Mississippi State shall be lacking key personnel when it kicks off the Jeff Lebby teaching period by internet hosting FCS foe Jap Kentucky Saturday night in Starkville, Miss.
Lebby, the offensive coordinator at Oklahoma the previous two seasons, stated switch receiver Kelly Akharaiyi and security Corey Ellington aren’t out there for the opener whereas resting accidents that hampered them in fall camp. He additionally introduced that operating again Jeffery Pittman is not on the roster.
“We’ll proceed to have a look at their state of affairs as we get into the season and hopefully get these guys again sooner relatively than later,” Lebby stated of the accidents. “Pitt is a man who’s not with us this yr so I will not get into the small print of that inner matter.”
Akharaiyi had 48 catches for 1,033 yards and 7 touchdowns whereas incomes first-team All-Convention USA honors for UTEP in 2023. Ellington has 92 profession tackles in 31 video games for the Bulldogs.
Pittman rushed for 268 yards for Mississippi State final yr, however Lebby has confidence in Keyvone Lee, Utah State switch Davon Sales space, and junior faculty switch Johnnie Daniels at operating again.
“I be ok with these three,” Lebby stated. “I believe we’re a lot, a lot improved from the spring to proper now at that place, which I believe is nice.”
Mississippi State completed 5-7 final season below coaches Zach Arnett and Greg Knox, together with 1-7 in Southeastern Convention motion.
The Bulldogs shall be taking up an Jap Kentucky group that completed 5-6 final yr, dropping 4 video games that have been every determined by three factors.
The Colonels are beginning a brand new quarterback in switch Matt Morrissey, who threw for two,008 yards and 13 scores final season at Western Illinois.
Giving up explosive performs was a significant concern on protection final season.
“We would play nice, nice, nice, then increase. They received us.,” coach Walt Wells stated, per the Lexington (Ky.) Herald-Chief. “And we did not reply from that.”
–Area Stage Media
