Mississippi State still looking for a punt returner

The No. 1 team in the country doesn't have many holes. But one exists for Mississippi State at punt returner.

Jamoral Graham has played in seven games this season and acted as Mississippi State's punt returner. After his fourth straight game with a mishandled punt, he was relieved from the role last Saturday against Arkansas.

Sophomore Fred Ross took over for Graham. The competition will continue this week in practice.

"We're going to see what we do at practice," Mullen said. "He was in that spot because of practice. He was the best guy."

Mississippi State hosts UT Martin this weekend. The Skyhawks are 5-5 with a four-game winning streak. They have played one SEC game this season, a 59-14 loss at Kentucky on Aug. 30.

The game against a lesser opponent should allow MSU to rotate through a number of returners. Graham has returned 14 punts this season. Jameon Lewis is second with two, while Brandon Holloway and Kivon Coman both have returned one this season.

Ross fielded punts Saturday, but fair caught them, which doesn't qualify as official returns.

Graham leads all returners with a 4.8 yard average return. His long return is 21 yards. No other player has more than a 5-yard return.

The issue is his four fumbles this season. It's resulted in two turnovers. The Razorbacks recovered the mishap on Saturday and converted it into their only touchdown of the game.

"On that play you see him, he thinks he has a shot at a return," Graham said. "He just takes his eyes off and looks down at the coverage before he even catches the ball. You're not going to catch balls that way."

Mullen said last week that a healthy Lewis could help in punt returns. The senior still isn't 100 percent after injuring his leg against LSU on Sept. 20.

Lewis sat out against Texas A&M and Auburn. He saw limited action against Kentucky and Arkansas. He caught one pass for two yards in the two games.