Pegues just couldn't pull the trigger. He was afraid he would have missed too much if he left the Bulldogs.
``I thought about it for probably about 15, 20 minutes,'' Pegues said. ``I really sat down and thought about playing with my players another year and I couldn't pass that up. I felt like we had a real good chance of being able to compete with everybody in the SEC this year.''
Spirits are high in Starkville after last season's turnaround. The Bulldogs finished 8-5, including a Liberty Bowl victory, in their first winning season since 2000. And they've only gotten more ambitious. Mississippi State wants to take the next step and earn an appearance in a BCS bowl.
Heck, the Bulldogs even think they have a shot at the Southeastern Conference Western Division title in a year that favorites LSU and Auburn appear vulnerable.
``Opportunity is there,'' coach Sylvester Croom said. ``Now do we want it bad enough to seize the opportunity, that's the million dollar question?''
And that's not the only one Croom has going into the Aug. 30 opener at Louisiana Tech. Along with the losses of seniors Titus Brown and Avery Hannibal at defensive end and Gabe O'Neal at linebacker, the Bulldogs had several unexpected departures due to legal problems.
The most painful were Mike Brown, kicked off the team after firing a gun on campus, and Anthony Johnson, who was recently reinstated for his role in that incident but won't be eligible till next season.
These were not minor losses.
``Mike Brown was probably one of the best left tackles in the country,'' Pegues said. ``Anthony Johnson was becoming one of the premier shutdown corners in the SEC, and that was a big hit to our team.''
Other players lost were expected to provide depth on the defensive line and at linebacker. But linebacker Dominic Douglas doesn't believe those losses will be a negative.
``That has an effect on us because everybody's trying to step up in a positive manner,'' he said. ``We hate that they went on, but we've called on guys to step up and become the starters in those positions. I don't think it's going to have a bad effect on the season, but it's going to push the team a whole lot harder to fill in those gaps.''
Much of that pressure will be on Derek Sherrod. The sophomore will move from right to left tackle and will become the focal point of the Bulldogs' power-running game, which carried the offense last season under freshman quarterback Wes Carroll.
If Sherrod adapts quickly and former backup Mike Melichar settles in at right tackle, Mississippi State's Anthony Dixon and Christian Ducre could terrorize opposing defenses again. Dixon rushed for 1,066 yards and 14 touchdowns last season, much of it coming behind Brown.
Robert Elliott and Wade Bonner also are expected to push for playing time and add an element of speed missing last year in the bullish running game.
``There's no question those other guys are pushing him, but if Anthony plays like Anthony can play, he's the guy,'' Croom said. ``That's where it starts. It is critical for our team's success and also for his success for his chance to move to the next level that he play very focused throughout the course of the year and be totally committed to being one of the best backs in the country.''
And as Carroll's primary protection against the SEC's rabid pass rush, Sherrod also plays a key role in the quarterback's success. The freshman was one pass shy of tying the NCAA record for most pass attempts to start a career without an interception and showed uncanny leadership abilities for someone so young.
Croom said junior college transfer Tyson Lee also will play this season, but that Carroll showed he is an SEC quarterback after replacing Michael Henig and Josh Riddell, who have since left the team.
``You usually don't expect your quarterback in this conference to play until his third year,'' Croom said. ``This young man played well as a freshman. And I have been amazed at his decision making. I expect him to be even better this year. We're going to give him more options this year and allow him to make more decisions on the field, which we think will make us a more explosive offense.''
Croom said the Bulldogs are struggling to find replacements for Brown and Hannibal on the edges of the defensive line, but that the linebacking corps and secondary should be the strengths of the unit.
The coach believes the 2008 Bulldogs are faster, stronger and more experienced than last year's team. They also have the advantage that they now know how to win. And the fans have shown their appreciation after years of discontent.
``Everyone is excited about the way we finished last season and looking forward to our continued improvement,'' Croom said. ``I think they're excited about the overall health of the program right now. We've come a long way since 2000.''
http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/8/212306