|
RB
Jerious Norwood |
|
2004
Statistics
|
Coach:
Sylvester Croom
3-8,
1 year |
2004
Record: 3-8
|
|
TULANE |
WON
28-7 |
AUBURN |
LOST
14-43 |
MAINE |
LOST
7-9 |
at
Louisiana State |
LOST
0-51 |
at
Vanderbilt |
LOST
13-31 |
UAB |
LOST
13-27 |
FLORIDA |
WON
38-31 |
KENTUCKY |
WON
22-7 |
at
Alabama |
LOST
14-30 |
ARKANSAS |
LOST
21-24 |
at
Mississippi |
LOST
3-20 |
|
2004 Final Rankings
AP-UR, Coaches-UR, BCS-UR
|
2005
Outlook
|
Few
coaches can turn around a program in one
year, and Sylvester Croom is no different.
While Mississippi State improved slightly
over a 2-10 mark in 2003, the Bulldogs didn't
take any giant leap(s) forward. But still,
Croom has this program headed in the right
direction. Some may view 15 players having
left since last year as a sign of trouble,
but those departures could actually prove
to be beneficial - it weeds out the players
who can't handle his style.
The
players that are still in Starkville will
provide another couple steps forward this
season. The offense was terrible/inconsistent
in 2004, but part of that has to be attributed
to Croom bringing in a new system and a
green QB. The talent there is now developed,
led by QB Omarr Conner and RB Jerious Norwood,
and least of all, Conner now knows what
not to do. Conner is a multi-dimensional
player who has greased wheels and a strong
(but raw) arm, while Norwood is a steady
performer who can be counted on to rack
up some yards. Conner just has to prove
he can beat teams deep to keep the box conventionally
stacked, and his threat as a rolling hurler
will freeze LBs most times.
The
defense is what will really make fans happy,
though. Croom spent the spring shuffling
players, more so on D. With talent across
the board, it is a matter of balance and
speed that will put them in foes heads early.
Can
the Bulldogs take a giant leap forward in
Croom's second year? Perhaps. A tough defense
gives any team a chance, but so does a schedule
that includes seven home games, including
dates with Murray State and Houston. The
always-tough SEC will make a dramatic improvement
difficult, though, especially with Auburn,
Georgia, LSU and Florida on the docket in
the first six weeks. We see the Bulldogs
certainly improving, but it may not be seen
so much in wins. They're at least a year
away from returning to the postseason, but
growing optimism will keep Maroon and White
worn for another 110 years.
Projected
2005 record: 5-6
|
|
|
DE
Titus Brown |
MISSISSIPPI
STATE
*POWER RATINGS
|
Offense
|
Defense
|
QB
- 2 |
DL
- 3.5 |
RB
- 4 |
LB
- 3 |
WR
- 3 |
DB
- 3 |
OL
- 2.5 |
.. |
|
RETURNING
LEADERS
|
Passing:
Omarr Conner, 206-107-7, 1224 yds., 6 TD
Rushing: Jerious Norwood, 195 att.,
1050 yds., 7 TD
Receiving: Will Prosser, 24 rec.,
328 yds., 0 TD
Scoring: Jerious Norwood, 7 TD, 42
pts.
Punting: Brooks Crabtree, 18 punts,
36.1 avg.
Kicking: Keith Andrews, 6-10 FG,
21-21 PAT, 39 pts.
Tackles: Willie Evans, 67 tot., 47
solo
Sacks: Willie Evans, 5.5 sacks
Interceptions: Jeramie Johnson, 3
for 35 yds.
Kickoff returns: Jonathan Lowe, 19
ret., 18.1 avg., 0 TD
Punt returns: Jonathan Lowe, 17 ret.,
11.5 avg., 1 TD
|
|
|
|
|
OFFENSE
- 8
|
----RETURNING
STARTERS----
|
DEFENSE
- 8
|
|
KEY
LOSSES
|
OFFENSE:
McKinley Scott-WR, Kyle York-QB, Fred Reid-HB,
Darnell Jones-FB, Richard Burch-OT, David
Stewart-OT, Will Rogers-OG |
DEFENSE:
Ronald
Fields-NT, Kenny Kern-MLB, Marvin Byrdsong-WLB,
Rico Bennett-WLB, Darren Williams-SS, Slovakia
Griffith-FS, Jared Cook-P |
|
|
2005
OFFENSE
|
Quarterback
There is excitement at quarterback with Omarr
Conner, who is ready for a breakout season. A
year ago, the former receiver was moved back to
quarterback, where he starred in high school (Mississippi's
Mr. Football as a senior). In addition to re-adjusting
to the position, Conner had to learn a new West
Coast-type offensive system. The results in his
first year under center were shaky (6 TD, 7 INT)
at best, but the experience will help him. He's
also ready shown improvement - he has a strong
arm and can elude defenders with his amazing,
quick moves. As a field general, he ran hot and
cold, so to speak, so consistency will be the
key to his own play being the core of any offensive/team
improvements.
