Marco Minor had one last chance to make an impression on Mississippi State coaches as Bulldog spring football practice concluded with the annual spring game. And did he ever.

Minor intercepted a pass in his own end zone and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown

&uot;My coach (Melvin Smith) told me it was about time to step up and prove to everyone I could play,&uot;&160;Minor said. &uot;I knew I needed to do something.&uot;

The Maroon team had the ball on the White team’s 7-yard line.

&uot;I cheated over to the (right) sideline,&uot; Minor said. &uot;I was looking to see who wasn’t covered. Once one of our guys tipped it, I just went to it. I got it and ran right down the side of the field.&uot;

Minor said he went virtually untouched for the score.

&uot;I got a key block that really helped out,&uot; he said.

High school was the last time Minor played defense. The last two years he spent as a wide receiver at Copiah-Lincoln.

Minor played wide receiver and defensive back at Natchez.

&uot;I’ve had my ups and downs,&uot; he said of spring drills. &uot;I can’t say I really did what I would have liked to have done. Right now I’m just trying to remember what I learned at Natchez High and do a little more so I can go to the next level.&uot;

Minor, who is majoring in business management, said he would have gladly played defense at Co-Lin if he had known State wanted him as a defensive back.

&uot;I think it would have helped me out,&uot;&160;he said. &uot;I was really hoping to play wide receiver. But I’ll go wherever they want me.&uot;

Minor, who reports to State on July 3, stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 210.

&uot;Hitting the weights is mandatory,&uot; he said. &uot;In this league you have to lift weights because guys are bigger, stronger and faster.&uot;

Minor said State head coach Jackie Sherrill is a straightforward person, while MSU defensive coordinator Joe Lee Dunn is all business.

&uot;He reminds me a lot of (Natchez assistant) Coach (James) Woodard,&uot; Minor said. &uot;Coach Dunn is more strict, but not by much.&uot;

Minor is joined at State by former Natchez and Co-Lin teammate Clarence Parker, a wide receiver. Minor said he has gone up against Parker in practice.

&uot;He got me the first time, but I told myself that would be the last time,&uot; Minor said. &uot;I can’t let him beat me anymore.&uot;

Minor said he realized the first day of practice that he will be competing in the Southeastern Conference.

&uot;When I first got out there I asked myself, ‘What have I gotten myself into,’&uot; he said. &uot;But it’s a dream come true. When&160;I was at Natchez High, I dreamed of playing somewhere.&uot;