Mississippi State football: Five things Bulldogs must do to win Outback Bowl

By Ethan Lee | Dec 31, 2018

OXFORD, MS - NOVEMBER 26: Nick Fitzgerald #7 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs runs the ball for a touchdown during a game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Oxford, Mississippi. The Bulldogs defeated the Rebels 55-20. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

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STARKVILLE, MS – NOVEMBER 17: Nick Fitzgerald #7 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs throws a pass in the first half of a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Davis Wade Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Get Nick Fitzgerald into a rhythm early

Nick Fitzgerald hasn’t been the most accurate passer in his career. He’s been known more as a runner than a passer, and that’s been the source of frustration for many Mississippi State football fans.

But that doesn’t mean that Fitzgerald has been bad.

In fact, throughout his career, Fitz has been one of the best in Mississippi State history. He’s scribbled his name throughout the Bulldogs’ record book and has thrown for 6055 yards and 54 touchdowns while running for 3504 yards and 45 touchdowns.

That’s a grand total of 9559 total yards and 99 touchdowns. That’s pretty good.

Mississippi State should do everything it can to get Fitzgerald into a rhythm early on in this game and allow him to freely operate the offense. Get Fitz going and let him take care of Iowa. The Hawkeyes have a pretty solid defense, so it’s important that MSU’s quarterback progress through this game at a natural pace rather than having to try and mount a comeback.

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