Running
Back
Jerious Norwood is coming off a 1,000-yard season
and was the main Bulldog RB. The big back has
the speed (4.4) and strength to have his best
year. At some point, though, the Bulldogs need
to hold auditions for Norwood's replacement, and
svelte RS frosh Brandon Thornton is the top candidate.
State only runs its fullbacks once per quarter,
and, for an (west coast) offense that thinks in
short spurts, they should throw to them more,
too. Dezmond Sherrod has moved from tight end
and was impressive enough to take the starting
job from incumbent Bryson Davis' blocking ability
and good hands. The entire unit has huge potential,
especially as Conner is even more of a ground
threat, and especially as/when five other State
players run well-thought out patterns for optimal
distraction in planned roll-outs/scrambles. This
backfield will surprise many, and the ground scores
will surely increase to then get the WRs open
more in the red zone.
Receiver
Will Prosser and Tee Milons both return, but the
two have to be better. Neither has realized any
potential, and each could easily be replaced as
real-game reps reveal the up-and-comers for Conner's
future. After a strong offseason and spring, Prosser
will emerge still as the main target, while Milons
needs to become the deep threat he once was. Macon's
Joey Sanders (first-team all-state in Mississippi
out of high school) has the proven pedigree to
be a major weapon, and was atop the depth chart
last fall until a leg injury left his flanker
slot to less capable WRs. Tyler Threadgill is
the other quality underclassman to impact the
unit. The rest of the depth is totally unproven,
but we will say what we did last season - Conner
will wear these guys out if/when the right bunch
can come together. Croom should try, without stopping,
to stretch the field more than he did in '04,
for the entire offensive will only be more balanced
as he overworks opposing safeties (keeping them
out of the box).
Tight
End
Converted wide receiver Jason Husband (ranked
the top receiver prospect in Mississippi out of
high school) is slotted to start. It's a gamble
(listed at 208 lbs.), but he will be a better
target than Eric Butler, the incumbent starter.
Blake Pettit, a part-time starter in '04, also
figures into the mix, but it is highly-touted
RS frosh Jeremy Jones (285 lbs.) and his soft
hands which should redefine the position for State.
Offensive
Line
This is the one group that could stunt the growth
of the Bulldog offense. Center Chris McNeil and
left guard Brian Anderson are both experienced,
and both are among the SEC's best. Unfortunately,
the rest of the group doesn't measure up, especially
with slated-starter Wadley (RT) still battling
leg problems. The Bulldogs are weak at tackle
- not a good sign for a team that often isolates
its blockers. With only three upperclassmen listed
as subs in the three-deep, incoming four-star
(sluggish) behemoth tackle Calvin Wilson could
impact the unit. Besides the receivers, this group
looks to be the marginally weakest team link.
OFFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
This offense missed hitting anything close to
its potential and simply didn't get the job done
consistently/often enough. Only three teams in
the country scored fewer points, and only 10 produced
fewer yards. Experience alone (eight returning
starters) suggests the Bulldogs will get better,
and we feel that the promise here can now be realized
as they exactly what NOT to do. This is still
a work in progress, but the passing game will
be better, and with Norwood still leading their
ground attack, the Bulldogs will have the base-nucleus
to expand from there. Still, don't expect miracles
in Starkville. As Conner (proverbially) gets his
feet underneath him, we will see the ball-moving
machine click as the others realize how their
complimentary roles complete his efforts. Conner
himself just has to play within his talents and
not try to overly improvise until then, for this
offense flies or dies via his (and the OL's) developments.
|
|
C
Chris McNeil
|
|
|
MISSISSIPPI
STATE 2005 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in bold
|
OFFENSE
|
QB |
Omarr
Conner-Jr |
Michael
Henig-Fr |
FB |
Dezmond
Sherrod-So |
Bryson
Davis-Jr |
HB |
Jerious
Norwood-Sr |
Brandon
Thornton-Fr / Jonathan Lowe-So |
WR |
Tee
Milons-Sr |
Joey
Sanders-So |
WR |
Will
Prosser-Jr |
Keon
Humphries-Fr |
TE |
Jason
Husband-So |
Eric
Butler-So / Blake Pettit-Jr |
OT |
James
Redmond-Jr |
Roland
Terry-Fr |
OG |
Brian
Anderson-Jr |
Royce
Blackledge-So |
C |
Chris
McNeil-Sr |
Dio
Herrera-Fr |
OG |
Anthony
Strauder-Fr |
James
Cochran-Jr |
OT |
Johnny
Wadley-Sr |
Avery
House-Sr |
K |
Keith
Andrews-Jr |
Adam
Carlson-Fr |
|
|
2005
DEFENSE
|
Defensive
Line
With three starters returning, the Bulldogs are
stronger up front than their 89th ranking versus
the run suggests. Statistically, left end Willie
Evans is among the top pass rushers in school
history, while his counterpart on the right side,
Michael Heard, has great speed (4.4) and penetration.
