MSU’s Fitzgerald ready for senior season
STARKVILLE – If Nick Fitzgerald felt any guilt or remorse for getting suspended for Mississippi State’s season opener last week, he hid those emotions behind a pair of sunglasses during pre-game warmups.
The senior quarterback flung passes prior to MSU’s game against Stephen F. Austin in his No. 7 jersey, athletic shorts and those Ray Ban shades. If only Fitzgerald kept them on during his Tuesday night press conference when he was asked what he did to receive his suspension.
“I’m good, man,” he said sort of sheepishly.
Fitzgerald makes his senior season debut Saturday against Kansas State. It wasn’t long ago that he was considered a Heisman Trophy dark horse. It could’ve been Fitzgerald, not sophomore Keytaon Thompson, who accounted for seven touchdowns in a blowout victory over SFA.
But it wasn't. Instead, Fitzgerald spent the week as the scout team’s quarterback. He said he embraced that role because it allowed his defense to practice against a quarterback better than any of the ones the Lumberjacks would send onto the field.
Fitzgerald, though, still described the experience as “rough.” Once Saturday arrived, it all got easier. He was excited to sit back as a “fan” and watch his teammates succeed. According to MSU’s coaching staff, he acted more like a coach.
“Everything he’s done, he’s approached it like a pro,” offensive coordinator Luke Getsy said. “He really has. He’s hungry. You can see it. He spends a lot of time with it. The guys recognize that.”
Head coach Joe Moorhead said he saw Fitzgerald giving Thompson advice and encouragement on the sideline at every opportunity. Getsy said that started well before game day – Fitzgerald helped Thompson prepare throughout the week leading up to Saturday.
That inclination to always be ready is what allowed Fitzgerald to still be voted team captain after his violation of team rules occurred in March. Quarterbacks coach Andrew Breiner noticed some pep in Fitzgerald’s step Sunday. He texted Breiner the following afternoon asking him for this week’s game plan. To Fitzgerald’s dismay, it wasn’t ready yet.
“I’m getting to know his level of preparation is impressive,” Breiner said. “He wants all the information as quickly as he can.”
Fitzgerald has been preparing for this start for months. He hasn’t played a snap of competitive football since that fateful play in last year’s Egg Bowl. Instead of easing into action against an FCS opponent, Fitzgerald gets to face a Power 5 foe in a hostile environment.
Kansas State ranked 70th in total sacks a season ago, and the Wildcats managed to get to South Dakota’s quarterback only once in their season opener. But one hit is all it will take to remind Fitzgerald that he’s back in the saddle.
“I just know how sore I’m going to be the next day without my body having gone through contact yet,” Fitzgerald said.
On top of getting reintroduced to the physicality of the game, this is essentially Week 1 for Fitzgerald. He’ll probably have butterflies, and Getsy said it wouldn’t be right if he didn’t. This is the sport Fitzgerald loves, and he finally has the opportunity to showcase his ability in the national spotlight again.
“I doubt that it will be too big for Nick,” Getsy said. “He’s experienced a lot in his career. He’s a humble guy. He’s a focused guy. He’s just ready to rock and roll. He’s probably going to have his spikes laced up first before anybody else.”
Contact Tyler Horka at 769-220-3489 or thorka@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter.