Film study has helped Bulldogs’ Jefferson

STARKVILLE — A.J. Jefferson spends a lot of his free time watching film.

The Mississippi State defensive lineman studies the action to see his mistakes so he can correct them. He also watches film to analyze his good plays and to break down offensive linemen he will face in an attempt to find ways to beat them.

Egg Bowl will move back to Thanksgiving in 2017

STARKVILLE — For the first time since 2013, the 2017 Battle for the Golden Egg will be played on Thanksgiving night, the Southeastern Conference announced Tuesday.

MSU will play host to Ole Miss on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017, at Davis Wade Stadium. It marks the first year of a multi-year agreement to play the Egg Bowl on Thanksgiving night. MSU didn’t specify what years past 2017 the Egg Bowl will be on Thanksgiving.

Mullen wants intense execution for four quarters

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen has been pleased with how his team has outscored South Alabama and South Carolina 41-0 in the first half in the first two games of the season.

But MSU has been outscored 35-6 in the third and fourth quarters in both games. The second-half letdown played an integral role in a 21-20 loss to the Jaguars.

Starkville Academy names Roberts new baseball coach

STARKVILLE — Brooks Roberts never complained he had to show up early and leave late.

He was doing the thing he discovered he was supposed to do in life: coach baseball. As an assistant for the Starkville Academy baseball team, Roberts was in charge of making sure the field was ready for practice or a game, the pitchers were in the right mind-set to be successful, and staying late after the game to get the field ready for the next day.

MSU’s Peters learning cornerback position

STARKVILLE — Jamal Peters was playing safety three weeks ago.

Nick Weatherspoon announces commitment to MSU basketball team

Nick Weatherspoon is no stranger to the Mississippi State basketball program.

Fitzgerald realizes dream in leading Bulldogs past Gamecocks

STARKVILLE — Since he was 6 years old, Nick Fitzgerald dreamed of starting and winning a Southeastern Conference game.

From the quarterback position, he could imagine himself leading his team to victory and his teammates mobbing him as the final seconds ticked off.

Fitzgerald saw that dream come true Saturday night.

In his second career start, Fitzgerald turned in a record-setting performance in the Mississippi State football team’s 27-14 victory against South Carolina at Davis Wade Stadium.

MSU defense delivers dominating performance

STARKVILLE — Richie Brown needed time to himself to go through his emotions last Sunday.

The Mississippi State senior linebacker had to process losing the season opener South Alabama. It was something he never imagined was going to happen. The offense had its struggles, so did the defense.

The defensive performance didn’t sit well with Brown, and it challenged him, his teammates, and his coaches to do a better of job. As he thinks back on the 21-20 loss, it isn’t all that bad.

Simmons impresses in MSU debut

STARKVILLE — Jeffery Simmons finally got to make his collegiate debut.

The Mississippi State football defensive lineman came under fire when a video surfaced of him striking a woman. Simmons pled no contest to simple assault and was found guilty of malicious mischief. The former Noxubee County High School standout was allowed to enroll at MSU and was assessed a one-game suspension.

Wildcats capitalize on Tigers’ struggles

MACON — Noxubee County High School football coach Tyrone Shorter didn’t have to worry about his quarterback the last three seasons.

Timorrius Conner parlayed back-to-back Mississippi High School Activities Associations (MHSAA) Class 4A State championships into an opportunity to play at East Mississippi Community College in Scooba.

Five Questions for South Carolina-MSU

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen knows the importance of conference openers.

In his previous seven seasons, Mullen is 2-5 in Southeastern Conference openers. The wins came in 2012 against Auburn and in 2014 against LSU. MSU finished 4-4 in 2012 and second in the SEC Western Division in 2014 with a 6-2 record.

Mullen hopes his Bulldogs can duplicate the results of 2012 and 2014 at 6 p.m. Saturday (ESPN2) when they play host to South Carolina (1-0, 1-0) in its SEC opener at Davis Wade Stadium. SEC Nation, SEC Network’s on-campus pre-game show, will be live from the Junction at 9 a.m.

South Carolina’s Orth wants to build on family success in Starkville

Perry Orth is feeling a little more pressure this week.

The South Carolina senior quarterback kept receiving videos from his mother, Anna, last Saturday. Anna was in Starkville to watch South Alabama beat Mississippi state 21-20 at Davis Wade Stadium. Perry’s younger brother, Evan, is a backup quarterback for the Jaguars.

Lewis finds niche in first start with Bulldogs

STARKVILLE — As Leo Lewis thinks about his collegiate debut, he is surprised with how well he played.

MSU offense continues to look for answers

STARKVILLE — After a first half filled with offensive highs, the Mississippi State football team couldn’t replicate that in the second half.

MSU Notebook: MSU turns up heat on practice field

STARKVILLE — As Fred Ross let the question sink in, he let out a breath and shook his head.

MSU will try to regroup vs. South Carolina

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen isn’t hitting the panic button after a season-opening loss to South Alabama.

MSU entered its game against South Alabama as a four-touchdown favorite. The Bulldogs built a 17-0 lead only to see the Jaguars rally and then escape Davis Wade Stadium with a 21-20 victory after Westin Graves missed a 28-yard field goal in the final seconds.

Starkville Academy’s Methvin, Dempsey forming dynamic duo

STARKVILLE — Noah Methvin and Dalton Dempsey work well together.

The relationship between a quarterback and a running back might not be as essential as the relationship between a quarterback and his offensive line, but they must work well together. Through three games, Methvin and Dempsey are clicking for the Starkville Academy football team.

Jaguars upwardly Mobile: South Alabama upsets MSU

STARKVILLE — As the sun beat down on a half-empty Davis Wade Stadium, Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen was faced with an improbable situation.

After watching MSU build a 17-0 halftime lead, Mullen was left to give his team’s fate to kicker Westin Graves with nine seconds remaining. A four-touchdown favorite entering Saturday’s season opener against South Alabama, Mullen had to hope Graves was going to revert to the form that saw him make two field goals earlier in the game, including a career-long 48-yarder.

Williams doesn’t remain backup QB long

STARKVILLE — Damian Williams’ role as a backup didn’t last long.

The Mississippi State junior quarterback served as Nick Fitzgerald’s backup Saturday at the start of the season-opening game against South Alabama at Davis Wade Stadium, but Williams entered the game after two series and led a touchdown drive on his first series. From there, Williams played all but one series and statistically had a solid day, but he and the Bulldogs came up on the short end of a 21-20 upset.

Eighteen players make debuts for MSU vs. South Alabama

STARKVILLE — After a lot of turnover in the offseason, 18 players made their debuts Saturday in the Mississippi State football team’s season-opening 21-20 loss to South Alabama at Davis Wade Stadium.

Redshirt freshman linebacker Leo Lewis was one of those players who saw his first playing time. He led MSU with nine tackles (two for loss).