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As one would expect after playing tough conference opponents on the road in consecutive weeks, Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen is glad to be home and made that clear in his opening statement to the media during his weekly press conference on Monday.
“It’s great coming back home. We’ve had a tough stretch with three top 25 teams.” @CoachDanMullen #HailState
— MSU Football (@HailStateFB) October 5, 2015
Although the Bulldogs have already played one of the nation’s toughest schedules to date, Mullen said his team is not looking past their upcoming matchup with Troy from the much-weaker Sun Belt Conference.
“Going to be a good challenge for us. If you don’t come out and play well you aren’t going to win. We have to improve.” DM #HailState — MSU Football (@HailStateFB) October 5, 2015
Mullen then got to the news that every Bulldogs fan was waiting for: an injury report, which included the loss of a starting safety for the season.
Injuries: Kendrick Market is out for the year with a torn ACL. Gabe Myles, Rufus Warren and Joe Morrow “questionable” this week.
— Bob Carskadon (@bobcarskadon) October 5, 2015
It’s a tough break for Market, who also tore his Achilles at the end of last season. Mullen also added that starting cornerback Will Redmond is questionable for next week with an injury. Mullen later added that Market unfortunately played too many games this year to receive a medical redshirt, and thus, a sixth season of eligibility.
Kendrick Market can’t ask for a sixth year. “That was probably the last play of his career.” — Michael Bonner (@MikeBBonner) October 5, 2015
For those asking, Mullen says there’s no recourse for getting a sixth year for Kendrick Market. Played too many games this year.
— Bob Carskadon (@bobcarskadon) October 5, 2015
With the secondary looking depleted because of injuries, Mullen said the Bulldogs will have to rely on some of their younger players to step up.
Mullen on young safeties: “Guys are going to have to grow up in a hurry.” — Michael Bonner (@MikeBBonner) October 5, 2015
Mississippi State is still a run-first team but its numbers on the ground have been down from last season. Mullen said improving the Bulldogs’ running game is a primary focus right now.
Mullen says MSU still has “a ways to go” in getting the rushing game going. Said statistics are improving, but wants to keep improving.
— Bob Carskadon (@bobcarskadon) October 5, 2015
If Mullen can get the running game back on track, he has high expectations for the Bulldogs offense.
“I want to be balanced. In the end an ideal day is 50-50 run pass with 500 yards and 40 points.” DM on the MSU offense #HailState — MSU Football (@HailStateFB) October 5, 2015
Mullen also shared his plan to get more players involved in an attempt to correct some of the Bulldogs’ shortcomings.
“I think as a whole, we have to play more players. I don’t think we’re rotating enough on offense of defense right now.” DM #HailState
— MSU Football (@HailStateFB) October 5, 2015
On his defense, Mullen said he thinks the Bulldogs are playing well overall on that side of the ball but also addressed the lack of turnovers they are causing.
Mullen: I think we’re playing good defense in that way of not giving up points. — Michael Bonner (@MikeBBonner) October 5, 2015
Mullen on lack of turnovers: I think a lot of times turnovers come in bunches. We missed the opportunity to have some.
— Michael Bonner (@MikeBBonner) October 5, 2015
Mullen finished up with an injury update on his wide receiver Gabe Myles, who hurt his leg against the Aggies.
On WR Gabe Myles, Mullen said the diagnosis on his leg is “a lot better” than what they originally expected. Don’t expect a long absence. — Bob Carskadon (@bobcarskadon) October 5, 2015
Pat Donohue is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers Ole Miss and Mississippi State. Follow him on Twitter @SportsDownPat.
