STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football defensive back Hunter Washington says he and his defensive teammates coined a phrase brought in by coaches in the offseason: Chew the elephant.

The statement is described as taking one bite at a time — in this case, on the field.

“Just taking it one day at a time,” he said. “Just focus on one part and build it as as we go.”

MSU and Washington are abiding by that expression as the Bulldogs approach their season opener at home Aug. 31 (5 p.m. CT, SEC Network+) against Eastern Kentucky.

Last season, MSU ranked sixth in total defense in the SEC, averaging 350.58 yards and 35 touchdowns allowed per game.

MSU defensive backs see solid secondary

Washington had a sense of realization after the Bulldogs finished the 2023 season 5-7 and missed a bowl game for the first time since 2009. He took a step back and understood his role in the secondary: focusing on the team more than himself.

“To help my team to a higher standard and pushing my teammates to the next level,” he said. “I’m here to help people out and also focus on me, but I put the team before me.”

Washington is entering his third season at MSU and has nine tackles in 14 games combined — he was injured the second half of last season — after transferring from Florida State in 2021.

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With transfers and newcomers, he has lauded the improvement in the secondary from the spring.

“I like to praise the young guys because it was hard when you first get to college and stuff like that,” he said. “But they really took a step forward, coming up to this fall camp. So I’m really proud of them.

“All (the defensive backs) been better. We’ve been coming in as one group, and our goal is to go to the best.”

Washington said that across the line, having a strong receivers core helps them during practice, and the defensive backs are taking advantage of that.

“It makes us better,” he said. “Going against speed receivers or tight ends, we got all types of threats. I like the offense as well.”

Linebacker core aims to replicate last season’s success

The duo of Nathaniel Watson and Jett Johnson was MSU’s main highlight last fall. Watson — who had a career 137 tackles and was named first-team All-SEC last season — was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in April in the sixth round. Jett Johnson, who had a career 130 tackles, was named second-team All-SEC and has worked out for the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent.

But linebackers Stone Blanton and John Lewis know they’re at the helm of the defense this fall.

“Our defense is young, but we have a lot of experience in there, with a lot of new guys coming in with a lot of talent,” said Blanton, who transferred from South Carolina and had 52 tackles. “The linebacker room is full of talent . . . We got ballers in there, so I’m just super excited to play this season.” 

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Lewis, who recorded 20 tackles last season, is expecting a defense that has a lot of energy from defensive coordinator Coleman Hutzler, but no one is more enthusiastic than Blanton.

“He’d be loud every day,” Lewis said. “So if I need somebody to count on to pick me up, it’ll be Stone.”

The two are the presumed starters at linebacker. Coach Jeff Lebby also has brought in junior college transfer Branden Jennings.

Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at mchavez@gannett.com or reach out to him on X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez.

JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Mississippians will soon enjoy high school football under the Friday night lights. With high temperatures in the forecast, top athletic officials want to make sure athletes are not at risk for any heat-related injuries.

The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature is what the Mississippi High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) uses to determine if it’s safe enough for football teams to practice outdoors. It’s formed by averaging the heat index, humidity and air temperature.

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Although football is a contact-driven sport, top athletic officials want to cut back on contact during the high temperatures.

“We limit full contact work, and that’s been done over the years. We have taken every step possible. We feel like they’re educating our coaches, our schools and our athletes through our Sports Medicine Advisory Committee and about what we put out in this office to ensure to parents that we are doing this as safe as possible,” explained Rickey Neaves, executive director of the MHSAA.

Football season for MHSAA kicks off on August 30, 2024.

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DAVENPORT, Iowa (KWQC) – T-Pain had to put his concert on hold to address the crowd after bottles were getting thrown towards the stage at the Mississippi Valley Fair Thursday night.

During the middle of the show T-Pain paused his performance to address the behavior.

“I’m not pissed or anything, but it’s only so much s***t I’m going to take,” T-Pain said. “I’m not a f*****g clown. I’m not gonna sit up here and get pies thrown in my face.”

The MVF now has signs at the east entrance of the pit saying “For the safety of our patrons and entertainers, no throwing of any objects will be allowed. Patrons caught throwing anything will be escorted off the premise by security.”

General Manager of the MVF, Shawn Loter says there might be new rules in the future for concert-goers.

“We’re gonna sit down after this year’s fair and really come up with a game plan to try to make because it’s a big safety concern,” Loter said. “You know, people don’t know you throw stuff up in the air, you know, and it comes down hits somebody’s head. So you get caught doing it, you know, I’m probably gonna press charges. I mean, you’re hitting somebody with a weapon so it’s gonna come down to it.”

Loter says this won’t affect big name artists from performing at the MVF in the future.

“It’s going to get to the point if it continues and it’s just not here, it’s across the board that has been happening,” Loter said. “The entertainer can just walk off the stage and the promoters or fairgrounds as they have to pay him no matter what. So you know, that’s, that’s it’s going to be a struggle. So it’s just just come into concert, have a good time.”

Loter says earlier this week an employee was scanning tickets and a group of people knocked her over and she was hospitalized. Loter says she’s fine now but they have beefed up security at the gates.

Copyright 2024 KWQC. All rights reserved.