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12/31/00 - Independence Bowl Q and A with MSU coaches and players:
MSU Offensive Coordinator Sparky Woods:
Does Texas A & M on film compare to any other team that MSU has played this year?
Coach Woods: They are a tough comparison. You know who they most compare to is South Carolina. They have a really good down front like Pinkney and those other two to three that South Carolina had. South Carolina was a little faster at inside linebacker than (Texas A&M) is but they have great speed on the perimeter just like South Carolina. They probably have a little more skill in the secondary than South Carolina has, although they both run fast.
You've talked about what team Texas A&M compares to that MSU has played. How about talking about some things that you have noticed about them after watching their game film?
Coach Woods: They have great run defense. Nobody is going to run the ball against them. They can whip you with their front seven. They are very physical. Neutralizing their front three is a very big challenge for us. They biggest thing they do is if they don't stop you with their front seven, they get that safety down. He is an outstanding player. He reminds me a lot of Clark from LSU. We have to find a way to handle him. They swap him for a linebacker sometimes. They'll drop a linebacker and rush him.
MSU Linebacker Mario Haggan:
What are some of the things that you have seen on film that impresses you about Texas A&M?
Mario Haggan: They have three good running backs; numbers 28, 5 and 24. They run hard and expect those guys to make big plays. They have a quarterback who is really accurate and can make big plays. He has a good receiver in Rodney Ferguson who is a burner who can make big plays. What we have to do is put pressure on their quarterback and stop their running backs early.
MSU Center Michael Fair:
You've seen Texas A&M on film. Who do they compare to that you have played this year?
Michael Fair: They really compare to a lot of teams that we have played this year. They look like an SEC team. They are big and strong up front and fast on the corners. Talent-wise, they are right up there with any team that we have played this year. It is a good matchup for us because we have seen it week-in and week-out.
Madkin, who was held out of practice Friday as a precautionary measure after complaining of sinus-related problems and a 102 degree temperature, awakened with his flu-like conditions dissipated Saturday morning. The coaching staff cancelled Saturday night's walk-thru, instead sending the punters and kickers to the stadium for an afternoon workout.
Mississippi State faces Texas A&M in the 25th Independence Bowl at 7 p.m. New Year's Eve.
Other Bowl Notes:
Both teams were honored Saturday at a noon luncheon in which MSU senior place-kicker Scott Westerfield received the bowl's academic award for the Bulldogs. Westerfield, a civil engineering major, carries a 3.93 grade point average.
A Mardi Gras preview and pep rally was held at the Exposition Hall in downtown Shreveport Saturday night. Both schools' marching bands, cheerleaders and fans got fired up early for Sunday's bowl game.
ESPN personnel was in attendance at the MSU team hotel, conducting interviews with Bulldog head coach Jackie Sherrill, offensive players Michael Fair and Pork Chop Womack, and defensive standout Mario Haggan.
Reprinted with the permission of the MSU Athletic Department
12/30/00
Independence Bowl Notes:
SHREVEPORT, La. Mississippi State was greeted by clear skies, but cold winds when the Bulldogs gathered for their final full-scale practice Friday prior to Sunday nightšs silver anniversary Sanford Independence Bowl game against Texas A&M.
Temperatures in the low 40s felt much lower due to gusty northerly winds. The weather, which was complicated by early week rain, claimed its first victim on the MSU side. Junior quarterback Wayne Madkin, who missed most of the season-ending game against Mississippi, was held out of practice Friday as a precautionary measure. Madkin has complained all week of the same flu-like symptoms that sidelined him after two series against the Rebels.
The remainder of Friday's practice went off without a hitch, and the Bulldogs were particularly sharp despite the chilly conditions. State's players bounced around seemingly oblivious to the climate.
The team planned a walk-through workout Saturday under the Independence Bowl lights.
Other Bowl Notes:
Mississippi State's Friday began early, as the team took part in the bowl's Fellowship of Christian Athletes breakfast meeting at 7:30 a.m.
The bowl's first planned activities for the official travel parties' wives and children took place Friday. The women were entertained at a style show and luncheon, while the children were treated to a trip to the Sci-Port Museum and lunch at Chuck E. Cheese pizza parlor.
Following practice, both the Mississippi State and Texas A&M teams met Shreveport-area fans at the bowl's Sharpie Autograph Party at a local mall.
