What Dan Mullen said after Mississippi State was upset by Ole Miss
No. 14 Mississippi State had a disappointing finish to the regular season on Thanksgiving night (Thursday) when it lost the Egg Bowl to in-state rival Ole Miss.
Head coach Dan Mullen’s squad climbed back in the fourth quarter — and dominated the stat sheet in key areas — but lost 31-28.
Mullen addressed the media in Starkville after the game.
He was asked about his quarterback, Nick Fitzgerald, who was injured in the first half. He also was asked about whether he planned to return as Mississippi State’s head coach next season.
Here’s what Mullen had to say after the game, in general:
Mullen is here. “Obviously frustrating for us.”
— Bob Carskadon (@bobcarskadon) November 24, 2017
Mullen says that things didn’t go their way but they continued to compete for four quarters.
— Robbie Faulk (@robbiefaulk247) November 24, 2017
Dan Mullen is here. “Disappointed but proud of our fight. We just ran out of time at the end. Wish we had 61 or 62 minutes.” pic.twitter.com/SYrJixRHsk
— Robby Donoho III (@RobbyDonoho) November 24, 2017
On the injured star QB:
dislocated ankle for Fitzgerald, Mullen said.
— Will Sammon (@WillSammon) November 24, 2017
Nick Fitzgerald has a dislocated ankle, Mullen says, but “I don’t have anything beside that.”
— Bob Carskadon (@bobcarskadon) November 24, 2017
Too many turnovers:
Mullen: “Not gonna win many games when you turn the ball over five times.”
— Bob Carskadon (@bobcarskadon) November 24, 2017
On Fitzgerald’s backup:
Mullen on Keytaon Thompson: “As everybody sees, he has a really bright future for us.”
— Bob Carskadon (@bobcarskadon) November 24, 2017
Mullen says Keytaon Thompson was going to get a lot of reps in bowl prep anyway. Now likely to get more in the likely event that Fitzgerald can’t go.
— Brett Hudson (@Brett_Hudson) November 24, 2017
Stats can be deceiving:
Mullen: Look at the stat sheet and you think you win the game until you see the explosive plays and turnovers.
— Brett Hudson (@Brett_Hudson) November 24, 2017
And the big question:
Asked if he’ll be the coach of MSU next year, Mullen says, “I plan on it. As I said, I’m very, very happy here.”
— Bob Carskadon (@bobcarskadon) November 24, 2017
Mullen says he plans on being the coach next year. “I’m happy with our administration. The program we’ve built is pretty special. I’m fortunate to be the coach.”
— Robbie Faulk (@robbiefaulk247) November 24, 2017
