Williams to redshirt as QBs behind Dak are all even

STARKVILLE – Nick Fitzgerald waited at midfield for an SEC Network interview last weekend after Mississippi State’s 45-17 win against Troy. He answered a few questions and jogged down to the south end zone to join his team while the band played MSU's alma mater.

Before arriving in the end zone, Mississippi State athletic director Scott Stricklin high-fived the 6-foot-5 signal caller after a 6-of-7 throwing performance for 141 yards and two scores.

The outing improved Fitzgerald’s numbers to 10 of 11 on the year for 231 yards and three touchdowns. The redshirt freshman played like the heir to Dak Prescott.

“The second No. 15 walks out the door, the whole slate’s clean,” Mullen said. “Whatever you did in the past no longer exists in my mind.”

Fitzgerald took the majority of offensive snaps last weekend because a stomach illness limited Dak Prescott to three series. Redshirt freshman Elijah Staley also played but was suffering from similar symptoms that hindered Prescott.

Staley has played in one less game (2) than Fitzgerald. He’s completed 3 of 5 passes for 51 yards and a touchdown. This season the 6-foot-6 quarterback also missed the majority of the offseason recovering from a knee injury. He wasn’t cleared for contact until the end of August.

“I think they’re pretty even. Fitz has the little advantage of Elijah, (who) was hurt in the spring, so he got a couple more reps,” Mullen said. “But if we had to make a change at quarterback I don’t know that (Fitzgerald’s edge) would be the case today.”

Damian Williams has the most experience among the quarterbacks behind Prescott. He’s played 12 games in his two seasons in Starkville. Williams started the 2013 Egg Bowl and led an overtime win at Arkansas.

The junior hasn’t played this year. Mullen said Monday that the plan is to redshirt the 6-1 quarterback.

“I think he probably would have liked to have redshirted his first year,” Mullen said. “Injuries didn’t let it happen.”

Williams was unable to practice in the spring because of a torn pectoral muscle. He didn’t throw a football until May. A redshirt season allowed him to not have to rush his recovery. It also gives him two years of eligibility after Prescott leaves. The plan is contingent on the health of the quarterbacks.

“If I can (redshirt) that will be good for me,” Williams said earlier this season. “If I can’t then, it wasn’t meant to happen, and I’ll be ready for my opportunity.”

Prescott, who holds 22 school records and will leave MSU as its most decorated player ever, has six regular season games remaining in his career.

When Prescott departs, the void will extend beyond quarterback.

“That slate’s going to get wiped clean come spring time,” Mullen said. “Because now somebody’s gotta emerge, not just as a good quarterback but the leader of the program.”

SCHEDULING NOTE: The Kentucky-Mississippi State game on Oct. 24 will kickoff at 6:30 p.m. and will be televised by the SEC Network.

Contact Michael Bonner at mbonner@jackson.gannett.com. Follow @MikeBonner on Twitter.