Mississippi State confirmed Thursday that freshman starting quarterback Garrett Shrader is out for the Music City Bowl on Monday.
Earlier in the day, 247Sports reported that Shrader suffered an eye injury in a post-practice scuffle with a defensive teammate last Friday and would be unavailable.
Coach Joe Moorhead will turn back to Tommy Stevens, who took the first-team reps Thursday as the Bulldogs (6-6) held their first on-site practice in Nashville, Tenn., in preparation for their game against Louisville (7-5).
Stevens, a grad transfer from Penn State, started eight games this season, with Shrader starting four, including the regular-season finale against Ole Miss.
Moorhead last week said, “We’re starting Garrett because he’s earned the right to be the starter.”
Stevens has completed 80 of 135 passes for 934 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions. Shrader was 88 of 153 for 1,170 yards, eight touchdowns and five picks. He added 587 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground.
Shrader suffered “some orbital bone damage,” according to 247Sports but won’t require surgery.