Mississippi State reported brisk interest in its remaining tickets during the first day of sales at the Holiday Inn-Financial Plaza, the team's hotel. Tickets still remained available for sale Friday afternoon, and the satellite office will open again Saturday morning at 9.
Reprinted with the permission of the MSU Athletic Department
12/29/00
Independence Bowl Notes:
SHREVEPORT, La. Mississippi State practiced in Independence Stadium again Thursday, working nearly two hours on the same field on which the Bulldogs will face Texas A&M Sunday night in the silver anniversary Independence Bowl.
State drilled in slightly improved conditions Thursday. The precipitation that had plagued Northwest Louisiana departed, leaving temperatures in the mid-40s. The Bulldogs were just one man short of working at full-strength. Only junior defensive end Dwayne Robertson (sprained calf) could not practice.
Tickets for the Mississippi State-Texas A&M game are still available and may be purchased at MSU's team hotel, the Holiday Inn-Financial Plaza, beginning Friday, Dec. 29, at 9 a.m. Any tickets remaining will go on sale in the same location on Saturday morning.
Other Bowl Notes:
Following Thursday's practice, Mississippi State's senior players and head coach Jackie Sherrill visited the Shriner's Hospital at LSU Medical Center.
With Wednesday night's Team Welcome Party still on State players' minds a day later, the team prepared for the bowl-sponsored team dinner and night out Thursday. During the Welcome Party, which featured both schools, Bulldog players stole the show. A skit featuring country music artists (tight ends coach Dave Wilson, his daughter Holly, and offensive linemen Michael Fair, Tommy Watson and Kyle Wallace) was followed by a Supremes impersonation (Jackie Sherrill's daughter Bonnie and defensive backs Marco Minor, Julius Griffith and Milas Randle). The highlight of the evening followed as hypnotist Terry Stokes, Jr., worked his magic on MSU strength coach Mike Grant, linebacker Mario Haggan, defensive end Steele Davis and Jill Ferguson Bender, wife of deep snapper Michael Bender and former Bulldog volleyball player. Grant was the most-called-on victim, made to believe he was a six-year-old girl who found and used her mother's makeup kit. All acts had the crowd at the Bossier Civic Center on their feet and rolling in the aisles. The Thursday night dinner at the Rockin' Rodeo in Bossier City was followed by an opportunity to visit local night spots.
Reprinted with the permission of the MSU Athletic Department
12/28/00
Independence Bowl Notes:
SHREVEPORT, La. The Mississippi State athletic ticket office will begin selling approximately 2,500 tickets for the silver anniversary Sanford Independence Bowl at the team hotel here, Friday, Dec. 29.
A satellite ticket office will be established in the lobby of the Holiday Inn-Financial Plaza and will be open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. on both the 29th and 30th. All tickets are priced at $25.
Mississippi State will play Texas A&M in the Independence Bowl, Sunday, Dec. 31, at 7 p.m. (CT).
Bulldog players took advantage of a pair of bowl-related activities Wednesday. A tour of Barksdale Air Force Base was available following practice in the afternoon, and the Team Welcome Party, featuring both school's coaching staffs and players, was held Wednesday evening. Barksdale has the nation's highest concentration of B-52s, the aircraft used during the first bombing run on Kosovo during the Persian Gulf War. Players from both State and A&M performed skits during the welcome party.
All players who were expected to make the trip to Shreveport arrived on time at the team hotel, including senior offensive tackle Pork Chop Womack (Cleveland, Miss.), who is expected to make his first start on the offensive line since midseason. Womack has been sidelined since the LSU game (Oct. 21) with a stress fracture in his left leg. As he did in State's season-ending game, Shawn Byrdsong (Longview, Texas) will start for Pig Prather at one Dog safety position, while Marco Minor (Natchez, Miss.) will make his first collegiate start at cornerback, in place of senior all-America Fred Smoot. The remainder of the starting lineup should resemble the healthy squad State had on the field earlier in the year.
Reprinted with the permission of the MSU Athletic Department
12/27/00 - During the middle part of 2001, MSU football will be presented the AFCA (American Football Coaches Association) Academic Achievement Award. MSU football will have earned that award because it graduated at least 70% of its seniors. This will be the 10th straight year that MSU has achieved that very prestigious award.
The AFCA also awards many other well-known and prestigious college football awards.
