Mississippi State football entered Saturday's matchup with No. 5 Georgia hoping to pull off a big upset for a statement win at home and to achieve bowl-eligibility. The Bulldogs instead exited Scott Field with a 41-21 blowout loss, as practically nothing went right on either side of the ball.
Among the issues were multiple injuries. That includes starting quarterback Blake Shapen, who exited the game following State's opening drive of the second half. For the second-straight week, true freshman Kamario Taylor entered in relief of Shapen, and this time he led MSU's final four drives of the game.
Taylor showed the flashes that have Bulldog fans excited for his potential leading the offense. He led a pair of second-half TD drives, went 6-10 passing for 87 yards, led MSU with 53 rushing yards, and ran for three scores. Just like he did last week against Arkansas, he took full advantage of an opportunity in a big game.
Many fans have pushed the idea of handing the reigns over to Kamario Taylor full time. Could this have been the game that officially pushes Mississippi State into the future at QB?
Mississippi State fans want Kamario Taylor to start for the rest of the season
The buzz around Kamario Taylor is unlike any we've seen before for a freshman QB in Starkville, and it makes perfect sense. He's the nephew of former Bulldog QB Omarr Conner, played high school ball right down the road at Noxubee County, and is the highest-rated QB signee in program history. Before he'd ever worn the Maroon and White many believed he'd be the one to lead MSU to glory.
Add in that now every time he's seen the field since the spring game he's made his talent blatantly clear by delivering one highlight reel play after another and it's obvious why State fans want him starting. The pleas to start Taylor have only gotten louder throughout the year as Blake Shapen's play has been volatile.
Jeff Lebby has stuck by his veteran signal-caller in Shapen, however, believing he is ultimately still the QB that can best operate the offense for this team. But now going into the final two weeks of the season, the Bulldogs faithful are positive that it's time to embrace the future.
It’s Kamario time. Love Shapen. He’s a warrior. But the future is sitting right in front of our face.
— Brandon Walker (@BFW) November 8, 2025
Let’s go.
Freshman Kamario Taylor led the team in passing yards, rushing yards, and touchdowns.
— Dudy Noble Field (@DudyNobleField) November 8, 2025
Let him finish the year
This team needs to be Kamario Taylor’s for the rest of the season. There’s no point in keeping Shapen in there. Give him some experience and work out some stuff before he’s the starter next year.
— Jeff Le🅱️🅱️y’s 🅱️urner™️ (@Lebby_Burner) November 8, 2025
START KAMARIO
— Hail State Stool (@HailStateStool) November 8, 2025
There's no denying the spark that Kamario Taylor brings to the offense. His athleticism and play-making ability provides something State simply doesn't have when he's off the field. Over the last two games, he has led the Bulldog offense for seven total drives. They've found the endzone of four of those. In that same span, Blake Shapen has led 15 full drives. State has scored four TDs and one field goal in them. That stands out.
Game situation matters, and there are certainly things Shapen still does much better than Taylor at the moment, notably in the passing game. But what he does bring to the run game and in scrambles, while still having the arm talent to launch the ball downfield, clearly gives MSU a needed boost.
It's unclear whether or not Shapen will be good to go for the Bulldogs' remaining games, but even if he is, it may officially be time to make the change. There's certainly risk in that with Mississippi State hunting for a sixth win, but there could also be the reward of an offense good enough to get MSU that final win it's looking for. It would also be valuable experience for the player set to lead the program going forward. Kamario Taylor is the future, and there's no reason for the future to not start now.