Fluff Bothwell rounding back into form after scary midseason injury

October 4 was an evening that Fluff Bothwell would love to forget but it still plays in his mind.

In the waning minutes of Mississippi State’s 31-9 loss at No. 3 Texas A&M, Bothwell took a dump off pass from Blake Shapen and was hit in the backfield for a loss. Suddenly, a pain shot through his lower body and he couldn’t stand up. For a time, Bothwell felt like his potential breakout season was coming to an end halfway through the year.

The Bulldog medical team came out to the field followed by the coaching staffs of both squads. A cart was going to take him to the locker room. Just a couple of days later, the news came back more positive. He would ultimately miss two ball games, but Bothwell’s season was spared.

“Right now, I feel good. It’s still day-to-day, but just knowing regardless how I feel that I know I want to play and do my best to help our team win is a good part of what I’m doing,” Bothwell said. “When I was down, I couldn’t get up at all and it shocked me. I didn’t know what it was, but being back and helping the team win is just great.”

Bothwell getting back on track

Bothwell is still working back to where he was pre-injury, but just getting on the field again is a blessing. Prior to the A&M game, he was taking off in Jeff Lebby’s offense. Bothwell started seeing his production rise against Alcorn State when he rushed 12 times for 93 yards and two touchdowns. He had back-to-back 100-yard performances including 23 carries for 134 and two scores against Tennessee.

State’s running back room continues to be one of the most talented on the roster. Along with senior Davon Booth, Bothwell shares the room with talented young backs like Seth Davis, Xavier Gayten and Kolin Wilson and the group has formed a brotherhood.

“Sometimes we’ll go eat at the Academic Center,” Bothwell said. “We’ll go support the other teams like watching basketball games and soccer games. The running back room is pretty tight.”  

It’s not just the running backs that have a connection, but the entire offense has bonded over the last year. Bothwell has built a strong connection with Shapen and his whole unit and it’s why there will be no blinking if the senior Shapen can’t go on Saturday at Missouri.

After taking a massive hit to the ribs against Georgia last week, Shapen exited the game and freshman Kamario Taylor entered. Taylor had some big moments in that game, including three touchdowns, and could be in line to start for the first time this Saturday night against the Tigers in Columbia, Mo. (6:45 p.m., SEC Network).

No matter who takes the snaps, Bothwell is prepared. But he also has complete faith in Taylor to get the job done.

“The offense is going regardless of who is back there. It’s just up to coach whatever happens. I have great trust in anybody on our team and what they do,” Bothwell said. “Regardless of freshman or not, I feel like anybody on the team can go out there and execute. Kamario is not just a regular freshman. To me, he’s more experienced than most people think and people are starting to see it.”

Lining up at running back on the other side of the field will be a familiar face to Bothwell.

Missouri’s Ahmad Hardy had a very similar journey to the SEC as Bothwell as both had huge seasons inside the Sun Belt last year. A native of Mississippi, Hardy played ball at Louisiana Monroe a season ago as a freshman and had 1,351 yards and 13 touchdowns. He’s transitioned seamlessly to the SEC and has 1,046 already this year with 12 scores as the SEC’s leading rusher.

Bothwell and Hardy have both gotten out of the mud as lightly recruited players that transitioned from the Group of 6 conference to the biggest stage and they’re both flourishing.

“I played against him last year. He’s a tough running back that’s pretty hard to bring down,” Bothwell said. “He’s a hard runner and is doing it big coming from the Sun Belt and becoming the leading rusher in the SEC. I don’t talk to him too often but sometimes I text him. It’s awesome seeing him and hearing his story not too long ago. Seeing where he’s at now to help his mom is awesome.”

It’s been a solid first year for Bothwell as well with 105 carries, 534 yards and a team-high nine touchdowns. He didn’t let two missed ball games keep him down and he’s closing in on being right back at 100%.

This weekend, Bothwell will count it as another chance to play the game he loves. He never takes those opportunities for granted.

“I just want to go out there and play, have fun and do it at the best of my ability,” Bothwell said. “Being out there with my brothers is fun – win or lose. It just feels great to be out there.”