Unknowns at Mississippi State Quarterback Position

Not much from Mike Leach’s offensive production carried over into the first year of Zac Arnett’s tenure at Mississippi State. The most prolific passing offense in the SEC is a shell of itself as the Bulldogs sort through injuries and a significant transition from Leach’s Air Raid to Kevin Barbay’s pro-style system.

A year ago Will Rogers averaged 305 passing yards per game. He only surpassed the 200-yard threshold in two games before he suffered an injury to his left shoulder against Western Michigan Oct. 7. Rogers was sidelined in a win at Arkansas and last Saturday at Auburn.

With Rogers out, Arnett turned to an SEC veteran, Mike Wright. The duel-threat quarterback who transferred from Vanderbilt was used as a change of pace, running option in every game until Rogers’ injury. As a starter over the last two contests he’s completed 24-of-44 passes (54.5%) for 246 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Wright ran for 5 yards per carry, totaling 120 yards in the two games.

Mississippi State supporters in Starkville are now intrigued with another quarterback on the roster. Chris Parson was a four-star, top 25 talent that was recruited by Kentucky and previously committed to Florida State before flipping to Mississippi State. A reporter asked Arnett if playing Parson was a possibility against Kentucky.

“Yeah, I think there’s a chance,” he said with a smirk. “I think it’s Monday and I don’t think it’s in my best interest to talk about the intricacies, all the specifics of the gameplan.”

To recap, Mississippi State has a QB that’s all arm that probably can’t play. They have a runner that will likely start, but also a true freshman that could do a little bit of both. Kentucky must prepare for all options in Starkville.

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Kentucky Familiar with Mississippi State QB Mike Wright

The last time the Big Blue Nation saw Mike Wright in action, things did not end well for the Wildcats. Running the Vanderbilt offense alongside Ray Davis, he rushed for 126 yards, including a 59-yard touchdown. He passed for 126 yards and threw the game-winning touchdown with just seconds left on the clock at Kroger Field.

That was the most memorable game, but he also performed well against the Wildcats in 2021. Trailing 31-3, Wright entered the game in Nashville and threw two touchdown passes to make it a respectable 34-17 final score.

“He is a type of guy that can hurt you at any given time with his legs. Whether it is on schedule with design quarterback run or reads, and then just pulling it down and scrambling he can create plays as well,” Mark Stoops said Monday.

“He is a guy you have to keep in the pocket. He is a guy that, much like last year and this year, you see signs of down-the-field passing and he can definitely throw the ball. They are building on that. They always have some playmakers at wide receiver as well. He is growing. You are seeing their offense grow with him under center. I am not for sure 100 percent if it is going to be Mike or if it will be Will (Rogers). They are very different players, obviously, we will have to be ready for all of it.”