Kevin Sumlin previews Mississippi State, says QB Nick Starkel will be available Saturday
By Cody McClure
Published:
Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin met with the media in College Station on Tuesday to preview Saturday’s game against Mississippi State and give an update on some injured Aggies.
Sumlin commended State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald and said Mississippi State is well-coached on offense, defense and special teams.
He also noted that he’s been impressed with Mississippi State’s ability to run the ball, and its punter.
“They’ve also got a big, experienced offensive line with 60 or 70 starts,” Sumlin said.
He emphasized that the Bulldogs have given up the least sacks in the SEC, while A&M has the most sacks as a defense. That could be a key stat on Saturday.
Sumlin said one familiar name will be available this week as a backup quarterback:
Kevin Sumlin said QB Nick Starkel will be available as a back up this week.
— Travis L. Brown (@Travis_L_Brown) October 24, 2017
Sumlin said offensive lineman Keaton Sutherland could be available on Saturday:
Sumlin said OL Keaton Sutherland is doing good after having an emergency appendectomy before Florida. “He was running well yesterday.”
— Travis L. Brown (@Travis_L_Brown) October 24, 2017
Defensive back Donovan Wilson still isn’t ready to return.
Donovan Wilson will still be out for MIssissippi State, Kevin Sumlin said.
— Travis L. Brown (@Travis_L_Brown) October 24, 2017
Some other comments from Sumlin:
“I don’t know if we’ve had success yet,” A&M HC Kevin Sumlin said when asked how the team has handled success this year.
— Travis L. Brown (@Travis_L_Brown) October 24, 2017
Sumlin pointed out that Miss St has given up least sacks in SEC & A&M has most sacks — said it’s hard to ignore those 2 stats for Saturday.
— Brent Zwerneman (@BrentZwerneman) October 24, 2017
Sumlin: Buddy Johnson has a tremendous future here. That guy is extremely athletic. Playing all over special teams.
— TexAgs (@TexAgs) October 24, 2017
Sumlin: Bye week came at a good time for us but we have another stretch here to go. Staff has simplified things and focused on day-to-day.
— TexAgs (@TexAgs) October 24, 2017
Sumlin: It didn’t start well against UCLA. But how the [players] and coaching staff has handled it [is great]. Great leadership and energy.
— TexAgs (@TexAgs) October 24, 2017
Sumlin also mentioned that he watched a little baseball this past weekend.
Sumlin: [Went] to [Astros] game on Saturday. Building was ridiculous with energy. They’ve done a heck of a job from last year to now.
— TexAgs (@TexAgs) October 24, 2017
The Aggies and Bulldogs will kick off at 7:15 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Cody McClure is an SEC Football Writer for Saturday Down South. He lives in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he also co-hosts a midday sports radio show for FOX Sports. Cody previously worked for Athlon Sports.
