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Coach Dan Mullen ecstatic with team’s health entering Egg Bowl
By Pat Donohue
Published:
Mississippi State is coming off a thrilling 51-50 win against Arkansas in Week 12 and is gearing up for the Egg Bowl against Ole Miss in Starkville this weekend.
Dan Mullen held his weekly press conference on Monday, and normally injury news is something that gets addressed at the end of the presser, but Mullen couldn’t wait to share the news of how healthy his team is heading into the regular-season finale.
“I think we came out of last week’s game healthier than we went into it.” – Coach Mullen
— MSU Football (@HailStateFB) November 23, 2015
Mullen says MSU is pretty clear on the injury front. TE Gus Walley is questionable and that’s it for the injury list.
— Bob Carskadon (@bobcarskadon) November 23, 2015
However, there was some concern on the part of Bulldogs fans when junior right tackle Justin Senior went down against the Razorbacks and did not return to the game. But Mullen said the injury is a minor one, and the main reason Senior did not go back in was because his replacement Elgton Jenkins was playing so well.
Mullen said Justin Senior had an ankle sprain. Wasn’t major but Jenkins was playing well. No need to switch. — Michael Bonner (@MikeBBonner) November 23, 2015
The Bulldogs have the luxury of getting their final game at home against an Ole Miss team that is playing some of its best football of the season. Mullen knows how much playing in Starkville means for his team and the Bulldogs fanbase.
“Home field advantage is such a big deal. Our fans do such a great job … making things difficult for the visiting team.” – Coach Mullen
— MSU Football (@HailStateFB) November 23, 2015
Mullen on Egg Bowl: “I think it’s a big game for our fanbase and for everybody. You get a year’s worth of bragging rights in the state.” — Bob Carskadon (@bobcarskadon) November 23, 2015
Getting to play the Egg Bowl at home is even more special for Mississippi State this year because it will be Senior Night for the Bulldogs, who will be saying goodbye to a very successful senior class that includes the best quarterback in the program’s history, Dak Prescott.
Mullen on his seniors: “They’re the winningest class since that crew in ’42. We remember those guys.”
— Bob Carskadon (@bobcarskadon) November 23, 2015
“They’ve been apart of the changing of perception of our program. Nationally and within the fan base.” – Coach Mullen on the senior class — MSU Football (@HailStateFB) November 23, 2015
Mullen: I don’t know if there’s anyone in MSU history that holds as many records as he holds. He’ll get a pretty loud ovation. — Michael Bonner (@MikeBBonner) November 23, 2015
Mullen certainly hopes to graduate more classes like his seniors this year and that all starts with good recruiting. Common sense would suggest that the Egg Bowl could have some serious implications on recruiting within the state of Mississippi but, as most coaches would, Mullen downplayed that idea.
Mullen says he’s “never” seen the outcome of the Egg Bowl impact recruiting. Says people are picking schools based on fit.
— Bob Carskadon (@bobcarskadon) November 23, 2015
Mullen also scoffed at questions about rumors swirling around that he could leave Mississippi State in the offseason for one of the many coaching vacancies across college football.
Mullen on other jobs: I don’t like commenting on other jobs because I love the one that I have. — Michael Bonner (@MikeBBonner) November 23, 2015
Mullen says reports on jobs don’t phase him. “You’re always either getting hired or you’re getting fired. I’d rather be getting hired.”
— Bob Carskadon (@bobcarskadon) November 23, 2015
Pat Donohue is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers Ole Miss and Mississippi State. Follow him on Twitter @SportsDownPat.
