WATCH: Mississippi State noseguard Nathan Pickering prepping for another SEC road challenge
Entering his final season at Mississippi State, senior noseguard Nathan Pickering was focused on having his best season in the Maroon and White. So far, the Magnolia State native has done just that.
Pickering has routinely disrupted opposing backfields this season and has totaled 28 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks and three quarterback hurries. Following practice earlier this week, Pickering talked about the next challenge ahead and his increased production this season:
Q: You guys have had some success going on the road to Arkansas. What is it like going over there to play?
Pickering: We are just getting our minds ready for a road game. It’s 11 a.m. against a good SEC opponent, knowing you have to start fast. You got to wake up, get our minds right and get ready to go to war.
Q: How much of that carries over to this week going to Auburn?
Pickering: Absolutely, just a different team. Still got to have that same mindset, just go out there and be dogs and come out there and be ready to play.
Q: You are clearly playing at a higher level this year. What’s different for you this season?
Pickering: Just having that leadership mindset, knowing I’ve got four, five or six other freshmen watching me. Just having that ‘mamba’ mentality, having that dog mentality to go out there every day and just work.
Q: How much has defensive line coach David Turner had to do with that?
Pickering: Extremely a big part. I really thank God that he is here. He has helped me in a lot of ways. So I am thankful that he is here.
Q: Two straight wins over Auburn. What’s it’s like to play at Auburn?
Pickering: It’s great. They have a great atmosphere to go over there and play Auburn. It is another team for us, another SEC team. We just got to attack them like we did before.
Q: You and Jaden Crumedy have been playing together for a long time now. How much does that help knowing what he is capable of?
Pickering: It’s a lot. It’s a difference if I have him or have some freshman or something. It’s just our communication. I feel like we are always on the same level. If I look at him he knows what it means. If he looks at me I know what it means. So it’s just that communication level that we have.
Q: How did it feel Saturday at Arkansas to see the whole defense flying around making plays?
Pickering: It feels great, especially the stuff that we worked all camp and all season. All 11 defenders to the ball. It’s great to see that on film.
Q: Against Arkansas it wasn’t just the linebackers and linemen getting to the quarterback. The defensive backs also got involved. How was that feeling?
Pickering: It’s fun. It’s fun just to see three positions on that side of the ball making plays. You got safeties coming down making tackles, linebackers blitzing. That’s great football to watch.
Q: Your thoughts on Bookie Watson getting SEC player of the week?
Pickering: It’s been too long. If it was up to me he would get it every week. He’s a dog. He shows up at practice and works. He is just a guy you want behind you playing linebacker calling all the plays.
Q: You mentioned the defensive backs blitzing. When you have your hand on the ground in those calls, what is that moment of anticipation like for you?
Pickering: It is definitely a different mindset because you know you got another guy depending on you to do your job 100 percent. You know that you got to get off the rock as fast as you can to execute the play call.
