STARKVILLE, Miss. — Mississippi State returns home to Starkville on Saturday seeking a homecoming rebound against Vanderbilt, but the Bulldogs still have not settled who will take the first snap under center.
Coach Jeff Lebby has not locked in a starter after AJ Swann spent the second half against Texas wearing a sling on his throwing arm. Practice snaps have been shared among Swann, former walk-on Billy Puckett, transfer Jaden Rashada and freshman Brodie McWhorter while the staff decides who is ready for kickoff.
A win Saturday would end a four-game losing stretch for the Bulldogs in front of a homecoming crowd at Davis Wade Stadium. Vanderbilt is still looking for its first Southeastern Conference victory and comes in short-handed on defense and in the backfield.
On the Commodores availability sheet, coach Clark Lea said linebacker Josiah Broxton is done for the year after tearing his ACL, while running back Evan Hampton is sidelined with a broken leg suffered against Kentucky. Both are listed out for the Nov. 7 kickoff at 3:15 p.m. at Davis-Wade Stadium.
On defense, Vanderbilt has Jaylin Lackey and Jamison Curtis listed as likely to play after long injury layoffs. Lackey has yet to see the field this fall, while Curtis has suited up just once, back in week one. Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor is already ruled out for the year after foot surgery, which is why Swann had been lined up to start again if healthy enough.
Swann opened a dozen games for Vanderbilt during his first two seasons in Nashville before the sides split. Lea, who recruited him there, said this week he hopes Swann is healthy for the rematch. True freshman Jared Curtis has been carrying the Vanderbilt passing game and tops the SEC with eight interceptions, giving Mississippi State chances to force mistakes if the Commodores lean on the air attack again.
Lebby has called the recent injury stretch unlike anything he has managed as a head coach. Holding Vanderbilt under 75 rushing yards and winning by a comfortable margin are the early talking points around a Starkville homecoming that finally offers the Bulldogs a path to stop the skid.
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