Bulldogs refocus during bye week

October 20, 2011

By LEE ADAMS
sdnsports@bellsouth.net

After seven tough games, MIssissippi State has gotten a bye week.
MSU head coach Dan Mullen is utilizing this week to refocus his players and taking full advantage of the opportunity.
"We're using it as an opportunity to work on some fundamentals and get back to basics," said Mullen. "Continuing to get some of our young guys experience and reps as we move into the second half of the season."
The second half of the season will begin on Oct. 29 when the Bulldogs travel to Kentucky to battle the Wildcats. Once the bye week is complete, Mullen has a few things he wants to see improved.
"After the bye week,we plan to see some improvement on all of those fundamentals offensively, defensively and in the kicking team, to execute at a much higher and cleaner level," said Mullen.
The bye week has let a little of the controversy surrounding the quarterbacks die down, but it is still an issue whether Tyler Russell of Chris Relf will be the starter. However, Mullen says it will be a week to week decision.
"We are always putting the guy out there who we feel gives us the best opportunity to win football games," said Mullen. "It's our job as coaches to put our players in the best position to be successful on the field."
All of the quarterbacks get reps with the ones during practice as they have all season, and Mullen has a reason for doing that other than finding the right guy to start.
"You better have at least two guys ready during the week, or else you're going to get in trouble if somebody gets hurt on Saturday," said Mullen. "You have to get those guys prepared. Sometimes during the flow of the game, you go off of feel and sometimes you have plan."