Cowbell Corner

Bulldog Roundup: Latest injury news for 122nd Battle for the Golden Egg

Your daily briefing on what's going on with Mississippi State Athletics.
Taylor Hodges|
Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Davon Booth (6) runs the ball during the second quarter against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field.
Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Davon Booth (6) runs the ball during the second quarter against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

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Mississippi State Bulldogs

Mississippi State football didn’t have any changes to its latest availability report, but No. 7 Ole Miss did.

Wednesday’s Student-Athlete Availability Report still lists the Bulldogs’ safety Isaac Smith as questionable and running back Davon Booth will sit out the first half for disciplinary reasons.

The Rebels, meanwhile, have spread its three players to each category. Linebacker Raymond Collins is doubtful for the Egg Bowl, cornerback Antonio Kite is questionable and wide receiver Caleb Cunningham is probable.

Booth and Smith remain the biggest names on the availability reports. Smith is one of Mississippi State’s best defensive players and is fourth on the team with 51 tackles and an interception.

Smith missed the last game at Missouri due to an ankle injury he reaggravated against Georgia, but is trending towards being available for the Egg Bowl.

Having Smith available will be big for the Bulldogs’ as they’re facing a second-straight Doak Walker Award finalist in Ole Miss’s Kewan Lacy.

“They've played with really good balance. Their run game right now is as good as it's been all year long,” Mississippi State coach Jeff Lebby said. “The back is a guy that can create a ton of explosives, great top end speed. 

“When we get into one on one situations, we've got to find ways to get guys on the ground. We got to get 11 hats to the football. And that for us is going to be where it starts from a tackling standpoint. It's going to be a huge piece of it Friday morning.”

Booth’s absence can be mitigated by Fluff Bothwell, who’s had some of his own injury woes.

“I think today (Bothwell) feels the best he's felt in a long time,” Mississippi State coach Jeff Lebby said. “I think last week was huge for him, again, to be able to take just a few days off after he was banged up again coming out of the game against Missouri. So, he does, he feels good, had a really good day today. He'll be a huge part of it for us on Friday.”

It’s also worth noting that Lebby is sitting Booth, the Bulldogs’ second leading rusher by just 13 yards, in what’s now the biggest game of the season for them.

Yesterday’s Results

  • No games played.

Today’s Schedule

  • No games scheduled.

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Taylor Hodges
TAYLOR HODGES

Award-winning sports editor, writer, columnist, and photographer with 15 years’ experience offering his opinion and insight about the sports world in Mississippi and Texas, but he was taken to Razorback pep rallies at Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth before he could walk. Taylor has covered all levels of sports, from small high schools in the Mississippi Delta to NFL games. Follow Taylor on Twitter and Facebook.

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