Sep 20, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Dak Prescott (15) passes against the LSU Tigers during the first half of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Quarterbacks
Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott became a folk hero in Starkville for his gutsy performance in the Egg Bowl on Thanksgiving Night 2013. Forced to miss action in the previous two games with a shoulder nerve injury, Prescott wasn’t expected to play at all in the bitter rivalry game against Ole Miss.
Betsided
However, with bowl eligibility on the line, the Haughton, Louisiana native came off the bench like Willis Reed in the fourth quarter and led the Bulldogs to a 17-10 victory in overtime. He completed 11 of 20 passes for 115 yards and carried the ball nine times, including a three-yard game-winning touchdown. The win meant State would go bowling for the fourth consecutive season, which had never been done before.
That night, ESPN’s Jesse Palmer fed the hype machine that burned all off-season when he called Prescott a 2014 Heisman Trophy contender. The former Florida quarterback was absolutely right, and Prescott has done his part so far this year.
After splitting time with incumbent yet oft-injured starter Tyler Russell last season, and missing time himself with injuries, Prescott finished with 1,940 passing yards, ten touchdowns and seven interceptions. He added 829 yards and 14 scores on the ground, which led the team.
Those numbers are nothing, however, compared to the pace the 6-foot-2, 235-pound signal caller has set so far this season.
In five games, and with plenty of time on the sidelines due to lopsided scores, Prescott as completed 78 of 122 passes (63.9%) for 1,232 yards, 13 touchdowns and has been intercepted twice. A playmaker with his feet, he has rushed 85 times for 455 yards and six touchdowns.
Because of his dual threat ability, the number 15 he wears, and because Dan Mullen coaches him, Prescott is often compared to Heisman winner and national champion Tim Tebow. He’s a tremendously talented player, a leader, and a strong human being who has already been forced to deal with the loss of his mother – who died during the 2013 season.
Dak Prescott is a folk hero in Starkville, and his legend is growing nationally. The Auburn defense will have their hands full with him on Saturday.