By By Tony Krausz / assistant sports editor
Sept. 9, 2003
STARKVILLE Mississippi State University had plenty of time to lick its wounds after the squad's opening day loss to Oregon.
The Bulldogs used their bye week following their 42-34 thrashing by the Ducks productively, as the team prepares to face Tulane on Saturday.
Offensive lineman Johnny Wadley, who missed MSU's season opener, returned to the field during the off week.
But not all of the Bulldogs have been able to get back to the field during the early-season break.
MSU will take some extra precautions to make sure everybody stays on the field when the squad squares off against the Green Wave in Superdome in New Orleans.
The Bulldogs' cautious ways leading up to the game is because the team will be switching from playing on a grass field to AstroTurf in the second game of the season.
Along with getting players ready for the new playing surface, MSU will be looking to get off to a better start against Tulane than it did against Oregon.
The Ducks scored four touchdowns and racked up 257 yards of total offense in the opening quarter against the Bulldogs.
MSU's defense will face another potent offense when it lines up against Tulane.
Green Wave quarterback J.P. Losman passed for 656 yards and six touchdowns in the first two games.
But Tulane doesn't just attack opponents through the air, running back Mewelde Moore has pounded out 142 yards on 35 carries, including his 17th career 100-yard rushing game against Northwestern State last Saturday.
Moore is also effective catching passes out of the backfield. The senior running back has hauled in 13 passes for 148 yards on three touchdowns so far this season.
The Bulldogs are slated to kick off against the Green Wave at 7 p.m. Saturday.