A QUICK LOOK AT - Mississippi St.

by Jack Witthaus

The Institution

School Quick Facts

Official Name:

Mississippi State University

Nickname:

Bulldogs

Location:

Starkville, MS

Enrollment:

21,424

Founded:

1878

Mascot:

Bully

Live Mascot:

Champ (English Bulldog)

Fight Song:

"Hail State"

SEC Division:

West

Mississippi State University is located in the small town of Starkville, Mississippi.

There is an odd history about the college town. In 1927, Charles Lindbergh landed a plane on its outskirts. Famous ballplayer Cool Papa Bell and legendary NFL receiver Jerry Rice were both born in Starkville.

Believe it or not, Johnny Cash was once arrested for public drunkenness in 1965 and held in the Starkville City Jail.

Like the town, MSU boasts many disjointed facts. The university contains a clock museum that has clocks that date back to the 18th century. Baseball juicer Rafael Palmeiero graduated from MSU. Also, Mississippi’s largest outdoor concert, the Bulldog Bash, is held each year at the university.

Mississippi St. Football

Football Quick Facts

Venue Name:

Davis Wade Stadium

Venue Capacity:

55,082

Venue Surface:

Artificial

First Season:

1895

Overall Record:

507-544-39

Last Season:

7-6 (2-6 SEC, Music City Bowl winner)

Head Coach:

Dan Mullen (21-17)

Football Rivals:

Ole Miss, Alabama, Kentucky

The Bulldog football program historically has not been that impressive. MSU is the only team we’ve covered that has an overall losing record.

Overall, MSU has captured one SEC title in 1941 and one division title in 1998. The over 100-year program has two consensus All-Americans.

It is interesting to note that Davis Wade Stadium, built in 1914, is the second oldest football stadium in Division I history.

Head coach Allyn Mckeen has the highest winning percentage in the Bulldog record books. Mckeen coached the 1941 squad that went 7-1-1 and captured MSU’s only SEC crown. The Bulldogs finished that year at No. 20 in the AP rankings.

With 75 victories, Jackie Sherrill is the winningest head coach in MSU history. He coached the program from 1991-2003 and made six bowl appearances.

One MSU tradition is ringing a cowbell during the games. Legend has it that a Jersey cow once wandered into the playing field during a game against rival Ole Miss. After MSU whooped the Rebels, the cowbell remained a fixture at Davis Wade Stadium.

Another tradition is MSU’s rivalry with Ole Miss. Nearly each season since 1901, the two teams square off in the “Egg Bowl,” which is a regular season game. Ole Miss leads the series 60-42-6, but the Bulldogs have won three straight meetings.

Dan Mullen has been head coach for each of the last three wins against Ole Miss. Mullen has lead the program in a positive direction. In 2010, Mullen coached MSU to its first wins ever over Georgia and Florida and has won three consecutive bowl games.

Currently, MSU holds the NCAA streak for most consecutive bowl wins at 5.

Mizzou does not have a scheduled game against Mississippi State this season.

Mississippi St. Basketball

Basketball Quick Facts

Venue Name:

Humphrey Coliseum

Venue Capacity:

10,500

First Season:

1908

Overall Record:

1537-863

Last Season:

21-12, (8-8 SEC)

Head Coach:

Rick Ray (0-0)

NCAA Final Fours:

1

Unlike in football, MSU has one of the better basketball programs in the SEC. The Bulldogs have won three SEC tournaments and six regular season championships, including an SEC record for most divisional championships with seven crowns. MSU also has made 10 NCAA tournament appearances.

Six out of the 10 appearances were under head coach Rick Stansbury, who retired last year after 14 seasons with the program. Stansbury has more wins (293) than any other MSU coach.

In 2004, Stansbury was named the SEC coach of the year after Mississippi State went 25-3 and made it to the second round of the Big Dance. Stansbury also holds the Bulldog record for most consecutive 20-win seasons at five. He did that twice in his time with MSU.

Last season was a disappointing year for MSU. At one time ranked, they were ranked No. 15 in the nation and had a 19-5 record, but fell to a 21-12 record, losing in the first round of the NIT.

Outside of Stansbury, notable Bulldog alumni include NBA Hall of Fame forward Bailey Howell and center Erick Dampier.

If Mizzou plays MSU at home this season, watch out. Humphrey Coliseum, nicknamed “The Hump,” is one of the loudest arenas in the SEC.