October 10, 2020 is a day that Will Rogers would like to forget.
Instead, it’s a day that Rogers has used to make himself a better player. It was the first time that Rogers ever stepped on the field when he was a freshman and the Bulldogs took to the road to play Kentucky. In fairness to Rogers, the game was a disaster for everyone running the Air Raid that day.
KJ Costello threw four interceptions in the game and Rogers got a look in the second half and was 9-of-15 for 43 yards and two interceptions. The Bulldogs lost and they couldn’t score a point on offense but it was motivation for what would come a year later.
Rogers was a much different man on Saturday. The Bulldogs’ sophomore signal caller had perhaps the best game of his life as he helped the Bulldogs to an efficient day and a 31-17 win over No. 12 Kentucky.
“It’s come a long way,” Rogers said. “We’re two totally different teams from that point last year to now. We did a great job tonight. Guys got open and guys were running hard and finding spots in the zone. They were dropping eight and we found ways to get open and find space and I found ways to get them the ball.”
Rogers was at his best on Saturday. The second-year starter looked like an Air Raid veteran as he set an SEC record for completion percentage with a minimum of 30 completions. He was 36-of-39 (92%) for 344 yards and a touchdown.
12 different players caught a pass in the game led by Jo’Quavious Marks’ nine receptions for 57 yards and Jaden Walley’s six for 95. It was a game that Rogers and company felt they could deliver after the week that they had put together on the practice field but it wasn’t without some early hurdles.
State trailed 10-0 in the second quarter and punted and missed a field goal on the first two possessions. Rogers composed himself and led the team on back-to-back 75-yard drives for touchdowns and would spearhead 31-straight points.
“I felt great. I hate to say it was like any other game, but I just felt like I was just out there playing,” Rogers said. “I was just trying to do my job one play at a time. Everybody else around me was doing their job pretty well.”
Since that 43-yard day and two interceptions in game one of his career, Rogers has cemented himself as the guy in the offense.
Rogers passed Dak Prescott with 327 completions for the single-season record on Saturday. He’s now second all-time behind Prescott with 566 career completions. He also tied the school record with seven 300-yard passing performances this season and his 2,890 yards are fourth all-time in a season, just eight yards away from third.
“He’s a very composed guy. That’s why he played last year. He’s not afraid to compete. Real level-headed mentally,” Leach said of Rogers. “As he’s assumed more of a leadership role, he’s been the voice on offense longer, it helps our team be steadier, more even tempered as well. That’s something we definitely need. He keeps improving.”
Saturday night was the benefit of hard work for a player that has been counted out by many already in his young career. The time in the offseason putting in that work is coming to fruition.
But the quarterback isn’t satisfied. Saturday was nice, he wants to replicate it again and again.
“I’m just confident in my preparation. I believe I’m the hardest worker on this team. I’m really confident in how hard that I work in the offseason,” Rogers said. “I think I run this offense pretty well, but how many plays in a row can I do it? How many games in a row can I do it? Next week going to Arkansas presents a huge talent for myself as well as our team.”
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October 31, 2021 at 11:34AM
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One year later vs. Kentucky, Will Rogers shows continued evolution at QB - 247Sports
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