Mississippi State's Bothwell Exits Texas Game Injured

Running back Fluff Bothwell left Mississippi State's loss to Texas with an injury, and freshman JJ Hill took over the next possession.

Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Football

Mississippi State's Bothwell Exits Texas Game Injured

Mississippi State running back Fluff Bothwell exited the October 31 game against Texas after being tackled in the fourth quarter and did not return. The school has not disclosed the nature of his injury, and Texas led 24-3 at the time.

Why it matters

Bothwell was the team's primary ball carrier, and his departure leaves Mississippi State's backfield depth in question for the remainder of the game. Fans across the state will be watching for an update on his status.

Bothwell had 17 carries for 49 yards and three catches for 13 yards before leaving the game. Mississippi State has not disclosed the severity of the injury or whether he will be available next week.

The players

Fluff Bothwell

Mississippi State's running back, who was the team's primary ball carrier before leaving the October 31 game with an injury.

JJ Hill

A Mississippi State freshman who took over as the running back on the team's next offensive possession after Bothwell's exit.

The details

Bothwell was tackled on a rush attempt in the fourth quarter and was down on the ground for a couple of minutes. He walked off the field with help from the MSU training staff, went to the medical tent, and then to the locker room, and has not returned.

October 31, 2026: Bothwell exits the Mississippi State game against Texas with an injury.

Season Trajectory

Injuries to primary ball carriers often reshape a team's offensive plan for the rest of a season, and Mississippi State now must rely on backups Kolin Wilson and Xavier Gayten along with freshman JJ Hill. How the Bulldogs manage the backfield over the coming weeks will shape their offensive consistency in Mississippi's competitive SEC landscape.

Bothwell's absence changes the depth chart for Mississippi State, with Kolin Wilson and Xavier Gayten listed as his backups. Fantasy managers and bettors tracking Bulldogs running backs should monitor the official injury designation before the next game.

The takeaway

A single injury can quickly reshape a game plan, so readers following Mississippi State should watch for the official update on Bothwell's status and how the backfield rotation develops.