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Coming off a big road win at Auburn in Week 4, Dan Mullen and his Mississippi State Bulldogs are confident as they get set to play the visitor’s role again this week against Texas A&M.
In his weekly press conference on Monday, Mullen opened by acknowledging the fact that Bulldogs linebacker Richie Brown was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week for his 13-tackle (three for a loss), two-sack performance against Auburn.
Mullen opens on Richie Brown winning the SEC defensive player of the week.
— Michael Bonner (@MikeBBonner) September 28, 2015
“Great honor for @richiebrown39 being named @SEC Defensive Payer of the Week.” –@CoachDanMullen
— MSU Football (@HailStateFB) September 28, 2015
Mullen said the Bulldogs came out of their Week 4 meeting with the Tigers healthy for the most part but that he believes his team is a bit tired from all the late starts to their games.
Mullen said MSU came out of Auburn healthy. — Michael Bonner (@MikeBBonner) September 28, 2015
Mullen: I think they’re healthy, I think they’re tired. Only once this year we’ve been able to be home by 2 a.m.
— Michael Bonner (@MikeBBonner) September 28, 2015
Now that their first conference win of the season is in the books, Mullen and his squad are gearing up for a presumably tougher SEC opponent this week in Texas A&M. Mullen knows that College Station can be a tough environment to play in and thinks the Aggies will present the Bulldogs with their tallest task yet.
“We have a really tough opponent this week. Biggest stadium in the SEC. It’s going to be a raucous environment.” -DM #HailState — MSU Football (@HailStateFB) September 28, 2015
Mullen says A&M has one of the best QBs in the conference and “probably the best defense we’ve played so far.” Credits the speed on defense.
— Bob Carskadon (@bobcarskadon) September 28, 2015
“Going to be a huge challenge for us and we’re going to have to play excellent team football and find a way to win.” -DM #HailState — MSU Football (@HailStateFB) September 28, 2015
Mullen then fielded a few questions regarding the status of Mississippi State’s kicker Westin Graves, who is perfect on the season, hitting all five of his field goals. But he has yet to attempt a field goal longer than 44 yards and was not brought in to try and win the game at the end against LSU in Week 2. Mullen instead decided to put punter Devon Bell in for the 52-yard kick that failed.
Mullen said Westin Graves has moved back from longer distances in practice, but won’t put him situations where he would fail. — Michael Bonner (@MikeBBonner) September 28, 2015
Mullen took a few moments to praise Bulldogs defensive coordinator Manny Diaz for the job he’s done on that side of the ball. He said Diaz’s scheme and sound tackling by the Bulldogs will be key to beating Texas A&M this week.
Mullen: Manny Diaz takes away what teams like to do. That causes problems in the red zone. — Michael Bonner (@MikeBBonner) September 28, 2015
“We have to be a great tackling team this week.” -DM #HailState — MSU Football (@HailStateFB) September 28, 2015
After losing the early-season meeting to LSU, all of Mississippi State’s conference games are now crucial if the Bulldogs want any chance of winning the SEC. This is not news to Mullen.
Mullen: “Everyone wants to win the SEC West undefeated but that doesn’t happen very often … Two losses…that’s harder to come back from.” — Bob Carskadon (@bobcarskadon) September 28, 2015
Perhaps the matchup to watch in the Week 5 showdown between the Bulldogs and Aggies will be Heisman-hopeful quarterback Dak Prescott against the lethal pass rush of Texas A&M, headlined by Myles Garrett. When asked about preparing for the Aggies’ edge rushers, Mullen said he believes the play and decision-making of Prescott will go a long way in neutralizing the defense’s pressure.
Mullen said, a smart QB making good decisions can help minimize sacks against a very good defensive line. A&M leads the SEC sacks. — Michael Bonner (@MikeBBonner) September 28, 2015
