Skip to main content
Mississippi State

Jeff Lebby updates Fluff Bothwell injury

3rupauk8_400x400by: Robbie Faulk10/07/25RobbieFaulkOn3
fluf bothwellf9
Mississippi State RB Fluff Bothwell

Just a few days after many Mississippi State fans thought the worst on running back Fluff Bothwell, news has been much more encouraging at the start of the week.

Sources indicated to Maroon and White Daily on Monday morning that Bothwell’s late-fourth quarter injury at Texas A&M was not season ending. Coach Jeff Lebby confirmed it at his Tuesday media availability.

“We got good news back on Fluff,” Lebby said. “As we move forward, there’s not this hard timeline right now, but all the pictures came back and they were positive. We feel really good about that. That’s going to be a day-to-day deal, but really fortunate that the images came back like they did.”

It’s tremendous news for the Bulldogs just days after Bothwell was carted off the field in a 31-9 loss to Texas A&M. A check down pass and immediate tackle led Bothwell to the ground in pain and the training staff attended to him on the field for several minutes before a cart came to pick him up.

Many fans criticized Lebby’s decision to have Bothwell in the game under 4 minutes with the team trailing by three touchdowns. The coach reemphasized that his team was trying to stay in and win the ball game.

“We’re trying to go finish the game the right way. You get minimal opportunities to go play this game, and we’re trying to go finish the game the right way,” Lebby said. “We’re still, as a program incredibly green and incredibly young. It’s still about how we do what we do, and finishing is going to be a huge emphasis. Playing in the fourth quarter and winning in the fourth quarter is a real thing in this league.”

At this stage of the season, Bothwell is currently second in the SEC in rushing. The South Alabama transfer has 84 carries for 465 yards and six touchdowns so far, a year after leading the Sun Belt with 13 and he had 834 yards on the ground with the Jaguars as a true freshman.

While Bothwell’s return timetable is unknown, the Bulldogs do have the luxury of having depth and talent in that room. Last year’s leading rusher is still in the fold with Davon Booth carrying 59 times for 266 yards and four touchdowns so far this year. The Bulldogs have also seen some good things in limited time from sophomore Xavier Gayten who recently passed Johnnie Daniels for third in reps.

Gayten has eight carries but for 95 yards and two touchdowns. Behind him will be Seth Davis and freshman Kolin Wilson.

“We feel good about that room. We’ve talked about the depth in that room. We’re going to need some guys to step up, obviously,” Lebby said. “The stress and the strain becomes a little bit more on teams as (Gayten) gets to make more of an impact at running back. There’s some shuffling going on there where we’re going to need guys to step up and know their role.”

In addition to the injury updates from Lebby he said that the goal is to have LB Isaac Smith and OL Albert Reese to return to action against Florida. Both are sitting out of practice this week to continue to heal after missing the A&M game.

You may also like