No. 16 Bulldogs Take Three-Game Win Streak into UMass Contest
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen and his 16th-ranked Bulldogs have stressed maintaining focus all week in preparation after big wins and carrying it into the following weekend. They aim to do that Saturday when MSU brings a three-game winning streak into a non-conference matchup against UMass at 11 a.m. CT. For complete gameday information, visit HailState.com/gameday.
State (6-2, 3-2 SEC) is bowl eligible for a school-record eighth straight season under Mullen, and they are seeking at least a 7-2 start for the fourth time in six seasons. UMass (2-6) is playing its best ball of the year. Winners of two in a row, the Minutemen’s six losses have been decided by 10 points or less and in the fourth quarter.
“I know it’s an 11 a.m. kick, but we need everyone to bring the juice and energy on Saturday,” Mullen said. “That electric environment gives us an incredible home-field advantage. Their record is deceiving, but look at their point differential. They have been in every game. We played a tough game against them last year. They play with an edge, and they are an excellent football team. Record doesn’t always tell the entire story, and we need to play better than we did at Texas A&M.”
Home-field advantage has been key for the Bulldogs in 2017. MSU is 4-0 at Davis Wade Stadium and has outscored opponents 166-24. All four home wins have been by at least 25 points.
When State establishes the run and defends it, it has proven to be tough to defeat. The Bulldogs are averaging 260.0 yards per game on the ground, good for 13th nationally and the best mark by an MSU squad since putting up 280.0 in 1985.
Todd Grantham’s defensive unit is ranked in the Top 25 nationally in five categories: total defense (sixth - 281.8), passing defense (4th - 158.0), scoring defense (12th - 17.4), first down defense (1st - 12.6) and rushing defense (22nd - 123.8). The Bulldogs have intercepted six passes during the current three-game winning streak, including back-to-back weeks of one being returned at least 80 yards for a touchdown.
Tickets/Fan Zone The Davis Wade Stadium ticket office opens at 8 a.m. and all gates will open at 9 a.m. Tickets remain for the contest and are also available for purchase as low as $10 on HailState.com. The C Spire Fan Zone opens at 8 a.m. The “Dawg Walk” will take place at 9 a.m. in the Junction.
What To Wear It’s the 2017 “Blackout” game and all fans are encouraged to wear black.
Viewing Information The game will be televised live on SEC Network with Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play), Andre Ware (analyst) and Olivia Harlan (sideline) calling the action. Live streaming video is available via the ESPN app and WatchESPN.com.
Listening Information The MSU Sports Network C Spire Tailgate Show goes live at 9 a.m. 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 theTuneIn app. For fans in Starkville, they can tune to 100.9 FM.
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). Fans can also follow behind-the-scenes content via SnapChat by searching for HailStateSnap. Live stats are available via Stat Broadcast at MSU.StatBroadcast.com.
Clear Bag Policy Fans are reminded of the SEC’s league-wide clear bag policy this season. 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.
Golf Cart/Low-Speed Vehicle PolicyFans also are reminded that all privately owned golf carts are expected to operate in the same manner as an automobile or other motorized vehicle.
— All golf carts must comply with Mississippi Motor Vehicle and Traffic regulations. (See Miss. Code Annotated Title 63-1-1 seq.)— Operators of private golf carts must possess a valid driver’s license and proper insurance identifying the vehicle driven.— All privately owned golf carts operated on campus must possess a valid license plate.— Privately owned golf carts may only be operated on streets open for public traffic. Privately owned golf carts will not be allowed access to roadways closed prior to game time, such as Creelman Street, Barr Avenue, B.S. Hood Drive, and Stone Boulevard.— Without exception, private golf carts are prohibited on any grass or any tailgating areas, such as the Cullis Wade Depot lawn, Fan Fare area, the Junction, West Lawn tent area, or other areas on gameday.— Privately owned golf carts may not be driven alongside any closed road or on any sidewalks or grass.— Privately owned golf carts must possess a license plate and have a valid Bulldog Club Parking Pass or Public Paid Parking Pass to park in campus lots on gameday. As with automobiles, golf carts may not exit and re-enter reserved or pay lots on gamedays.— Violation of these rules could result in the issuance of traffic citations and other penalties, as outlined by state laws and/or university policies.— Privately owned all-terrain, four wheel, farm utility, “gators” or other side-by-side vehicles are also prohibited on campus.
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 mostly cloudy skies and temperatures at or slightly above 70 degrees at kickoff.
Series History This will be the second meeting between MSU and UMass. The Bulldogs played at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough last season and UMass returns the trip this year and again on Oct. 17, 2020 in Starkville.
MSU Sports Hall of Fame The 2017 MSU Sports Hall of Fame class will be formally recognized at a halftime ceremony on Saturday. The class includes Bill Buckley, Walt Harris, Mario Haggan, John Correro and Philip Still.
Times of Interest Time Clock Event
8:00:00 a.m. — Fan Zone Opens
8:00:00 a.m. — Davis Wade Stadium Ticket Office Opens
9:00:00 a.m. — Gates Open
9:00:00 a.m. — Dawg Walk
9:35:00 a.m. — Team On Field
10:01:00 a.m. 60:00 60-Minute Clock Countdown Begins
10:31:00 a.m. 30:00 Teams Leave Field
10:50:30 a.m. 10:30 National Anthem
10:51:30 a.m. 9:30 Flyover
10:56:00 a.m. 5:00 Mississippi State Intro Video
10:57:30 a.m. 3:30 Mississippi State Takes Field
10:58:00 a.m. 3:00 Coin Tos
s10:59:00 a.m. 2:00 UMass Takes Field
11:01:00 a.m. 0:00 Kickoff
