By JOEL COLEMAN
Starkville Daily News
Mississippi State head coach Joe Moorhead knows exactly which quarterback he plans to start when the Bulldogs face Tennessee on Saturday. However he doesn’t seem interested in disclosing that information just yet.
MSU heads to Knoxville for an 11 a.m. kick on Saturday morning and ever since State’s last game eight days ago, one of the most intriguing storylines surrounding the Bulldogs has centered on whether true freshman Garrett Shrader or Tommy Stevens will lead the State offense. It seems like no one other than Moorhead and the Bulldogs will know until Saturday, though Moorhead did disclose it seems possible both Shrader and Stevens will see action.
“We have a starter in mind right now,” Moorhead said Monday at his weekly press conference. “That doesn’t preclude both from playing either in separate series or both playing at the same time. So we have a plan for one to start and one to play and then possibly two play at the same time. We’ve covered all the bases.”
Stevens began the year as MSU’s starter. However he was injured midway through State’s second game of the year. He’s also dealt with a couple of different ailments since. While Stevens dealt with his injuries, Shrader stepped in. Shrader has now entered in relief of Stevens in three games this year after Stevens was hurt. Shrader also started against Kentucky.
In his time on the field, Shrader has been a huge spark for MSU’s offense. He won the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week award for his efforts against Kentucky, then eight days ago at Auburn, Shrader was about the lone bright spot for the Bulldogs as he again displayed his dual-threat ability and gave State some offensive life.
Perhaps Shrader will again get the chance to see significant playing time this week. Or maybe Stevens will reclaim his old job. Both guys, Moorhead said, are “a little bit nicked up right now”, but both are practicing fully getting ready for Saturday. Just who runs out for the first snap though is being held close to Moorhead’s vest.
“We kind of have a plan for what we expect to do with both of them healthy,” Moorhead said. “We’ll continue to work through the week and work the plan and see where we’re at on Friday.”
Walker won’t play
One individual who for sure won’t play on Saturday, or in any game this year, is running back Kareem Walker. Moorhead confirmed Monday that Walker will be academically redshirted this year. He’ll continue to practice with the Bulldogs, but won’t see game action in 2019. He’ll be eligible to play next year.
Walker just began practicing with MSU last week. He was a part of State’s most recent signing class, but wasn’t cleared to begin practicing with the Bulldogs until recently due to undisclosed administrative issues.
One injury
Only one MSU player seems iffy to play from an injury standpoint on Saturday. Moorhead noted Monday that defensive back Collin Duncan is dealing with an undisclosed ailment, but said it is expected Duncan will be “healed up” at some point this week.
MSU-LSU time TBD
Mississippi State will have to wait to find out its game time for its October 19 home game against LSU. Television network CBS elected to use its six-day option for games on that day, so no game times for October 19 will be set until after games are played this coming weekend.
The Starkville Daily News Bulldog Beat 