Ole Miss Rebels vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs Week 13: Offensive Players to Watch
The Rebels wrap up the regular season on Thanksgiving Day against Mississippi State at Davis Wade Stadium. The Bulldogs are in a bit of disarray after the firing of first-year head coach Zach Arnett last week, while the team is mired in a 5-6 season with just one SEC win under its belt.
Arnett made the transition from defensive coordinator to head coach after the death of Mike Leach, but things never really clicked. Quarterback Will Rogers dealt with injuries all season, hampering the offense, and we never saw the aggressive and experienced defense.
Greg Knox took over as interim head coach - his second stint as such - and kept his perfect record intact after a 41-20 win over in-state rival Southern Miss on Saturday at Davis Wade Stadium. He went 1-0 in the role after Dan Mullen’s departure in 2017 and kept his winning percentage at 1.000 on Saturday.
Here are important offensive players to watch when the Rebels close the season against the Bulldogs on Nov. 23.
QB Will Rogers
Will Rogers
USA Today
Quarterback Will Rogers is the engine that makes Mississippi State's offense thrive. Under the tutelage of former head coach Mike Leach, Rogers was third in the country with 4,739 yards and 36 touchdowns in 2021, following that up with 3,974 yards and 35 scores in 2022. In both years, he led the country in completions with 920 across the last two seasons.
Rogers has played in just seven games - returning last week after a four-game absence. In 2023, he's completed 117 of 198 passes (59.1 percent) for 1,419 yards and 12 touchdowns to four interceptions.
RB Jo'Quavious Marks
Jo'Quavious Marks
USA Today
Marks carried the ball 113 times last season for 582 yards for a 5.2-yard per carry average while scoring nine touchdowns. He was also proficient through the air with 48 catches for another 288 yards. In 2023, Marks has been equally effective, with 534 yards on 109 carries with four touchdowns. He's also caught 19 passes for 153 yards and another two scores.
WR Lideatrick Griffin
Lideatrick Griffin
USA Today
Griffin was the leading returning receiver with 40 catches for 502 yards and four touchdowns in 2022. Now, as the featured receiver, he's improved those numbers. In 2023, the senior has caught 45 balls for 620 yards and four touchdowns.
