Gameday: Bulldogs, Florida Clash at Sold-Out Davis Wade Stadium
STARKVILLE – In front of a sold-out Davis Wade Stadium, No. 19 Mississippi State will face its second consecutive SEC East school when it hosts Florida at 5 p.m. CT Saturday on ESPN. For complete gameday information, visit HailState.com/gameday.
Saturday's showdown will be the 55th meeting between the Bulldogs (3-1, 0-1 SEC) and Gators (3-1, 1-1 SEC) dating back to 1923.
In what has annually become one of the SEC Network's premier visits, "SEC Nation" will originate from the Junction from 9-11 a.m. CT Saturday. "SEC Nation", the network's traveling gameday show, is in its fifth season on SEC Network. The lineup features former NFL and SEC players Tim Tebow and Marcus Spears, host Laura Rutledge, media personality Paul Finebaum and reporter Lauren Sisler.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early as the pit will open at 7:30 a.m. CT Saturday. The first 300 fans will receive free T-shirts. Free Hardee's sausage biscuits will be given out. In addition, two pregame sideline passes will be awarded to the fans with the "best sign." Double Hail State Rewards points will be given to students in attendance. Double Bully's Kids Club points will be given to kids in attendance.
Viewing Information
The game will be televised live on ESPN with Dave Pasch (play-by-play), Greg McElroy (analyst) and Tom Luginbill (reporter) calling the action. Live streaming video is available via the Watch ESPN app and WatchESPN.com.
Listening Information
The MSU Sports Network C Spire Tailgate Show goes live at 3 p.m. CT Neil Price, Matt Wyatt and Jay Perry will call the game on the network (check for affiliates here). Live audio is also available for FREE at HailState.com and via the TuneIn app. For fans in Starkville, they can tune to 100.9 FM.
Tickets
The Davis Wade Stadium ticket office opens at 2 p.m. CT and all gates will open at 2:45 p.m. CT. Tickets for Saturday's showdown are sold out. Fans are encouraged to visit StubHub as the official fan to fan ticket marketplace of Mississippi State Athletics. The C Spire Fan Zone opens at 1 p.m. CT. The "Dawg Walk" will take place at 2:45 p.m. CT in the Junction.
What To Wear
Wear White
Social Media/Live Stats
Live updates from the game are available via MSU's official social media channels: Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (click the links). Live stats are available via Stat Broadcast at MSU.StatBroadcast.com.
Storylines
— It is the first meeting between the two schools since State escaped Gainesville with a 10-7 win over the then-No. 22 Gators on Oct. 16, 2010.
— MSU is 7-4 against Florida in games played in Starkville. The Gators won the last meeting in Starkville, 29-19 on Oct. 24, 2009. The Bulldogs' last victory in Starkville was on Oct. 23, 2004, when RB Jerious Norwood scored the game-winning TD on a 37-yard run with 32 seconds left in the game to give State the 38-31 win.
— MSU is No. 19 in the Amway Coaches Poll and No. 23 in the Associated Press Top 25. It's the 12th consecutive week that State has been ranked dating back to Oct. 29 last season.
— Nick Fitzgerald, a National Player of the Year candidate, has accounted for 81 career touchdowns – 43 passing, 38 rushing - which is second in school history behind only Dak Prescott (114). Fitzgerald scored a rushing touchdown last Saturday night for the 20th time in his career. The owner of 12 different school records, Fitzgerald is responsible for nine TDs this season – five rushing, four passing.
— Fitzgerald is only the third player in SEC history with at least 35 TDs both rushing and passing. Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow of Florida (2006-09) and Dak Prescott (2012-15) were the others.
— Preseason All-American NG Jeffery Simmons leads the SEC and is tied for eighth in the FBS in tackles for loss this season (7.5). DE Montez Sweat, also a preseason All-American, is second in the SEC and tied for 14th in the FBS in TFLs (7.0). Sweat also has 4.5 sacks, which ranks second in the SEC (Alabama's Isaiah Buggs has 5.0) and is tied for sixth in the FBS.
— Sweat and Simmons have combined for 14.5 tackles for loss in 2018. They are one of only two pair of defensive linemen in the nation to each record at least 7.0 tackles for loss through the first four games, joining Miami's (FL) Gerald Willis III (10.0) and Jonathan Garvin (8.5).
The Series: MSU vs. Florida
— MSU and Florida are meeting for the 55th time with the Gators holding a 33-19-2 all-time record.
— In games played in Starkville, State leads the series 7-4.
— Since 2000, the series has played to a 3-3 tie.
