Report: Mississippi State QB out for game at Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE — Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers will not play for the Bulldogs on Saturday at Arkansas, according to a report. 

Citing sources, ESPN’s Chris Low reported Mississippi State will start Mike Wright in place of Rogers, who injured his shoulder two weeks ago during a 41-28 victory over Western Michigan. It will snap a streak of 38 consecutive starts for Rogers, the SEC’s all-time completions leader. 

Wright transferred to Mississippi State from Vanderbilt following the 2022 season. He played in 26 games and made 11 starts during his time at Vanderbilt, where he passed for 2,067 yards and 21 touchdowns, and rushed for 905 yards and 7 touchdowns. 

A dual-threat quarterback from Fayetteville, Ga., Wright was recruited by the Razorbacks under former head coach Chad Morris. 

Wright has appeared in every game this season. He is 8-of-11 passing for 161 yards, and his 138 rushing yards are the Bulldogs’ second most. He has accounted for 4 touchdowns — 3 rushing and 1 passing. 

“Every time his number has been called, he’s answered the call,” Mississippi State coach Zach Arnett said of Wright earlier this week. “He’s provided a spark for our offense.”

Wright completed 7 of 10 passes for 57 yards and rushed for 24 yards, including a 3-yard touchdown, in 32 snaps against Western Michigan.

“He’s a great team guy,” Arnett said. “He’s tough, physical and ready to do whatever he needs to do to help the team, no matter the role.”

Low reported the Bulldogs expect to return at least five injured players for the Arkansas game following an off week. He also reported there is optimism Mississippi State’s leading rusher, Jo’Quavious Marks, will be available after he left the Western Michigan game with an injury.

Rogers has recorded a pair of 400-yard games against the Razorbacks. He led Mississippi State down the field quickly for a game-tying field goal attempt that was no good as time expired during Arkansas’ 31-28 win in Fayetteville in 2021, and helped the Bulldogs to a 40-17 victory over the Razorbacks last year in Starkville, Miss. 

It marks the second consecutive season the visiting team’s veteran starting quarterback will miss the Arkansas-Mississippi State game. KJ Jefferson did not play for the Razorbacks in Starkville last year due to an apparent concussion protocol. 

Rogers has passed for 11,964 yards and 92 touchdowns during his career, but his passing totals have been down this season in a new offense. Rogers ran the Air Raid offense for two years under former coach Mike Leach, who died last December. 

Saturday will be the second time in four weeks the Razorbacks will play a team starting its back-up quarterback. Max Johnson took over for Texas A&M after a season-ending injury to Conner Weigman the week before the Aggies defeated Arkansas 34-22 in Arlington, Texas, on Sept. 30. 

Like Wright, Johnson had past SEC starting experience after transferring from LSU. 

Bob Holt contributed