STARKVILLE, Miss. — Mississippi State football released its first depth chart on Monday ahead of Saturday’s season opener against Louisiana Tech at Davis Wade Stadium. The game will kick off at 3 p.m. CT and be televised by ESPNU.

The most notable part of the depth chart is the “or” at starting quarterback, but that’s not abnormal for programs led by Mike Leach. Sophomore Will Rogers and South Alabama transfer Chance Lovertich will compete for the starting job.

At the starting running back spot, sophomores Jo’quavious Marks and Dillon Johnson also got the “or” treatment, while redshirt senior Austin Williams and sophomore Jaden Walley are battling for the starting spot at the “Y” receiver.

There are also two special teams position battles at punter and long snapper. Redshirt senior Tucker Day and redshirt sophomore Archer Trafford will compete for the punting duties, while either redshirt freshman Hayes Hammond or redshirt freshman Colby Cox will handle the long-snapping duties.

Week 1 Depth Chart:

OFFENSE

Quarterback

Will Rogers

OR

Chance Lovertich

Running back

Jo’quavious Marks

OR

Dillon Johnson

Wide receiver (X)

Malik Heath

Lideatrick Griffin

Wide receiver (H)

Jamire Calvin

Rufus Harvey

Left tackle

Charles Cross

Nick Jones

Left guard

Kameron Jones

Cole Smith

Center

LaQuinston Sharp

Cole Smith

Right guard

Kwatrivous Johnson

Cordavien Suggs

Right tackle

Scott Lashley

Albert Reese IV

Wide receiver (Y)

Austin Williams

OR

Jaden Walley

Christian Ford

Wide receiver (Z)

Makai Polk

Caleb Ducking

DEFENSE

Defensive end

Randy Charlton

De’Monte Russell

Nose guard

Cameron Young

Nathan Pickering

Defensive tackle

Jaden Crumedy

Jack Harris

Sam linebacker

Tyrus Wheat

Sherman Timbs

OR

Rodney Groce Jr.

Mike linebacker

Nathaniel Watson

DeShawn Page

Will linebacker

Aaron Brule

Jett Johnson

Cornerback

Martin Emerson

Decamerion Richardson

Cornerback

Emmanuel Forbes

Esaias Furdge

Free safety

Collin Duncan

Jay Jimison

Strong safety

Jalen Green

Dylan Lawrence

Bulldog

Fred Peters

Shawn Preston Jr.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kicker

Brandon Ruiz

Nolan McCord

Punter

Tucker Day

OR

Archer Trafford

Kickoff specialist

Brandon Ruiz

Scott Goodman

Kick returner

Lideatrick Griffin

Jo’quavious Marks

Punt returner

Austin Williams

Emmanuel Forbes

Long snapper

Hayes Hammond

OR

Colby Cox

Holder

Tucker Day