Report: Mississippi State to play Georgia with less than 53 scholarship players

According to a report from Al.com’s Matt Zenitz, Mississippi State will have players unavailable vs. UGA Saturday night due to COVID-19.

According to a report from Al.com’s Matt Zenitz, Mississippi State will have more players unavailable for Saturday night’s game vs. Georgia after its latest round of COVID testing.

Mississippi State coach Mike Leach brought in an entirely new coaching staff and program-changing offensive system when he came over from Washington State early this year.

Since then, 17 players have either opted-out of the 2020 season or have transferred from the program altogether, causing a glaring lack of depth during a time where every scholarship player is important.

Just this week, the COVID-19 virus has impacted 16 games in college football and it seems that at any moment games can be postponed or cancelled.

Mississippi State will roll into Athens with less than 53 scholarship players, more than 30 scholarships less than the 85 mark set for Division I schools.

On the other side, Georgia has been fortunate to not miss time due to any outbreaks but let’s hope tests continue to come back negative and this game can be played.


Make sure you’re caught up on Georgia Football before the game! I breakdown everything you need to know before the Dawgs take on Mississippi State in this week’s episode of the UGA Football Live with J.C. Shelton podcast, featuring special guest, former UGA All-American punter Drew Butler. Listen here:

 

Report: JT Daniels to start Saturday vs. Mississippi State

According to a report from Matt Zenitz, USC transfer quarterback J.T. Daniels is set to get his first start for Georgia on Saturday night.

According to a Wednesday night report from Matt Zenitz of Al.com, USC transfer quarterback J.T. Daniels is set to get his first start for Georgia on Saturday night, taking over for junior Stetson Bennett, who has been battling a shoulder injury.

Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart told reporters in his Mississippi State press conference on Wednesday that all quarterbacks have been competing during Georgia’s extra week-off after last week’s game vs. Missouri was postponed due to COVID-19 inside the Tigers’ program.

Either Bennett or redshirt freshman D’Wan Mathis have played every snap at signal caller this year, making Saturday not only Daniels’ first start, but also his first ever snaps as a Georgia Bulldog.

As a freshman at USC in 2018, Daniels threw for 2,672 yards with 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He entered the transfer portal in mid-April after his sophomore season was derailed by a knee injury. USC’s Kedon Slovis stepped in while Daniels was down and played well for the Trojans, making the transfer portal one of the only options for Daniels.

Since his arrival in Athens, Daniels has nursed his previously injured knee, taking snaps as scout team quarterback and taking some first team reps, but his mobility has kept him from seeing the field, until now.

“His mobility is getting better,” Smart said in his Wednesday press conference.

It will be fascinating to see what Daniels can do with limited reps, he will be facing a subpar Mississippi State defense rated at No. 35 in the country, so I expect to see his experience and throwing ability shine Saturday night.

Make sure you’re caught up on Georgia Football before the game! I breakdown everything you need to know before the Dawgs take on Mississippi State in this week’s episode of the UGA Football Live with J.C. Shelton podcast, featuring special guest, former UGA All-American punter Drew Butler. Listen here: