Mississippi State's Blake Shapen praises Kamario Taylor's performance in Bulldog win

Mississippi State picked up its first SEC win in over two years on Saturday, defeating Arkansas 38-25, but that win doesn't happen without the heroics of a freshman quarterback. On the first play of the second-half, with the Bulldogs down 13-7, starting QB Blake Shapen took a hard hit. A hard enough hit that officials stopped the action and forced him to leave the game for evaluation

In stepped Kamario Taylor. The true freshman has seen action this season in specific packages, but this would be his first time fully leading the offense in a big game. It was a moment he was clearly ready for.

On just his third snap of the game, Taylor would deliver a 45-yard strike to WR Anthony Evans III for a go-ahead TD. And he wasn't done there. With Shapen still in concussion protocol, Taylor would get the next two series as well. He capped off his third drive turning a busted play into a 20-yard TD run, showing off athleticism that made him such a high-profile recruit.

Once cleared, Jeff Lebby would ultimately turn the reigns back over to Shapen, a decision that paid off. Shapen engineered a fourth quarter comeback, leading the Bulldogs to 17-straight points to earn the desperately-needed conference win.

Shapen's performance late in the game ultimately earned him a game ball from Jeff Lebby. But Shapen made sure that Kamario Taylor got recognized for his role in the win

"After the game I get one of the game balls, and I go over to (Taylor) and I was like "this is your game ball right here because of the way you came in and did your job.""

Blake Shapen

It was an act of high-level leadership from Shapen, who praised Kamario Taylor after the game, telling media that the Bulldogs would not have been in the game with the Razorbacks if not for his effort.

"I'm so proud of him. We wouldn't have been in the situation tonight without him and the playmaker that he is. We've known it all along how talented he is."

Shapen

And it was more than just keeping things afloat while the starter was on the sidelines. Mississippi State's offense had struggled throughout the first half, putting just seven points on the board against a bad defense. Shapen noted that it was Taylor's play that got the Bulldog offense rolling.

"In that situation, we were struggling. He came in, and he was able to kind of give us a spark...We wouldn't have been able to be in that game without him."

Shapen

Bulldogs coach Jeff Lebby also spoke highly of his freshman QB in the postgame. Lebby said it was huge for Kamario Taylor's development to get those reps and that his performance was indicative of the work he's put in this season.

"Being able to get inside of a huge game and being inside some big moments and go do what he was able to do speaks to him as he's continued to prepare the right way. Hasn't talked about worrying about an opportunity. Just what he's gonna do with it when he gets it. Proud of him and how he's handled it."

Jeff Lebby

It's clear the Bulldogs have a special talent on their hands in Kamario Taylor. This is still Blake Shapen's team, but the future is bright for when Taylor takes over. Saturday was just a taste of what's to come.