In fact, since 1987, the AFCA (formerly the CFA) has awarded one of the most highly coveted awards in college football, the national championship trophy. The award is determined by the coaches poll which was once run by UPI and is now run by ESPN. Sears is the current presenter of the actual national championship trophy, the Sears Trophy.
The AFCA also presents other awards such as the Amos Alonzo Stagg Award, AFCA Coach of the Year Award, Assistant Coach of the Year Award, AFCA Regional Coach of the Year Award, and the AFCA Coaches' All-American Team Award. The AFCA presents many more awards but these are some of the more coveted ones.
Click here to read more about the AFCA college football National Championship Award.
Click here to learn more about the various awards the AFCA presents.
Click here to view the various AFCA coaches' polls.
Click here to learn more about the AFCA organization.
12/26/00 - During the season, the assistant coaches spend almost all of their time preparing their players for the upcoming game. Unless the young players are playing in games, they are usually playing on the scout team running the plays of the opposition. Their primary time of development is during the spring. With that said, here are two very short interviews that I conducted with MSU assistant coaches Craig Stump and Jerry Fremin after practice last week. Coach Stump coaches the wide receivers while Coach Fremin coaches the offensive linemen. I asked both how their young scout team players looked during the three days that they got to work with them last week.
It's really difficult to tell much about them in three days. They are more comfortable with everything since I last saw them in late August. What I mean by that is they aren't as nervous. I do feel that they have gotten stronger. I'm excited about our young receivers.
Then you have David Stewart who has loads of ability. I think that he won most of his pass-rush drills against the defensive line the last few days. And I think that he went against some pretty good ones too.
Let me talk about Kyle Watson, a junior college center from East Central CC. He is doing a great job and has plenty of football savy. He is about 300 pounds but he is not real tall. He is strong and aggressive and I think he can make a contribution. As an offensive lineman if you know what to do and are a good technician, then you can help us in certain ways. He has a chance down the road and I thought that he had good practices the last few days.
12/22/00 - Football News:
As everyone knows by now, MSU star cornerback Fred Smoot will not be playing in the Independence Bowl because he did not meet the SEC rule that requires that athletes pass at least 50 percent of the minimum for full-time student status or they will not be eligible for post-season competition.
This is the first season that this SEC rule has been implemented. I stress it is not an NCAA rule but an SEC rule.
From what I have been told by various sources, the majority of SEC schools will have players that will not be able to play in their bowl game due to this rule. Fred, because he is such a high profile player, was one of the most newsworthy players this rule affected, hence the publicity.
While Fred is an academic casualty of this rule, this is not a true reflection of the academics of MSU football. Fred is one of many MSU seniors, most of whom are on schedule to graduate. In fact, according to Coach Sherrill during his Tuesday press conference, MSU had eight seniors graduate this December. And all but a couple of the others are on pace to graduate this spring or summer.
Please don't let Fred's academic situation cause you to lose sight of the fact that MSU football has been one of the national leaders in graduating their football players. The facts don't lie; MSU, over the last ten years, has graduated over 70% of their football players.
Independence Bowl Activity:
The Professional Bullriders will be in Bossier City at the CenturyTel Center for the Harrahs Louisiana Shootout on December 29th and 30th at 7:30 p.m. each night. This is a national television event and will be seen on TNN. This is the first stop on the Bud Lite Tour for 2001. The top 45 bullriders in the world are in the event. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster and at the CenturyTel Center. Tickets range in price from $95, $75, $50, $25 and $10. Mississippi State alumni and fans will be given a $5 discount on all tickets costing $25 or more. The tickets can be purchased at the door. Just say you are from Mississippi State and you will be given a $5 discount. This email was received from Dan Correll.
MSU Recruiting News:
12/21/00 - Practice Update:
The players finally got to practice outside on the practice fields behind the Shira Field House. It was cold, cold, cold! It was about 26 degrees when I arrived for the practice and there was a fairly strong wind blowing.
The players and coaches seemed to be in good spirits, although the extreme cold made it difficult on the quarterbacks and receivers.
There were no young players drills or scrimmage yesterday. The coaches now appear to be focusing on putting in place the Texas A&M gameplan.
Today will be the last practice until the players arrive in Shreveport on December 25th. The team will take off for Christmas holidays until then. The first actual practice in Shreveport with be the morning of the 26th.
