 Kim Murrell/ For the Daily News Mississippi State defensive back Johnthan Banks returns an interception 100 yards Saturday in the Bulldogs 29-19 loss to No. 1 Florida. Banks has four interceptions in the last two games. By AARON SEIDLITZ
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For a freshman, Johnthan Banks is already adept at something other than intercepting passes – and considering he’s intercepted four passes in three starts, he’s obviously pretty good at that.
Banks is also good at making a room full of media members laugh.
Named Mississippi State’s starting free safety for the Houston game three weekends ago due to junior Zach Smith’s problems with concussions, Banks has made his presence felt early on.
He recorded two interceptions two weeks ago against Middle Tennessee State, and then when his Bulldogs welcomed in No. 1 Florida last Saturday Banks intercepted two more passes.
Those throws both came from Tim Tebow, and the first one Banks returned 100-yards out of his own end zone to score slightly before halftime. The second one, he also returned for a touchdown.
So it’s safe to say that Banks is a little more popular on Mississippi State’s campus after the performance that earned him SEC Freshman of the Week on Monday.
“Well, I guess I made a lot of new friends today,” Banks said, “but ain’t nothing changed. I’m the same person I was last Friday.”
How many new friends? Well, for that the freshman disclosed just how people contacted him on the social networking web site, Facebook.com.
“On Facebook, I had about 26 new friend requests and about 50 notifications,” Banks said.
Coming from East Webster High School, Banks said he has had to deal with attention before. At the small school, he was the quarterback and kick returner for the Wolverines while they made run after run in the Class 1A state playoffs.
While it’s a bit of a surprise to him that the contribution he is making at State is on defense – and at safety, considering he had been practicing as a cornerback – he says many people around him are making sure that the early success he’s had doesn’t change his work ethic.
“Well, in high school I always got a lot of attention, and I talk to my old coach who just tells me to stay humble,” Banks said. “”Coach (Carl) Torbush (defensive coordinator) and all the other players all talk to me about staying humble, and that all this attention can get to me.
“But I think I’m old enough and mature enough to know my role on the team.”
In that vein, Banks said he knew he was “no Anthony Dixon,” and by that he was showcasing his respect for a senior leader of the club.
Instead, the success he has had early on – which is apparent in his four interceptions placing him in a tie atop the SEC lead for that category – he explains as “being in the right spot at the right time.”
“I guess that is always how it happens to play out,” Banks said. “Like (Sunday) in practice there was a tipped ball, and I just happened to be right there to catch it.
“I guess I’m just in the right spot at the right time.”
That ability to make plays is what has surprised his head coach Dan Mullen, but he was quick to point out that being in the correct position isn’t all that much about luck.
“You say guys are just in the right place at the right time, well, that’s just being a good ball player,” Mullen said.
Beyond the interceptions, though, Mullen has seen a young player exceeding expectations in other areas as well.
Yes, Banks was stiff armed by Tebow on the quarterback’s touchdown run Saturday, but Mullen sees a safety who has still been consistently effective at that position.
“But, you know, I’m really pleased with how he has been on an every-down basis for us. If you watch him, the tackles he makes and the physical nature of how he’s playing the position, and that’s from a young guy who hasn’t got the chance to really physical mature yet for us,” Mullen said.
Mullen reprimanded by SEC
A day after criticizing the Southeastern Conference replay officiating, Mullen was publicly reprimanded by SEC commissioner Mike Slive.
Mullen was critical of the league’s use of replay after a Florida interception return for a touchdown was confirmed by the official in the booth.
After looking at photographic and video evidence after the game, Mullen said it was his impression that the ball never crossed the goal line.
On the play, Mississippi State wide receiver Brandon McRae was the one who had hustled back and stripped Florida linebacker Dustin Doe, who had held the ball out while nearing the end zone.
On Sunday, Mullen’s words left no room for doubt in his disappointment of the call – of course, that came after a call he felt went against his Bulldogs after replay in the Houston game as well this season.
“To me, I’m going to find out who that video replay (official) was. I’ve seen over and over views of the ball being out of (Doe’s) hand before he crossed the goal line. That’s twice that an SEC replay official – I don’t even know why we have replay right now in the Southeastern Conference if they’re not going to utilize it,” Mullen said on Sunday.
In an email from the SEC office on Monday, Slive’s commented on Mullen’s comments.
“Coach Mullen has violated the Southeastern Conference Code of Ethics,” Slive said. “SEC Bylaw 10.5.4 clearly states that coaches, players and support personnel shall refrain from all public criticism of officials.”
When asked earlier in the day, during his press conference, Mullen had said he had not been in contact with the SEC up to that point.
“No, I haven’t. My focus since after practice (Sunday) through (Monday) has been on finding a way to beat Kentucky,” Mullen said.
State’s head coach was also not the only one to be publicly reprimanded on Monday by the league office.
A similar statement was sent out in regards to comments that were made by Tennessee head coach Lane Kiffin.
Basketball news, too
Also on Monday, MSU men’s basketball coach Rick Stansbury and quite a few of his players met with the media at Humphrey Coliseum.
There wasn’t much new to be said about the 2009-10 version of the Bulldogs before their season begins on Nov. 13, especially after Stansbury has already spoken with the media once on campus and once in Birmingham for SEC Media Days.
But a little more was said about the severity of forward Elgin Bailey’s ankle injury, which was originally suffered last season at The Hump against Florida.
Stansbury reiterated his position that the Bulldogs might be without the power forward this season, and the player himself added that a medical redshirt has been discussed.
Bailey’s frustration with the situation is clear.
“I’ve just been wishing that didn’t happen. I just go back, think about and think, ‘Why me?,’ because I really want to be out there with my guys,” Bailey said. “I’m just very, very frustrated.”
The 6-foot-8 and 265-pound forward, had given the Bulldogs nearly four points and 2.5 rebounds per game last year prior to the injury.
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