Nick Fitzgerald’s Mississippi State football legacy is complicated

The Nick Fitzgerald era of Mississippi State football is officially over. Fitzgerald is one of the most heavily criticized quarterbacks in Bulldog history while also being one of the most successful.

Nick Fitzgerald’s legacy as the starting quarterback in Starkville, Mississippi is complicated. After the Outback Bowl wrapped up in disappointing fashion yesterday, many were quick to point out Fitzgerald’s struggles passing and quick to blame him for the Mississippi State football team’s shortcomings.

It’s really been that way all year. To an extent, Mississippi State fans have done that with Fitz throughout his career.

But, for some reason, there’s very little acknowledgement for just how much Fitzgerald has accomplished during his time as Mississippi State’s starting quarterback. Despite his struggles, he is by far one of the best to ever wear Maroon and White.

In program history, Nick Fitzgerald has the second most completed passes, the third most passing yards, the second most passing touchdowns, the most rushing touchdowns, and the second most rushing yards. There’s also the fact that he scored 101 total touchdowns in his career, second most in program history.

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His name is all over the Mississippi State football record book.

Oh, and he’s essentially the sole reason the 2016 season even had something for Bulldog fans to brag about. Without Fitz in 2016, the Mississippi State football team realistically would not have won five games during the regular season or a bowl that year.

There’s no denying that Nick Fitzgerald is flawed as a quarterback. He’s never had a high completion percentage and he’s struggled to be a reliable passer. He couldn’t even break 2000 passing yards in either of his final two seasons on campus.

But none of that should take away from everything that Fitzgerald has done for Mississippi State and its football program.

He may have been more effective in Dan Mullen’s offense and things didn’t seem all that spectacular during his senior season, but Fitzgerald has gone through quite a bit for the Maroon and White. Not every Mississippi State football fan will adore and be grateful for what Fitz has done in Starkville and it, unfortunately, kinda makes sense when given greater context.

Fitzgerald followed up the single greatest quarterback in Mississippi State history. He was named the starter to follow after Dak Prescott, arguably the best player to ever touch Scott Field for the Bulldogs.

Those are big shoes to fill.

With that shadow that Fitz had to play in, it was easy for fans to overlook just how good Fitzgerald has been. He certainly could have been better in some regards, but Nick Fitzgerald accomplished plenty in Starkville. Unfortunately, his legacy will always be complicated.