Bulldogs go inside Palmeiro for Wednesday workout

December 12, 2012

Mississippi State running back Nick Griffin (7) tore his ACL during last Saturday's practice and was scheduled for knee surgery today. (Photo by Kim Murrell, SDN)

The first day of Mississippi State bowl practice open to the public, wasn't so open.

The Bulldogs took the show inside the Palmeiro Center and no fans were permitted inside. The media was allowed to watch.

MSU head coach Dan Mullen and safeties coach Tony Hughes were not in attendance. Instead, they were on the road recruiting.

Offensive line coach John Hevesy took over running practice, but just like most practices, the drills were run by position coaches.

Just has Mullen and the rest of the coaching staff has done in past bowl practices, younger guys got the bulk of the work.

One of the positions that saw some new guys was at linebacker as freshmen Beniquez Brown and Richie Brown both took snaps.

"Let the young guys get their reps in," senior linebacker Cameron Lawrence said. "It's always good to see a fresh crop of guys coming in. These two linebackers we've got are young guys and I just see tremendous potential in them. I see a bright future for the program and it's exciting."

Many of the starters and seniors stood on the sideline during the scrimmage portion of the practice and had a good laugh at the young guys.
They also saw the people that will fill their spots once they are gone. Lawrence views it as a time to take a break and regroup.

"Time to get our bodies back healthy," Lawrence said. "Any bumps and bruises, (we) get those healed up."

Mullen said last week he wasn't going to do a great deal of experimenting, but he was going to see how sophomore linebacker Christian Holmes fared at tight end and fullback.

He did catch a few passes, but he has been doing it in most of bowl practice, which started last Friday.

"Actually I caught one last week in practice, but that was like the first time since my senior year in high school," Holmes said.

Freshman defensive lineman Nick James got some work as well. The Long Beach native weighs in at 330 pounds and stands 6-4.

There were times where he looked confused on the defensive line and times where he looked completely in control.

Today's practice starts at 3:45 p.m. and is open to the public. It will be held at the practice fields, which is right behind the softball complex.

Russell spent
practice in boot

Junior quarterback Tyler Russell spend the whole practice with a boot on his left foot.

He got banged up in the 41-24 loss to Ole Miss to end the regular season.
Mullen confirmed last week that everybody was healthy for the bowl game.

Russell did take a few snaps and throw a couple of balls during the scrimmage.

Griffin suffers
torn ACL

Sophomore running back Nick Griffin tore his ACL in his right knee during practice last Saturday.

He is set to have surgery today.

Griffin was present at practice, but did not participate. He walked around for a little while with his knee in a brace.

No timetable has been set for his return.

"Y'all just don't know how much I appreciate all the love and support from everyone," Griffin tweeted out after practice. "Promise to make it a speedy recovery."

Gator Bowl
to allow cowbells

Just like in 2011 when the Bulldogs played in the Gator Bowl, Bulldog fans will be allowed to ring cowbells.

The Bulldogs (8-4) are set to face off against No. 21 (Associated Press) Northwestern (9-3) in Jacksonville on Jan. 1, 2013.

Just like in regular season home games, MSU officials are urging fans to ring responsible inside EverBank Field.