Keytaon Thompson finished with seven total touchdowns and did everything as Mississippi State football opened the season with a win over Stephen F. Austin.
Mississippi State won easily in a 63-6 win in Week 1. Joe Moorhead got his first win as head coach at Mississippi State. Moorhead was the offensive coordinator at Penn State prior to becoming the Bulldogs’ head coach.
In Week 1, Keytaon Thompson started in place of Nick Fitzgerald, who was suspended for just the opening game. This was just Thompson’s second start as a college quarterback. He finished with five passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns. He threw for 364 yards and rushed for 109 yards, which both led the team.
Thompson was a four-star recruit out of New Orleans, LA. He is a true sophomore and will likely be the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback in 2019 and 2020.
Fitzgerald should return next week as the starter in their game against Kansas State. He has been the starting quarterback the past two seasons for the Bulldogs and will likely continue to improve in his senior season.
Still, fans cannot help but remember Thompson’s do-it-all performance to start the season that can only bring excitement for the future of Mississippi State football. He is a very special player that could take this program to the next level.
In order to make it to the College Football Playoff, the Bulldogs have to make it through the likes of Auburn, Alabama, and Georgia in the SEC. That may not happen this season, but this relatively young team may be able to take some serious steps forward under the leadership of Moorhead.
Look for Thompson and running back Kylin Hill to be carrying this team into playoff contention by the 2020 season, which will be the senior season for both of them. They are a dynamic duo that can be dangerous in both the running and passing games.