PREVIEW: A first look at the Bulldogs
Sylvester Croom
Editor
Posted Sep 27, 2006
Matt_Deville


The LSU Tigers and Mississippi State Bulldogs are set to meet in a Saturday morning clash at 11:30 in Tiger Stadium. LSU is fresh off a 49-7 thrashing of Tulane. Miss. State picked up their first win over the year last week defeating UAB 16-10 in overtime.

QUICK FACTS:

MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS

 

All-Time Series: LSU leads 63-33-3

 

Conference: SEC

 

Stadium: Scott Field (55,082)

 

First Meeting: 1896, LSU 52, Mississippi State 0

 

Last Meeting: 2005, LSU 37, Mississippi State 7

 

Head Coach: Sylvester Croom, 7-19, 3 years and overall

 

2005 in Review: 3-8, 1-7 SEC

 

Final ’05 Ranking: Not ranked

 

Off. / Def. Systems: Multiple Pro-Style / 4-3

 

Returning Starters: 19; 8 offense, 9 defense, kicker, punter

 

Last Bowl Appearance: 2000 Independence Bowl

 

Last Conference Championship: 1941

 

 

STATISTICAL LEADERS

 

Rushing: Anthony Dixon – 57 carries, 227 yards, 2TD

 

Passing: Omarr Conner – 48-29-1, 356 yards, 0 TD

 

Receiving: Lance Long – 12 catches, 84 yards, 0 TD

 

Tackles: Quinton Culberson – 36 TT (17S, 19A)

 

 

2006 SCHEDULE

 

Date                    Opponent                       ’05 Result

 

A-31                L, 15-0 S. Carolina          ---

 

S-9                  L, 34-0 Auburn               L, 28-0

 

S-16                L, 32-29 Tulane              W, 21-14

 

S-23                W, 16-10 at UAB            ---

 

S-30                at LSU                          L, 37-7

 

O-7                  West Virginia                 ---

 

O-14                Jacksonville State           ---

 

O-21                at Georgia                     L, 23-10

 

O-28                Kentucky                      L, 13-7

 

N-4                  at Alabama                   L, 17-0

 

N-18                Arkansas                       L, 44-10

 

N-25                at Ole Miss                    W, 35-14

 

 

Head to Head:

Miss. State DT vs. LSU C

DelJuan Robinson vs. Brett Helms

The Mississippi State defense is the best part of a not-so-good football team. The Bulldogs’ defensive front is anchored by 6-3, 296-pound defensive tackle DelJuan Robinson. Originally courted by LSU, the Hernando, Miss., lineman signed with Miss. State and has been a bright spot for Sylvester Croom’s defense. On the year, Robinson has 21 tackles, nine of which have gone for losses, and one sack.

 

Miss. State WR vs. LSU S

Omarr Connor vs. Craig Steltz

Omarr Connor is one of the most dangerous players in the SEC – as well as one of the most versatile. Connor does it all for the Bulldogs. Not only is he the team’s leading receiver with eight catches for 70 yards, Connor has thrown for 356 yards on 29-of-48 passing as well as accumulated 116 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns. Craig Steltz has had a nose for the ball lately and is always one to lay a big lick.

 

Player to Watch:

Quinton Culberson

LB, Senior, 6-0, 242

Provine HS - Jackson, Miss.

 

Why is it important to stop him?

Quinton Culberson is one of the best defensive players in the SEC. A former safety, Culberson moved to linebacker and has flourished at the position. While the Bulldogs defensive numbers aren’t terrific, they would be much worse if Culberson wasn’t there.

 

Who has to stop him?

Culberson is going to be all over the place, trying to get to JaMarcus Russell in LSU’s offensive backfield. Look for LSU’s offensive line to double-up on Culberson, who is also a suffocating run blocker. Culberson is as good as they come; the problem is, there just isn’t a whole lot around him.



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