Recruiting News:
MSU has its first early signing period signee (see below). MSU is expected to sign several more junior college players today. I expect them to be cornerbacks Richard Ball and Korey Banks.
Ronald Fields - DL, 6-3, 295, Bogalusa, La. (Bogalusa/Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy) Attended Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy prep school in Fall 2000 following his senior year of high school in Louisiana . . . Recruited by Clemson, LSU and Virginia Tech while at Hargrave Military Academy . . . Rated as the second best noseguard in the south by Pigskin Preps recruiting magazine . . . Credited with running 4.8 in the 40-yard dash by that publication . . . Named Class 4A, all-district during a breakout senior season . . . Registered 97 tackles, including 18 hits behind the line of scrimmage . . . Also recovered five fumbles . . . Credited with a 370-pound bench press . . . Recorded 65 tackles with five sacks, two fumble recoveries, and three caused fumbles as a junior . . . Played for head football coach Calvin Hymel at Bogalusa (La.) High School . . . Born Ronald Fields, 9-13-81, in Bogalusa, La . . . Son of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Weary.
12/20/00 - Recruiting Update:
Here are the names of players that my sources say will sign with MSU either today or in the next few days. There will probably be others but these are the ones that are expected to sign for sure.
Ron Fields - Defensive lineman, 6-3, 285, 4.85, Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia. Even though he is a firm commitment to MSU, LSU, Clemson and Virginia Tech recruited him while at prep school.
Korey Banks - Garden City (KS) CC cornerback, 5-11, 175, 4.3. A CBS Sportsline/PrepStar JUCO All-American, a J.C. Grid-Wire Second-Team All-American, Number 26 on Max Emfinger's list of the top 117 juco players in the nation. First Team Kansas Jayhawk All Conference. Possibly the top cover cornerback in the juco ranks.
Richard Ball - Fort Scott (KS) CC cornerback, 6-1, 195, 4.4. First-Team Kansas Jayhawk All-Conference. One of the top three cornerbacks in juco ball.
As always, stay positive. MSU is having a great recruiting year (the list below proves that) and is going after many, many great players. As they have done the past several years, MSU will get more than their fair share but will also lose a few. Don't let a few losses cause you to overlook the many victories.
MSU commitments:
Rico Bennett - Defensive back, 6-1, 190, 4.5, Brandon HS. First Team All-State. February signee. Recruiting analyst Tom Culpepper has him listed as one of the top three high school players in Mississippi.
Coco Hodge - Running back, 6-1, 235, 4.6, Clinton (MS) HS. Second Team All-State. February signee. A Clarion-Ledger Dandy Dozen selection. Max Emfinger lists him as one of the top five fullbacks in the country.
Chris McNeil - Offensive lineman (Center), 6-4, 275, 5.0, Petal (MS) HS. First Team All-State. Max Emfinger has him listed as one of the top six offensive centers in the nation. Had a phenomenal 144 pancake blocks this past season. The top true offensive center prospect to come out of Mississippi in years. February signee.
Clarence McDougal - Defensive back, 6-1, 200, 4.5, Clinton (MS) HS. First Team All-State. A Clarion-Ledger Dandy Dozen selection. Max Emfinger lists him as the third best strong safety in the nation. February signee.
Ron Fields - Defensive lineman, 6-3, 285, 4.85, Hargrave Military Academy (Virginia). December signee.
Corey Brown - Butler County (KS) CC linebacker, 6-2, 225, 4.5/4.6. J.C. Grid-Wire First-Team All-American, CBS Sportsline/PrepStar Juco All-American, A Max Emfinger Juco Dandy Dozen selection (one of the top 12 juco players in the nation). Defensive Player of the Year in the Kansas Jayhawk Football Conference. Possibly the top linebacker in the juco ranks. A May grad. February signee.
Kamau Jackson - Co-Lin (MS) CC linebacker, 6-0, 230, 4.6. Number 22 on Max Emfinger's list of the top 117 juco players in the nation. One of the top five linebacker prospects in the juco ranks. Even with a knee injury, he was the second leading tackler in the Mississippi juco ranks this season. February signee.
Korey Banks - Garden City (KS) CC cornerback, 5-11, 175, 4.3. A CBS Sportsline/PrepStar JUCO All-American, a J.C. Grid-Wire Second-Team All-American, Number 26 on Max Emfinger's list of the top 117 juco players in the nation. First Team Kansas Jayhawk All Conference. December signee.
