Conner and Rutland Out, WV downs the Dawgs 42-14
Filed Under Mississippi State Sports | Posted on October 8, 2006
Quarterback Omarr Conner suffered what might be a season and career ending groin injury during a third quarter scrambe on Saturday versus West Virginia. Conner was tackled from behind on a third down run and had to be helped from the field. An MRI is scheduled for today.
Backup quarterback Tray Rutland was in the game for only one play but suffered a ACL tear late in the fourth quarter. His season is done leaving us with only two quarterbacks on the depth chart. Mike Henig returned to action after Conner went down in the third quarter and lead the Bulldogs down the field on three drives. Two drives resulted in interceptions. One ball bounced out of Burks hands in the endzone, the other was hit has Henig released the ball. Both sealed WV’s victory and turned the momentum completely in their favor. WV gave the Dawgs chance after chance with their Raider like penalty performance (I believe they had 6 PF penalties).
The Mountaineers spread the field and ran the ball very well against the 35th ranked rush defense of the Bulldogs. They also used some timely pass plays to keep us from completely crowding the line. We continued play 8 to 10 yards off the ball at the corner and this gave White plenty of room to work the ball into his receivers.
A few bright spots!
- Henig looked pretty good. They spread the field put him in the gun and gave him a chance to hit open receivers. Unfortunately, we kept Conner under the center and used seven step drops that kept him scrambling for his life and may have ended his Bulldog career. Note to coaching staff: Try to learn something from WV’s WCO.
- Will Prosser - the senior played hard and made a spectacular catch to keep a Bulldog drive alive in the 4th quarter.
The Ugly!
- I said before the game Pat White would beat us, and he did. He rushed 76 yards and two touchdowns.
- Our rush defense gave up 314 yards and 5 touchdowns. 406 total yards!
- Tony Burks - look at his line and you would never know it, but he had several key drops and the big one in the endzone that lead to an interception. A playmaker has to make those plays. He has the size, the speed, and the tools to be something great, but he hasn’t put it together.
Bring on Jax State for homecoming! The Gamecocks are 3-2 and coming off a blowout of Murray State.
