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Croom comforted by physical play

By Ian R. Rapoport
irapopor@clarionledger.com

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State received a challenge last week. Coach Sylvester Croom implored them to come out hitting no matter what.

MSU lost 31-13 to Vanderbilt on Saturday, but Croom took solace in his team's aggressiveness, even with the game already decided.

"We hit extremely well," Croom said. "They played physical football. We didn't play smart all the time, but we played physical."

Linebacker Clarence McDougal laid out a Commodores receiver across the middle — a hit that was so hard, the receiver came over and congratulated McDougal. Safety Darren Williams had the loudest hit when he upended Brandon Smith in the end zone. Williams called it his best of the year. The Commodores didn't attack the middle of the field after that.

THE REWARD: Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson spoke afterward of a win being his long-struggling team's reward. It was Vanderbilt's first in 2004. The team celebrated like it.

But the Bulldogs are treading water as well. With that elusive second win that has evaded the team against Maine and Vanderbilt still out there, the only thing to do is to keep plugging.

"It's tough," Croom said. "You want to feel good. You want to be able to celebrate and have your family and friends smiling. But next week is another opportunity. If we don't keep fighting, nothing good is going to happen."

INJURY REPORT: Reserve OG Brian Anderson hurt his ankle against Vandy. The team is preparing to play without him. A reserve tackle — either James Cochran or Donovan Davis — will learn the guard position this week.

Guard Will Rogers had a bruised sternum, but Croom said he should be fine. Defensive end Willie Evans and fullback Darnell Jones each left with shoulder problems. The team will know more about each injury later in the week.