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Initial Availability Report released for Mississippi State-Missouri

3rupauk8_400x400by: Robbie Faulk10 hours agoRobbieFaulkOn3
Mississippi State QB Blake Shapen (Photo by Jared Thomas, Maroon and White Daily)
Mississippi State QB Blake Shapen (Photo by Jared Thomas, Maroon and White Daily)

Ahead of a critical final two games of the regular season, Mississippi State has one of its most anticipated Availability Reports of the season.

After starting quarterback Blake Shapen went down hard after a sack attempt in the third quarter of the game against Georgia last week, the senior exited the ball game and did not return. Shapen’s availability was in question at Monday’s press conference by Jeff Lebby, but the QB could be trending towards playing.

The Availability Report noted that Shapen is probable for Saturday’s matchup against Missouri alongside starting right tackle Albert Reese. Shapen hasn’t missed a game this season as the starting signal caller for the Bulldogs but Reese has been out for each of the last two games with an undisclosed injury.

Out for the game on Saturday will be safety Isaac Smith as the defensive leader went out of the game against UGA with a lower leg injury and did not return. He is out with previous injuries like CB Jett Jefferson, C Brennan Smith, OT Blake Steen and DL Will Whitson.

Shapen is currently completing 65% of his passes and has 2,234 yards this season with 15 touchdowns and a career-high six interceptions. Lebby said on Monday that Shapen would have to be “truly healthy” to play on Saturday. Otherwise, the game could be in freshman Kamario Taylor’s hands.

“I got great confidence in Kamario,” Lebby said on Monday. “We got to make all the layups and play inside the scheme, inside the system. No. 1 made some great plays for us. He wants a lot of things back, which I knew that he would as he watched the tape. There is going to be great growth for him through playing. That’s the reality of it over these last couple of weeks. Then being able to watch the tape and being able to learn from things. But from a confidence standpoint, I do have great confidence in him.”

As for Reese, his return would be big for a State team that has struggled to run the football without him in the game. Smith’s absence is a big loss for the Bulldog defense as he has 51 tackles this year with seven pass deflections, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, one interception, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Missouri will be without DE Langden Kitchen, K Blake Craig and QB Sam Horn with TE Brett Norfleet questionable for the game and starting QB Beau Pribula doubtful.

The two teams will converge in Columbia, Mo., on Saturday night at 6:45 p.m. on SEC Network.

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