Richard Ball - Fort Scott (KS) CC cornerback, 6-1, 195, 4.4. Being looked at by numerous college programs. First-Team Kansas Jayhawk All-Conference. Has the size and speed of former and current MSU cornerbacks Robert Bean and Fred Smoot. December signee.
Tim Love - East Miss CC defensive lineman, 6-2, 310, 4.9. CBS Sportsline/PrepStar JUCO All-American, Number 53 on Max Emfinger's list of the top 117 juco players in the nation. A May grad. February signee.
Thad Cribbs - East Miss. CC defensive back, 6-0, 185, 4.38. CBS Sportsline/PrepStar JUCO All-American, Number 47 on Max Emfinger's list of the top 117 juco players in the nation. A May grad who has three years to play three. February signee.
Johnny Thomas - Holmes County (MS) CC defensive lineman, 6-3, 295, 4.7. February signee.
12/19/00 - Practice Update:
Cold, cold, cold, was the weather yesterday. How cold was it? It was so cold that Coach Sherrill cut practice four periods short. Well, the cold weather wasn't the only reason that he cut practice short. The weather siren came on. Once it came on, practice ended almost immediately.
Because it was cut short, there was no young players scrimmage.
While there is no report on the young guys, I did notice a couple of good plays by freshman cornerback Slovakia Griffith. The first play was a pass deflection, then the next play he intercepted the pass. He looks like he has a chance to be a good one.
Recruiting News:
Remember, always be positive. Never say or write something negative about a player even if he chooses a school other than MSU.
12/18/00 - Recruiting News:
12/17/00 - Practice Update:
The team practiced in the stadium yesterday. They normally do that when the practice fields are too wet.
The team did a little more scrimmages during yesterday's practice.
Once again the younger players practiced against each other during the last six periods of practice. However, unlike the past two days, this time they scrimmaged.
While it was tough to watch everybody during the scrimmage (you ever tried to watch 22 young players try and run plays that they are just learning?), a few players did catch my eye.
Freshman offensive lineman, David Stewart, had a pancake block on one play. Redshirt freshman Eric Thompson also made several good plays. Freshman dog safety Gabriel Wallace made a play behind the line of scrimmage. Redshirt freshman dog safety Milas Randle made two very good plays back to back. He made the tackle on both plays, one of them behind the line of scrimmage. Milas may have found himself a home at dog safety. Ray Ray Bivines, playing quarterback, showed tremendous quickness running the ball as did freshman running back Fred Reid. Freshman defensive end Robert Spivey looked quick rushing the passer on several plays. Redshirt freshman tight end Tommy Ferrill had the play of the scrimmage when he caught a pass, then ran about 60 yards for a touchdown. He showed some good moves to keep from being tackled.
Recruiting Update:
12/16/00 - Here are the latest pictures of the stadium expansion. Note that the contractor has begun building the skyboxes steel structure support. Click here to view it.
Practice Update:
Sorry, not much to report.
It was even colder yesterday than it was the day before due to the wind. The players seemed to be in even better spirts than the previous day.
As mentioned yesterday, after the veterans go inside after practicing the first 18 periods, the youngsters, mostly freshmen and redshirts, went through individual drills, then practiced against each other. I watched the young wide receivers go against the young defensive backs. The young quarterbacks did the passing. I really didn't see anybody stand out during the 10 minutes of practicing against each other, probably due to the extreme cold. There were a few good plays, mostly by the defense. The offense seem to be throwing mostly passes underneath the coverage. However, there were a few deep passes. On one of them, Dog Safety Brian Shumaker made a touchdown saving pass deflection in the endzone.
More tomorrow.
12/15/00 - Football Practice News:
MSU had their first Independence Bowl practice yesterday. It was in the 30's and overcast. The wind chill factor probably knocked the temperature down into the 20's.
Despite the cold temperatures, the team appeared to be excellent spirits and showed a lot of energy and effort during the practice.
As usual, the practice started off with the kicking and punting teams practicing for a few periods, then the team practiced 24 periods with the veterans finishing their part of the practice after the 18th period and the young guys doing individual drills and practicing against each other the last 6 periods.
I stayed for the entire practice because I knew that you guys would enjoy reading about how the young guys did. During the last 6 periods, the youngsters went through individual drills, then went one-on-one against their competition on the opposite side of the ball. After the individual drills were through, I watched the defensive linemen rush against the offensive linemen.
Freshman defensive end Tarus Morgan (6-2, 240) was very impressive, showing excellent quickness and strength rushing the passer. Freshman defensive end Robert Spivey also had several excellent rushing plays where he out-quicked the offensive lineman he went up against.
The defensive players weren't the only ones to show good potential.
Freshman offensive lineman David Stewart continued to show very quick feet and good strength. He had several very good plays against the young defensive linemen he went up against. Freshman offensive lineman Will Rogers also looked really good at times containing the defensive linemen he went up against. He really seems to have improved since I watched him in late August. Redshirt freshman Eric Thompson also looked very good. As expected from a redshirt freshman, he showed a little more consistency than the other freshmen offensive linemen.
The youngsters will continue to practice against each other during the last 6 periods of each practice. I'll make it a point of watching to see how they do and report it here.
Other Football News:
New Year's Eve Celebration
BULLDOG STYLE
Sunday, December 31, 2000 6:30 pm-1:00 am
The Vicksburg-Opryland Hotel
$40.00 per person
Come and watch the Bulldogs take on the Aggies in the Independence Bowl on New Year's Eve. We have reserved the Vicksburg Room at the Opryland Hotel along with a 7' projection screen!! The "Taste of Tennessee" buffet dinner will be served beginning at 6:30 p.m., with gametime starting at 7:00 p.m.
A cash bar and party favors will also be provided. If you are interested, please contact John Wilson at 615-565-2358 or john.wilson@medifax.com.
Recruiting News:
That about does it for today. I'll have another football news and recruiting news update tomorrow morning.
12/14/00 - Football News:
Recruiting News:
12/12/00 - Here is the latest picture of the stadium expansion. Click here to view it. The concrete portion of the south end of the stadium expansion is almost complete The contractor will begin working on the south end skyboxes in the next few weeks.
List of commitments:
Spencer Pennington - Quarterback, 6-4, 190, 4.7, Fayette (AL) HS. February signee.
Co Co Hodge - Running back, 6-1, 235, 4.6, Clinton (MS) HS. Second-Team All-State. February signee.
Clarence McDougal - Defensive back, 6-1, 200, 4.46, Clinton (MS) HS. First-Team All-State. February signee.
Chris McNeil - Offensive lineman (Center), 6-5, 280, 5.0, Petal (MS) HS. First-Team All-State. February signee.
Rico Bennett - Defensive back, 6-1, 190, 4.5, Brandon HS. Febuary signee.
Ron Fields - Defensive lineman, 6-3, 285, 4.85, Prep School. Not sure if he will sign in December or February.
Tim Love - East Miss CC defensive lineman, 6-2, 310, 4.9. February signee.
Corey Brown - Butler County (KS) CC linebacker, 6-2, 225, 4.5/4.6. A February signee.
Thad Cribbs - East Miss. CC defensive back, 6-0, 185, 4.38. A May grad who has three years to play three. February signee.
Johnny Thomas - Holmes County (MS) CC defensive lineman, 6-3, 295, 4.7. February signee.
Kamau Jackson - Co-Lin (MS) CC linebacker, 6-0, 230, 4.6. Febuary signee.
Johnny Rutherford - Co-Lin (MS) CC defensive back, 6-1, 180, 4.4. February signee.
Keeshan Lowe - Co-Lin (MS) CC defensive lineman, 6-2, 278, 5.0. December signee.
Richard Ball - Fort Scott (KS) CC cornerback, 6-1, 195, 4.4. December signee.
12/11/00 - Recruiting News:
12/10/00 - Recruiting News:
MSU Football News:
Click here to read an ok article about the upcoming Independence Bowl written from a Dallas News writer's perspective.
12/09/00 - MSU Football News:
The Mississippi State University Alumni Association invites you to join your fellow Bulldogs in the "Bulldog Gathering Area" at the Sonic Drive-In Tailgate Party. Come by for your special Independence Bowl button and "Beat Texas A&M" sticker.
The Tailgate Party is Sunday, December 31, 2000, from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Hirsch Coliseum (next to the stadium) in Shreveport, Louisiana. Tickets are $3 each and are available at the door.
