Posted: 8:07 PM Apr 21, 2012
Reporter: Associated Press

STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) -- For Mississippi State, Saturday's
Maroon and White game was about building depth and excitement in a
program that has long lacked both.
Tyler Russell threw for 312 yards and two touchdowns to lead the
Maroon squad to a 33-22 victory over White, but that score wasn't
nearly as important to coach Dan Mullen as the opportunity to get
some of his younger players some minutes under pressure.
"We had a lot of young guys that have not been in this
particular situation," Mullen said. "It was important to play
them. The big part of this is to get them that game day live
experience without it being a real game. Being in front of a bigger
crowd is different, and they have to get used to it."
Mississippi State finished 7-6 (2-6 Southeastern Conference)
last season, Mullen's third, and won the Music City Bowl. In
Mullen's three seasons, the Bulldogs have won 21 games, including
two bowls and three wins over rival Ole Miss.
Mullen mentioned that stat in a halftime address to the crowd
and got a chorus of applause.
He has good reason to believe the excitement surrounding the
program will carry over into next season. MSU returns 13 starters
off last year's squad, including seven on defense.
"Guys are stepping up," defensive lineman Josh Boyd said. "We
are getting more depth."
Depth was a point of emphasis of Mullen this spring. He said
after the game that on previous squads he's had to worry about
backups being able to contribute in key situations.
"We're starting to get some depth around here," Mullen said.
"We're starting to get to the point where we've got guys that can
step on the field and roll through with the No. 1's and 2's."
Russell was 24-of-43 passing and is expected to be the Bulldogs
starter in the fall after splitting time with senior Chris Relf
last season.
"I was really comfortable back there today," Russell said. "I
feel comfortable about next season."
Russell's favorite target was sophomore Jameon Lewis, who caught
10 passes for 144 yards and a touchdown.
"He was getting open and making some plays, and that's what you
want. He has played in many games, and that's why we expect him to
make plays each game."
LaDarius Perkins led the Maroon team in rushing with 55 yards.
Dak Prescott finished 10-of-27 for 205 yards with two
interceptions and one touchdown as quarterback for the White team.
Josh Robinson had a game high 63 yards rushing for the White team,
55 of it on a long touchdown run in the first quarter.
Mississippi State opens their season at home versus Jackson
State on Sept. 1.

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