Mississippi State QB Nick Fitzgerald out after gruesome ankle injury

Fitzgerald was injured while running during the first quarter of the Egg Bowl

The Egg Bowl is known as a vicious rivalry between Ole Miss and Mississippi State. That hatred came to a brief stop when Bulldogs quarterback Nick Fitzgerald suffered a gruesome, brutal ankle injury early during Thursday's 31-28 loss to the Rebels. 

Fitzgerald was injured on a 3-yard run at about the nine-minute mark of the first quarter. ESPN's broadcast camera captured Fitzgerald holding his ankle, which was pointing in a direction it had no business pointing. 

Fitzgerald was 1 of 5 with an interception and 16 yards rushing at the time of the injury. Backup Keytaon Thompson came in to lead the Bulldogs offense and went 13 of 27 for 195 yards, one touchdown and a pick. Thompson led all rushers with 121 yards and a score. 

Inserting Thompson into a big game like this suddenly was a tough situation, but coach Dan Mullen did a good job all things considered. Thompson's natural athleticism was good enough to keep the chains moving until the passing attack caught up. However, Mississippi State lost five turnovers, at which point it hardly matters whether Fitzgerald was healthy or not. Otherwise, Mississippi State outgained Ole Miss 501-355. 

The exact nature of Fitzgerald's injury isn't known yet, but given the way it looked, a long recovery is likely ahead.