The indoor "Louisiana Style" pregame kickoff party will feature Johnny Earthquake and the Moondog's, and plenty of food, drinks and fun. Food and drink concessions will be available highlighting the diversity of North Louisiana. Big screen televisions will be showing the pro football games in the afternoon.
See you there!
If there are MSU groups that are having Independence Bowl parties for the Bulldog fans in your area who are not able to go to the bowl game, please email your info to me and I will post it on my football skuttle-butt section and in my events skuttle-butt section.
MSU has tickets priced at $25 and $30 still available for sale. As of Friday afternoon, State had approximately 4,000 of its allotment of 12,000 tickets to the Independence Bowl remaining for sale. There is no limit to the number of tickets an individual may buy.
Mississippi State and Texas A&M kickoff the 2000 Sanford Independence Bowl on December 31 at 7 p.m.
Reprinted with the permission of the MSU Athletic Department
12/08/00 - Recruiting News:
Womack, a 6-3, 346-pound senior from Cleveland, Miss., is the fourth Bulldog to earn all-American laurels this season. Both Pig Prather and Mario Haggan were named to the Sporting News' second team.
Womack helped the Bulldogs lead the Southeastern Conference in rushing, averaging 193.8 yards per game. His skills also helped to pave the way for wins over Florida and Auburn before he was sidelined for the last five games of the season with a leg fracture.
Womack joined four other SEC players on the second team. Florida placed offensive lineman Kenyatta Walker and defensive lineman Alex Brown, and Tennessee added place-kicker Alex Walls and defensive lineman John Henderson on the 22-man second team.
Reprinted with the permission of the MSU Athletic Department
12/07/00 - Recruiting News:
12/06/00 - Here are three MSU official press releases:
Any Bulldog Club member may purchase a maximum of four bowl tickets and any football season ticket holder without donor priority will be permitted to purchase the number of season tickets purchased (not to exceed four tickets) during the 2000 football season, the ticket office announced.
The Mississippi State athletic ticket office reserved the first two days of bowl ticket sales for MSU's 2000 football full-price season ticket holders who held membership in the Bulldog Club, the school's athletic fund-raising organization.
Student tickets, priced at $25 each, will go on sale beginning Thursday, Dec. 7, at 1 p.m. at the Bryan Athletic Administration Building ticket office. MSU students may purchase one bowl ticket per valid student identification card, with a maximum of two IDs per student.
State's nine selections were tied by Florida for the most picks in the league and were an all-time MSU record.
Bulldog senior offensive tackle Pork Chop Womack, sophomore linebacker Mario Haggan, senior cornerback Fred Smoot and junior strong safety Pig Prather were all accorded first-team, all-SEC status. Only Florida and Tennessee matched MSU's four first-team selections.
State senior center Michael Fair, junior tailback Dicenzo Miller, senior place-kicker Scott Westerfield, junior defensive end Conner Stephens, and senior defensive tackle Willie Blade all received second-team recognition.
Westerfield, who has a 3.93 grade point average in civil engineering, is the only Southeastern Conference player on the Verizon Academic All-America first team.
To be nominated for the award, the student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.2 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) for his career.
12/05/00 (10:30 a.m.)
Recruiting News Update:
12/05/00
MSU Recruiting News:
As always, STAY POSITIVE when talking or writing about recruits.
MSU Football News:
Mississippi State senior cornerback Fred Smoot was named first-team, all-America by The Sporting News, the magazine announced in its Nov. 29 edition.
Smoot, a 6-1, 179-pound senior from Jackson, Miss., has now been named first-team, all-America by the Walter Camp Foundation, The Football News, and The Sporting News.
Smoot was one of just two Southeastern Conference players named to TSN's All-America first team. Defensive tackle John Henderson of Tennessee was the only other league player selected to the first team.
MSU defensive standouts Mario Haggan, a 6-3, 258-pound sophomore linebacker from Clarksdale, Miss., and Pig Prather, a 6-3, 192-pound junior strong safety from Falkner, Miss., were named to The Sporting News All-America second team.
Mississippi State led all SEC schools with three selections on TSN's all-America teams. Only Florida State (5) and Oklahoma (4) had more honorees nationally on TSN's first two teams.
