Mississippi State football: five players who earned a helmet sticker for Week 2

Sep 10, 2016; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive lineman A.J. Jefferson (47) sacks South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Perry Orth (10) during the first quarter of the game at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Here are five Mississippi State players who would get a helmet sticker if we did that type of thing.

We used to give out dawg bone helmet stickers, but not anymore. Nevertheless, I’m not going to let that stop me from giving out some virtual ones for excellent performances.

1. A.J. Jefferson 

Jefferson was all over the field once again. He recorded two tackles for loss including a sack.

A.J. was one of the seniors on the team who really took the Week 1 loss hard. Despite playing well personally, he felt he didn’t get the young guys mentally prepared enough to win a college football game. He accepted the challenges by the coaches and was a vocal leader and by example.

So far so good this year for A.J. Jefferson. Through just two games his stat line is really impressive: 12 tackles, six tackles for loss, three sacks and two quarterback hurries. He leads the SEC in TFL and sacks.

He’s always been an good defensive end, but it appears he’s ready to really make a mark this fall. Let’s hope he does what Preston Smith did as a senior and he continues this all year.

Sep 10, 2016; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Nick Fitzgerald (7) runs the ball during the first quarter of the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

2. Nick Fitzgerald 

Not only did Fitzgerald get the start and go wire-to-wire as State’s quarterback, but he set a school record for rushing yards by a QB with 195.

That was actually a record Dak Prescott did not hold. It was John Bond’s record – who has the top two spots before this game with 163 and 158 yards respectively.

Dan Mullen said he felt like the team needed to just have one quarterback, and he didn’t give Fitz much of a chance in Week 1. So he went with those instincts and it worked. Mullen also said Fitz is the QB going forward.

Nick threw for 178 yards and was very accurate, throwing on the run and from the pocket. He did very well.

Nov 14, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Fred Ross (8) runs the ball during the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Davis Wade Stadium. Alabama won 31-6. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

3. Fred Ross

Ross had a great game, especially as a punt returner. I, for one, don’t get too excited about seeing perhaps our best player returning punts because I fear injury, but he proved why the coaches want him back there. He had 4 returns for 37 yards, but his best return of the night was called back due to a block in the back.

As a WR he had five catches for 39 yards and one touchdown. While those aren’t huge numbers, he provided a safety blanket for Fitz as someone he knew would catch the football. I think these numbers and more vertical passing will occur as the year progresses.

On a reverse play, Fred reminded us that he’s left-handed when he lofted a perfect 17 yard touchdown pass to Donald Gray in the 2nd quarter.

Nov 28, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs mascot Bully runs onto the field before the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Davis Wade Stadium. Mississippi won 38-27. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

4. Logan Cooke

Punters don’t always get recognition, but Logan deserves some here. He had four punts for 198 yards (49.5 average) with three inside the 20. One punt he booted 68 yards in the air, landing in the endzone.

On kickoffs, three were touchbacks, and the other three were kicked to the goal line. USC returned them to the 16, 20 and 29 yard line. Overall, good kickoffs.

He even rushed for two yards on a failed fake punt attempt. That wasn’t really his fault though – it was a horrible call to go for it up 24 points at midfield with the Gamecocks in punt safe.

Sep 10, 2016; Starkville, MS, USA;South Carolina Gamecocks running back A.J. Turner (25) avoids Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker J.T. Gray (12) during a run that would result in a touchdown during the third quarter of the game at Davis Wade Stadium. Mississippi State won 27-14. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

1. J.T. Gray

Gray is playing the star linebacker position and was a force in this one. His combination of power and speed really give the defense versatility in the same way Matt Wells did when he was at State.

Gray notched eight tackles in this game. His counterpart at the star LB, Traver Jung, had a nice game as well with three tackles, a tackle for loss and a pass break-up.

J.T. played well on special teams as well, including this big hit:

Great game for J.T. Gray.

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