Mississippi State Says It Will Know More on Kamario Taylor in 48 Hours as the Texas Trip Looms
Bulldogs coach Jeff Lebby gave no definitive update Monday on his star quarterback, who reaggravated an injury against Oklahoma — and said the backups will compete for the start if Taylor cannot go in Austin.
Texas still does not know which Mississippi State quarterback it will face on Halloween — and neither, publicly, does Mississippi State. Head coach Jeff Lebby offered no definitive update on star quarterback Kamario Taylor at his Monday news conference, the Clarion Ledger reported.
"We're still in the process of looking at everything," Lebby said. "He is doing good. His spirits are good, but as we continue to move forward, I think we'll know a lot more here in the next 48 hours."
Taylor reaggravated his injury in the first quarter of Saturday's 23-15 loss to Oklahoma, exiting after a scramble on a failed fourth-down attempt, and watched the rest of the game from the sideline with a boot on his right foot. He had missed the previous game at LSU. Mississippi State has not specified the injury beyond the reaggravation. Taylor's season line underlines what is at stake: 65.4 percent completions, 1,460 passing yards, 17 touchdowns against four interceptions, and 147 rushing yards.
If Taylor cannot play, former walk-on Billy Puckett and Appalachian State transfer AJ Swann will compete for the starting reps, Lebby said. Puckett, who started the LSU game, completed 17 of 24 passes for 158 yards and a touchdown against Oklahoma, with one interception, 37 rushing yards and a lost fumble. Swann has not played this season.
Lebby also announced that starting linebacker Jalen Smith is out for the season after surgery for an injury suffered in the October 3 game against Alabama; Smith had 28 tackles, and Fatt Forrest has started the last two games in his place. No. 11 Texas (5-2) hosts the Bulldogs (4-3, 2-3 SEC) on Saturday, October 31, at 6:30 p.m. at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium.
