MSU is healing on, off the field

By By Tony Krausz / assistant sports editor
Nov. 4, 2003
STARKVILLE Mississippi State University players got a chance to heal their bodies and psyches over the weekend.
Mired in another disappointing season and dealing with head coach Jackie Sherrill's announcement that he will leave the program at the end of the season, the players were able to get away from campus before they begin the stretch run.
With an open date, the Bulldogs (2-6, 1-3 Southeastern Conference) took last Friday and Saturday off before returning to campus to prepare for this weekend's match up with Alabama.
The time off didn't just allow team members a chance to visit family and friends. It also gave the Bulldogs time to heal their bodies.
Following MSU's 42-17 loss to Kentucky on Oct. 25, MSU had a laundry list of injuries. Sherrill said many of the players are expected to be ready to suit up and return to practice this week.
The only two players that are doubtful to return to active duty are offensive guard Will Rogers and tight end Aaron Lumpkin.
Lumpkin, who has caught 13 passes for 146 yards with two touchdowns, is out with an ankle injury, and Rodgers is nursing both an ankle and a knee injury.
The absence of Lumpkin from the line up has forced the Bulldogs to retool their offensive plans.
While Rogers absence from the offensive line will be missed, MSU will have the services of center Blake Jones for the game against the Crimson Tide.
Running back Jerious Norwood, who rushed for a season-high 133 yards against Kentucky, also suffered a minor injury against the Wildcats, but Sherrill said Norwood is on the practice field.
Along with having numerous players return to the field healthy, MSU is hoping it can fix its defense before entering the final four-game stretch of the season.
The Bulldogs have allowed 36.4 points and 476.4 yards per game this season.
As the season draws closer to its conclusion, a long lists of lasts for Sherrill seems to get longer and longer, and this weekend's game may be the biggest finale of them all.
When the Bulldogs line up against the Tide, it will be the final time Sherrill takes on his alma mater as MSU's head coach.
Sherrill played for coach Paul "Bear" Bryant from 1962-65, and he began his coaching career at Alabama as a graduate assistant in 1966.
The Bulldogs are scheduled to kick off against the Tide at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Davis Wade Stadium. The contest will be broadcasted by Jefferson-Pilot.