Preview: Mississippi State and South Alabama Battle in Season Opener

For the first time in two years, the Mississippi State Bulldogs will face the South Alabama Jaguars. In their prior meeting the Bulldogs cruised to a 35-3 victory in Mobile, Alabama. Despite the loss, the Jaguars have some hope going into Saturday’s game after making their first bowl game appearance that same year in the Camellia Bowl.

For the Bulldogs, after losing senior quarterback Dak Prescot,t filling the quarterback position has been a tricky. Head coach Dan Mullen announced that he will play two quarterbacks in the first quarter of Saturday’s season opener—red shirt freshmen Nick Fitzgerald and junior Damian Williams. Although the plan is not ideal, Mullen said he is still not sure just yet on who to go with.

Mullen said that during spring, there was a four-man race for the quarterback position before Elijah Staley transferred and that it is unorthodox to change quarterbacks during play as opposed to other positions. Mullen also said the the team has been working very hard and he and the coaching staff could not be more excited for the season to begin.

The Bulldogs send their regards#HailState pic.twitter.com/jQbvyLpSFW

— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) August 31, 2016

The Bulldogs head into the season opener with a lot of momentum and expectations after a record nine-plus winning seasons in 2014 and 2015.

Head Coach Dan Mullen is going into his eighth season with the Bulldogs and has lead the team to multiple victories where they have set school records. Just last year, the Bulldogs produced a first-team All-SEC quarterback in Dak Prescott and wide receiver Fred Ross in the same 2015 season. Mullen is familiar with success as he was the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach for the Gators from 2005 to 2008. During his time at Florida, Mullen was influential in Tebow’s Heisman Trophy win as well helping other star offensive players on the field.

Check out Saturday's game program cover featuring our senior All-America Candidate, @Theboss_8.#HailState pic.twitter.com/gAuynCDXLg

— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) August 31, 2016

Saturday’s game will kick off at 11 a.m in Starkville, Mississippi on SEC Network.