— This is the first time since the Sept. 29, 2001 meeting (No. 21) that State will be ranked at the time of the meeting.
— The two teams don't meet again in the regular season until 2025 in Gainesville.
— The largest victory for State in the series occurred on Oct. 1, 1992 (30-6) in Starkville.
— MSU is seeking back-to-back victories in the series for the first time since 1957-58.
— The road team has won the last two meetings.
— 536 miles separate the two campuses.
Metal Detector Procedures
In an effort to continue MSU's long-standing commitment to provide a safe and secure environment for all fans, coaches and student-athletes, walk-through metal detectors will be implemented at all gates of Davis Wade Stadium on football gamedays.
— When fans arrive at the gates of Davis Wade Stadium, they will be asked to follow the instructions of the security screening staff and place large metal objects such as phones, keys, cameras, approved seat cushions and cowbells in containers or in their clear bag on screening tables before passing through the walk-through metal detectors.
— Fans will not be required to remove belts, watches, wallets, jewelry, shoes, jackets, coins or other small objects.
— Fans are encouraged to arrive at Davis Wade Stadium gates approximately 30 minutes earlier than normal to ensure a smooth entry.
— A complete FAQ on the walk-through metal detectors process at Davis Wade Stadium is available at HailState.com/metaldetector.
Updated Parking Guidelines/ADA
— Visitors utilizing public parking lots on campus may notice two new changes. Through MSU's new partnership with SP+, fans can search, reserve and purchase in advance public parking spaces through ParkMobile.com or the ParkMobile.com app.
— Debit and credit cards are now the preferred option at public parking lots. For more on SP+ and ParkMobile.com, visit hailst.at/2PeyCfx.
— No tents, tables or chairs are permitted in parking spaces or on sidewalks.
— Parking on grass is permitted only in designated areas. (Available to general public)
— No parking is allowed on parking lot islands, medians, berms, or the shoulders of streets and roads.
— Parked vehicles must not obstruct traffic or pedestrian access to sidewalks.
— Parking spaces cannot be saved.
— Tailgating is permitted only in areas where traffic or parking is not obstructed and tailgaters must follow all picnic zone regulations.
— Parking areas must be cleared by 7 a.m. the day following the game.
— Reserved lot passes must be displayed at all times; misuse will result in loss of parking privileges.
— All buses must enter campus at the intersection of Hwy. 182 and George Perry St., turn east (left) on Bailey Howell Drive to Lee Blvd., and turn west (right) on Lee Blvd. to bus parking. Bus parking is available in front of Hilbun and Harned Halls (see map). Buses must exit campus via George Perry St. by turning north onto George Perry St. from Lee Blvd.
— REMINDER: Center campus roads close four (4) hours before kickoff (please see this map for road closure information (PDF)).
ADA Parking: Public and Reserved
— Please see this map for ADA parking lots. (PDF) On the map legend, ADA parking is blue. ADA season pass parking is light blue and is marked as Lots A, B and C.
— ADA public parking is now located in two parking lots...North ADA parking is located at the Research Park, off of Hwy 182. South ADA parking is located at the Rec Plex, off of Hailstate Blvd.
— Transit Services, beginning 4 hrs. before kickoff, will drop off North ADA at the Old Main Academic Building, and South ADA will drop off at Newell-Grissom.
— The Parking Assistance Center, is located in the Butler-Williams Building and, for assistance on gamedays, can be reached by calling 662-325-9114.
For MSU Football Gameday Parking locations/lots, please see this map. (PDF)
Clear Bag Policy
Fans are reminded of the SEC's league-wide clear bag policy. Fans are encouraged not to bring any types of bags inside SEC stadiums during football games; however, the following outlines bags that are permitted:
— Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12"
— One-gallon clear plastic freezer bags (Ziploc bag or similar)
— Small clutch bags, with or without a handle or strap, that do not exceed 4.5" x 6.5" (approximately the size of a hand)
— An exception will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at gates B and I of Davis Wade Stadium.
— Full details are available at HailState.com/clearbag.
Smoke Free Campus
Davis Wade Stadium is a clear air facility. Smoking in any form is prohibited on campus. For more details, visit smokefree.msstate.edu.
Weather
The forecast calls for partly cloudy skies, a 10 percent chance of rain and temperatures around 80 degrees.
Gameday Questions?
For complete gameday information including, parking maps, road closures, traffic, and other important game day schedule and fan and visitor guides, visit HailState.com/gameday. Fans with game day questions, can tweet @HailStateFamily, the new official fan service and game day information hub of Mississippi State Athletics.
