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Jeff Lebby updates health of Blake Shapen ahead of Missouri game

3rupauk8_400x400by: Robbie Faulk10 hours agoRobbieFaulkOn3
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Mississippi State QB Kamario Taylor (Photo by Nelson Chenault, USA Today Sports)

Mississippi State has had an interesting debate developing over the last few weeks as freshman Kamario Taylor has begun to earn more reps for the Bulldogs.

On Monday, that debate will get louder as Blake Shapen appears to be questionable for State’s game on the road at Missouri on Saturday night (6:45 p.m., SEC Network). Head coach Jeff Lebby said at his Monday press conference that Shapen did not practice on Monday and will need to be fairly healthy by the end of the week to suit up and play against the Tigers.

“He did not do anything today so it will be evaluating him throughout the week,” Lebby said. “If he’s truly healthy, (Shapen will) start. It’s all about him being healthy. As we evaluate this thing as we move through, we’ll see where he’ll be.”

Taylor continues to flash

The reps for Taylor have come, mostly due to injuries to the starter Shapen. After the senior Shapen was checked for a concussion in the third quarter against Arkansas, Taylor led the Bulldogs to two touchdown drives in three possessions. Shapen came back in for the fourth quarter and threw an interception but followed that with 17 points in three drives to lead State to a 38-35 win in Fayetteville.

Against No. 5 Georgia last week, Shapen left the game in the third quarter again after taking a big hit. Taylor entered and delivered two more scoring drives and also had a 57-yard pass to Brenen Thompson in the process.

Taylor is coming off of his most productive game of his Bulldog career in that last game. The freshman from Macon was 6-of-10 passing for 87 yards and led the team with 12 carries for 53 yards and three touchdowns.

For Shapen, he has still had a solid senior season. He is completing 65% of his passes this year with 2,234 yards, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions. Sacks have been an issue for the quarterback, however, as he’s been dropped 32 times through 10 games.

On the season, Taylor is 11-of-19 for 174 yards and three touchdowns passing and has 34 carries for 200 yards and is third on the team with five touchdowns. His work on the ground has made him a major threat for opposing defenses.

“We have a lot of faith in Kamario,” safety Jahron Manning said. “He can beat teams with his legs, his arm and his decision making. If he is going to be starter this week, I think that will create a complex gameplan for the opposing team.”

Taylor and Lebby went back to work this week on film sessions this week as they continue to fine tune the talented quarterback’s game. Taylor hit some big plays in the run game and the pass game, but he also missed some shots deep and also some intermediate passes.

Lebby said those misses were actually not what he’s seen from the signal caller in practices. It’s part of him maturing and getting more experience in game situations. If it’s his team on Saturday, Lebby believes he will be ready.

“I’ve got great confidence in Kamario,” Lebby said. “We’ve got to make all the layups and play within the scheme and the system. 1 made some great plays for us. He wants a lot of things back and I knew that he would. There’s going to be great growth from him through playing, but from a confidence standpoint, I’ve got great confidence.”

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