The MSU athletic ticket office will continue taking orders from full-priced season ticket holders with Bulldog Club priority through Friday, Dec. 8. Individual members are limited to the number of 2000 season tickets purchased at full price, not to exceed the limit in the following priority categories: Intercollegiate Champion, Top Dog, VIP, Silver and Endowed Scholarship (6 each), and Option Seats, Superdog, Maroon, White, Century and M-Club (4 each). Ticket orders will also be accepted from MSU Faculty/Staff who purchased 2000 MSU football season tickets. They may order two bowl game tickets each.
Mississippi State has been issued 12,000 tickets for the game, 1,000 of which will be used for MSU students. Student tickets will be sold beginning at 1 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 7, at the Bryan Athletic Administration Building. Tickets are $30 apiece for priority orders and $25 for student tickets. Each student will be limited to one ticket per valid MSU student identification card, with a limit of two IDs per student. Any tickets remaining after Friday, Dec. 8, will go on sale Monday, Dec. 11, on a first-come, first-served basis.
The MSU athletic ticket office will take orders by telephone (662-325-2600 or 1-888-GO-DAWGS [1-888-46-32947]) and over the counter at the John H. Bryan Athletic Administration Building ticket office during regular business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT). No fax or e-mail orders will be accepted.
Reprinted with the permission of the MSU Athletic Department
12/03/00 - Recruiting News:
As alway, STAY POSITIVE when talking or writing about players.
Football News:
The 2000 Sanford Independence Bowl announced Sunday that it has selected Mississippi State from the Southeastern Conference and Texas A&M of the Big 12 as participants in its postseason bowl game, scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 31, at 7 p.m. (CT) in Independence Stadium in Shreveport, La.
It is the third consecutive postseason bowl game for the Bulldogs and the sixth under head football coach Jackie Sherrill. It is MSUšs 12th bowl game overall, but first-ever Independence Bowl berth.
Beginning Monday, Dec. 4, at 8 a.m., the MSU athletic ticket office will receive orders for the Independence Bowl only from full-priced football season ticket holders who have a Bulldog Club priority. Individual members are limited to the number of 2000 season tickets purchased at full price, not to exceed the limit in the following priority categories: Intercollegiate Champion, Top Dog, VIP, Silver and Endowed Scholarship (6 each), and Option Seats, Superdog, Maroon, White, Century and M-Club (4 each). Ticket orders will also be accepted from MSU Faculty/Staff who purchased 2000 MSU football season tickets. They may order two bowl game tickets each.
Mississippi State has been issued 12,000 tickets for the game, 1,000 of which will be used for MSU students. Student tickets will be sold beginning at 1 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 7, at the Bryan Athletic Administration Building. Tickets are $30 apiece for priority orders and $25 for student tickets. Each student will be limited to one ticket per valid MSU student identification card, with a limit of two IDs per student. Any tickets remaining after Friday, Dec. 8, will go on sale Monday, Dec. 11, on a first-come, first-served basis.
The MSU athletic ticket office will take orders by telephone (662-325-2600 or 1-888-GO-DAWGS) and over the counter at the John H. Bryan Athletic Administration Building ticket office during regular business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT). No fax or e-mail orders will be accepted.
Reprinted with the permission of the MSU Athletic Department
12/03/00 - Recruiting News:
As always, STAY POSITIVE when posting comments about recruits on mine or any other message board. Your comments do make a difference.
12/02/00 - Recruiting News:
12/01/00 (2:00 p.m.) - Very important information; please read. Anything that might be remotely negative that you and I are posting on my page, whether it be on my skuttle-butt section or on my message board, about high school or junior college players is being read by the players and, in some cases, being printed and given or sent to players. Each time we post something negative we have made it that much harder for our coaches to recruit these players. Our coaches are already battling coaches all over the south for these players. Because of this, it is very, very important that you not post negative comments about players. Even if the player says that he is not interested in MSU or is going to sign elsewhere, please do not say anything negative about that player. These are kids we are talking about; one week they may say they are going to sign with such and such school and the next week they may say they are going to sign with MSU.
Every positive thing you can do to help our coaches makes it that much easier for them to continue to move our program forward. Every negative thing that you do or say makes it that much harder on them.
Stay positive!
12/01/00 - My sources are telling me that it looks like Texas Christian University head football coach Dennis Franchione will be the new head football coach at Alabama.
Recruiting News:
The rumor is Hinds CC defensive lineman Andrew Williams will be officially visiting MSU this weekend. Williams is considered one of the top defensive linemen in the junior college ranks. Miami is considered the leader for his signature.