Mullen in spotlight as Gators travel to Mississippi State
Florida coach Dan Mullen understands he may get less than a welcoming reception when the Gators face Mississippi State on Saturday
When asked if he expected to hear some boos, Mullen replied: “What do you think?”
Mullen will be facing the school he left behind for the first time when the Gators (3-1) travel to Starkville, Miss., to face the Bulldogs (3-1).
Mullen led Mississippi State to a 69-46 record and eight bowl appearances in nine seasons before taking the Florida job last November. The highlight of the Mullen era at Mississippi State came in October of 2014 when, under former Bulldogs and current Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott, Mississippi State earned the No. 1 ranking in the AP poll.
“When I think of the fans and I think of the former players and the people of the town of Starkville, I think for the most part they were appreciative in what we were able to accomplish in the nine years that we were there,” Mullen said.
But after leading Mississippi State to an 8-4 regular season in 2017, Mullen decided the time was right to join former athletic director Scott Stricklin in Gainesville and lead the Gators.
“It would be great to give him a win against Mississippi State, the team he just came from,” Florida junior wide receiver Freddie Swain said. “Just focus on it’s another game. Hopefully, we get a win. Just win.”
Mullen has recruited several of the key players on Mississippi State’s roster, including senior quarterback Nick Fitzgerald, a preseason All-SEC selection.
“He’s big, he’s physical and he’s extremely fast,” Mullen said.
Mississippi State is coming off its first loss of the season, losing 28-7 at Kentucky. The Bulldogs will be looking to bounce back and will have no shortage of motivation with Mullen coming back to town.
“They’re going to have comfort going against our scheme,” said Mullen, who has brought the spread offense with him from Starkville to Gainesville.
The Gators are coming off an impressive 47-21 win at Tennessee. Florida forced six turnovers and posted its highest point total at Neyland Stadium in school history. Mullen said that Mississippi State will bring a different level of physicality this week.
“We have to get better,” Mullen said. “We played a little more physical but we have to get a lot more physical.”