No. 18 Bulldogs Host LA Tech for Homecoming
STARKVILLE – No. 18 Mississippi State steps out of Southeastern Conference play Saturday when it welcomes Louisiana Tech for Homecoming at 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network.
The Bulldogs (5-3) are coming off a 28-13 win against No. 16 Texas A&M. LA Tech (6-2) has won three in a row and sits in second place in the Conference USA West division standings.
For complete gameday and stadium information, visit HailState.com/gameday.
Viewing InformationThe game will be televised live on SEC Network with Dave Neal (play-by-play), D.J. Shockley (analyst) and Dawn Davenport (reporter) calling the action. Live streaming video is available via the Watch ESPN app and WatchESPN.com.Listening InformationThe MSU Sports Network C Spire Tailgate Show goes live at 4:30 p.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 the TuneIn app. Fans in Starkville and inside Davis Wade Stadium can tune to 100.9 FM. Tickets
The Davis Wade Stadium ticket office opens at 3:30 p.m. Tickets are also available for purchase on HailState.com.
Gates Open at Davis Wade Stadium
All gates will open at 4:15 p.m.
Fan Zone
The C Spire Fan Zone opens at 2:30 p.m.
Dawg Walk
The "Dawg Walk" will take place at 4:15 p.m. in the Junction. What to WearStripeoutSocial 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.
By the Numbers
387 – Consecutive carries without a lost MSU fumble among all positions, dating back to last season
9 – Offensive touchdowns allowed by Bob Shoop's Bulldog defense this season, the fewest in the FBS
8 – Straight wins vs. SEC teams when allowing less than 100 yards rushing dating back to the 34-29 win at No. 8 LSU in 2014
6 – Career SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors by QB Nick Fitzgerald, the most in MSU history
2 – Touchdowns allowed by MSU's defense in its opponents' last 40 offensive possessions this season
Five Things to Know
1. MSU finds itself in familiar territory - among the best in college football and in the first edition of the College Football Playoff Rankings at No. 18 on Oct. 30. The Bulldogs are one of seven ranked SEC squads, joining top-ranked Alabama, No. 3 LSU, No. 6 Georgia, No. 9 Kentucky, No. 11 Florida and No. 20 Texas A&M. There have been 26 College Football Playoff rankings since the formula’s inception in 2014. MSU has been ranked in 17 of them, which is the fourth-highest total in the SEC behind Alabama (26), LSU (22) and Auburn (19).
2. DT Jeffery Simmons and DE Montez Sweat, the best defensive line duo in America, were both named semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award on Oct. 29 by the Maxwell Football Club. The Bednarik Award is presented annually to the college defensive player of the year by the Maxwell Football Club. The field of contenders is comprised of 20 candidates, featuring a representative from every Power 5 conference. Simmons is one of two returners from last year's semifinal list. MSU is one of just five schools with multiple semifinalists, joining Alabama, Clemson, LSU and Washington.
3. MSU owns a 55-21-3 all-time record in Homecoming games. The Bulldogs have won eight straight Homecoming games, defeating UAB, UT Martin (twice), Middle Tennessee, Bowling Green, Louisiana Tech, Samford and Kentucky last season. MSU has won 11 out of its last 12 Homecoming games. The only loss during that stretch was to Houston on Oct. 10, 2009 by a score of 31-24.
4. Led by defensive coordinator Bob Shoop, MSU ranks inside the top 16 nationally inside an astounding 16 different defensive statistical categories. MSU, Clemson and Michigan are the only three schools in the FBS whose defense ranks inside the top 16 nationally in scoring defense, total defense, rushing defense and passing defense.
5. Nick Fitzgerald, the reigning SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week, set the school record for 100-yard rushing games (18) with 131 yards at No. 5 LSU. MSU boasts a 15-3 record in those games. Fitzgerald's two rushing touchdowns against No. 16 Texas A&M tied Anthony Dixon (2006-09) for the school record (42). Fitzgerald's nine rushing touchdowns this season are second in the SEC among all players and tied for the second-most among all Power 5 quarterbacks.
Series History
– MSU and Louisiana Tech are meeting for the 14th time with State holding a 10-3 advantage
– Four of the last seven meetings have been decided by eight points or less but MSU has claimed the last two meetings by 25 points or more
– This is the third time the two teams have met in Starkville since 1997 and the first since a 45-20 State win on Oct. 17, 2015
– The largest margin of victory in the series was a 48-0 win by MSU on Oct. 8, 1938
– State’s 57 points last year in Ruston was the highest point tally by any team in the series, which dates back to 1904
– MSU is 9-2 vs. LA Tech in Starkville and the last time LA Tech won in Davis Wade Stadium was Sept. 21, 1996
– This is the second time that LA Tech serves as MSU's Homecoming opponent (2015).
Metal Detector ProceduresIn 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 have been 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 CampusDavis Wade Stadium is a clear air facility. Smoking in any form is prohibited on campus. For more details, visit smokefree.msstate.edu. 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 official fan service and game day information hub of Mississippi State Athletics.
