Conner slow to warm up in QB debut
By By Tony Krausz / assistant sports editor
Sept. 6, 2004
STARKVILLE Omarr Conner's first-half performance against Tulane on Saturday gave little indication of things to come from Mississippi State University's new offense.
Conner's execution and the play-calling kept most of MSU's passing potential hidden.
The Bulldogs' precision-passing west coast offense remained dormant for most of the opening half of the team's 28-7 win over the Green Wave.
MSU pounded the ball into Tulane's defense, handing the pigskin off to running backs Jerious Norwood and Fred Reid a combined 15 times in the game's first 30 minutes. The run attack produced 46 of the Bulldogs' 85 yards in the first half.
During the Bulldogs' first offensive series, which ended with a punt after nine plays, Norwood carried the ball five times, and Conner ran once. Conner attempted just three passes, completing one to McKinley Scott for nine yards.
Conner struggled to find his way at times in his first start at quarterback at the collegiate level.
The sophomore-signal caller lost his grip on the ball on his first run on MSU's third play of the game. He was able to fall on the loose ball for an eight-yard gain and a first down.
Conner connected on just 5-of-12 passes for 85 yards in the first half, and he threw one ball directly to a Tulane defender from out of the Bulldogs' end zone. The Green Wave interception, which came midway through the second quarter, didn't stand because Tulane was flagged for roughing the passer.
Conner and the rest of the Bulldogs' offense ended the game with a flourish. The Bulldogs gained 72 of their 111 passing yards and 153 of their 199 rushing yards in the second half.
Norwood, who gained 102 yards in the game, juked and jived his way into the end zone on a nine-yard run two minutes into the second half for the game's first touchdown.
On the next MSU offensive series, Conner orchestrated a seven-play, 54-yard scoring drive, hitting passes of 27 and 15 yards during the march. The Bulldog quarterback capped the drive by hitting Eric Butler with an 11-yard strike in the right side of the end zone to give MSU a 14-0 lead with 8:21 left in the third.
The third quarter showcased the passing-rushing combo that has made the west coast offense so chic in the NFL. MSU threw the ball seven times for 72 yards and gained 24 yards on eight carries.
After a two-series break in the third quarter, Conner returned behind center in the fourth to toss a 10-yard pass to Will Prosser during a three-play, 58-yard drive that ended with a five-yard touchdown run by Fred Reid, who gained 37 yards on 15 carries. The score put MSU up 21-7 with 11:23 left in the game.
MSU put the game away with a 12-play, 72-yard scoring march, in which the Bulldogs ran on every play.
The offense's 310-yard, 28-point performance against Tulane is a start, but the Bulldogs still have plenty of work to do in their new intricate offensive system.
