Mississippi State has a five-star freshman defensive end named Jeffery Simmons. He’s very talented, having picked the Bulldogs over Alabama and a host of other national powers last National Signing Day.
Mississippi State suspended its 5-star lineman for only 1 cupcake game. It lost that game.
This isn’t what the Bulldogs had in mind.
Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
When a video emerged during the offseason of Simmons repeatedly punching a woman, Mullen suspended him for exactly one game --€” Week 1’s matchup against Sun Belt foe South Alabama. One cupcake game, and that was it. This was pretty embarrassing.
When Mullen fielded questions about Simmons’ suspension at the SEC’s media days, he didn’t help things, claiming he “wasn’t involved as much” in determining what consequences Simmons would face. OK then.
That brings us to Saturday.
South Alabama went to Starkville on Saturday, and something funny happened: The Jaguars won. They hung around in the Mississippi heat all afternoon, and quarterback Dallas Davis marched the Jaguars 71 yards in nine plays, culminating with a touchdown strike to receiver Gerald Everett with a minute left to play.
The Bulldogs got the ball back with a chance to win, but a game-winning 28-yard field goal try from kicker Westin Graves didn’t go through, clanking off the left upright. The final score was 21-20 in the Jaguars’ favor.
So Simmons presumably will make his college debut for an 0-1 team against South Carolina next weekend.
Mississippi State aimed to punish its star player in a way that wouldn’t hurt itself in the win column. Well, about that.
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