Titus Brown, who started the last half of '04
at MLB, had a strong spring, and will push Evans
and Heard for a starting job. Andrew Powell and
Deljuan Robinson are solid at tackle, but newcomer
Louis Ellis (Jackson) looks to (least of all)
add depth and speed inside. Overall, this group
will grow into its SEC britches and surpass expectations
until foes realize this strengthening unit can/will
(more than) hold its own.
Linebacker
The Bulldogs have an athletic and skilled group.
Quinton Culberson, a former Parade all-American,
came to Starkville as a top rated CB. Since then,
he's played corner and safety, as well as at outside
linebacker. Now, his prowess to be found any/everywhere
makes him the starter in the middle, with a spectacular
spring to boot. He will be flanked by Gabe O'Neal,
who was adequate in his true freshman year, and
Clarence McDougal, who started the first half
of '04. A number of (incoming) three-star recruits
dot the roster, so depth here isn't an issue.
And even though this unit will make big plays,
the corps is terribly undersized for the conference.
They have the athleticism to overcome this dilemma,
but they will have to play over their heads to
keep their efforts viable for every game.
Defensive
Back
For all the troubles Mississippi State had a year
ago, the secondary was their bright spot. Among
the top pass-defense units in the country (ranked
11th), State will keep it up. Cornerbacks Kevin
Dockery and David Heard both return to their starting
roles and will be the anchors of the secondary.
A pair of converted cornerbacks - Jeramie Johnson
and (SEC all-frosh) Mario Bobo - will start at
safety. Both have exceptional talent and will
keep the pass defense clicking.
DEFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
No question, the defense is the key to Mississippi
State winning more games. Croom plays musical
chairs with personnel here, and by the end of
the spring it appears he has found a worthy/winning
combination. The front seven is speedy and aggressive
and will present matchup problems against many.
They'll make plays, which will ease the growing
pains of the secondary (new safeties). The Bulldogs
had trouble stopping foes in the second and fourth
quarters, so adjustments have to be made that
are not just consistently countered for end-of-the-half
success(es).
|
|
DE
Willie Evans
|
|
|
MISSISSIPPI
STATE 2005 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in bold
|
DEFENSE
|
DE |
Titus
Brown-So |
Willie
Evans-Sr |
NT |
Andrew
Powell-Jr |
Corey
Clark-So |
DT |
Deljuan
Robinson-Jr |
Avery
Hannibal-So |
DE |
Michael
Heard-Jr |
Rob
Walker-Sr |
SLB |
Gabe
O'Neal-So |
Fred
Akines-Fr |
MLB |
Quinton
Culberson-Jr |
Brad
Horton-Jr |
WLB |
Clarence
McDougal-Sr |
Anthony
Littlejohn-Fr |
CB |
Kevin
Dockery-Sr |
Jamaal
Johnson-Sr |
CB |
David
Heard-Jr |
Keith
Fitzhugh-Fr |
SS |
Mario
Bobo-So |
Jonathan
Hill-So |
FS |
Jeramie
Johnson-Jr |
Marcus
Evans-Sr |
P |
Brooks
Crabtree-Sr |
Andrew
Gambrell-Fr |
|
|
|
2005
SPECIAL TEAMS
|
Kicker/Punter
Keith Andrews will once again handle the kicking duties.
He had a good first year as a starter, but has to be
better with his mid-range field goals (2-for-5 from
30-39 yards). Brooks Crabtree is the new punter, although
he does have limited experience. A walk-on to the program
last year, Crabtree punted 18 times, but has to improve
his average (36.1) now that he's the man. He's also
a valuable asset as the holder for Andrews.
Return
Game
The responsibility to get the Bulldogs in decent field
position falls on Jonathan Lowe once again. He was the
main guy on KOs, and the only player to return a punt
in '04 and did well enough in both roles to be recognized
as one of the SEC's top freshmen (Sporting News). He's
got breakaway speed (TD vs. UF). Lowe is listed as the
top in each category, but, on KOs, he was outplayed
in 2004 by Threadgill - yet, curiously, Threadgill isn't
listed anywhere on the three-deep (three RS freshmen
back up Lowe). The net results were solid in '04, but
they need to be better on KO coverage.
|
|
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|