Junior Michael Henig returned to practice this week, but Croom is unsure of how much Henig can and will be used.
Junior college transfer Josh Riddell is out for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL, leaving Carroll as the starter, fellow true freshman Chris Relf and walk-on Zach Harrington as viable backups.
With all of the options available to him, Croom said he feels more comfortable with the injuries his quarterbacks have faced this season and has to remember that it could always be worse.
“The first thought is ‘Here we go again.’ But at the same time, it’s like my wife tells me, look at the positive. We’re blessed to have some other guys who are there. We’re better than we were last year, and we know we can run the football,” he said.
Croom knows his team can run the football and also knows who is running the football, and according to him, it’s not Anthony Dixon. Croom feels the sophomore from Terry is not living up to his expectations, and this week sophomore Christian Ducr sits atop the depth chart.
“Anthony Dixon doesn’t quite get it. He’s an excellent running back with excellent talent, but the idea of being a great player does not consume him,” Croom said.
Croom said in practice he noticed Ducr doing all the little things correctly. From the flex in his knees in his stance to pass protection to fishing forward on a run, Croom said those little things matter a lot.
As for the Blazers, this will be their third meeting with MSU. Each team has won on the other’s home field. The Blazers defeated State 27-13 in 2004.
Croom said he knows the game will not be easy. He remembers last season when his team had to go into overtime to defeat UAB 16-10 in Birmingham.
“The guys that played against them last year are well aware that we had to fight tooth and nail against them to win an overtime game,” Croom said. “They are a dangerous football team.”
Croom says he sees many similarities between UAB and some of the teams State has played in the past.
The Blazers use a two quarterback system with Sam Hunt and Justin Webb, much like Auburn. The two quarterbacks have combined to pass for 803 yards and six touchdowns through four games.
The Blazers are led in rushing by sophomore running back Rashad Slaughter, who averages 45 yards per game.
The Blazers are coming off a close 38-30 loss to Tulsa. In the game, UAB had 403 yards of offense in its conference opener but could not slow down the Golden Hurricanes.
Saturday’s game will also mark the return of former State running back Brandon Thornton.
Thornton played in 18 games with the Bulldogs before transferring to UAB last season. In two games with the Blazers, Thornton averages 45 yards per game.