Mississippi State will play North Carolina State in Belk Bowl

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State football team will get a chance to finish the 2015 season on a high note.

After losing to Ole Miss 38-27 in the Battle for the Golden Egg on Nov. 28, MSU (8-4) learned Sunday it will get a chance to redeem itself against North Carolina State (7-5) at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30 (ESPN), in the Belk Bowl in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Starkville basketball squads open region play by sweeping Callaway

STARKVILLE — Tyson Carter is getting a lot of attention from opposing teams.

Starkville routs Petal to win MHSAA Class 6A state championship

OXFORD — Ricky Woods has developed a reputation of winning championships.

Bell has been leader on defense for Starkville

STARKVILLE — Maleke Bell has seen a lot of positive things happen on the gridiron.

The Starkville High School senior defensive lineman won a state championship as a freshman in 2012. He was the only freshman to play in that title run. In 2013, Bell helped the Yellow Jackets make it to the second round of the playoffs in 2013. Last season, he played a key role in the team’s march to the North Half state championship game last season.

Montgomery has matured into leader for Starkville

STARKVILLE — Montario Montgomery learned a lot about himself in his first career start.

Playing against a reigning state champion on the road can provide a lot of lessons for anyone.

For Montgomery, his debut as starter for the Starkville High School football team against Noxubee County had plenty of ups and down. Montgomery helped the Yellow Jackets rally from a 13-point deficit to tie the game, but he couldn’t lead a scoring drive in either overtime in a 26-20 in the season opener in Macon.

Defense improving for MSU men

STARKVILLE — Defense continues to be a point of emphasis for Ben Howland.

The Mississippi State first-year men’s basketball coach focused on offense when he took over the program in March. While the Bulldogs started the week second in the Southeastern Conference in field goal percentage (49.9 percent), the defense, which was last in points allowed (77.3 per game) and opponents’ field goal percentage (46.9), hasn’t pleased Howland.

Mullen interviews at Miami

The college football season is ending and, as often is the case, Dan Mullen is being mentioned as a possible replacement at vacant head coaching jobs.

MSU men’s basketball looks to extend win streak

STARKVILLE — Gavin Ware is having fun this season.

MSU’s Weatherspoon earns SEC honor

STARKVILLE — Quinndary Weatherspoon might have been in Malik Newman’s shadow during the college basketball recruiting process, but the standout from Velma Jackson High School is making a name for himself at Mississippi State.

On Monday, Weatherspoon was named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week for his career-high 16-point performance in a 76-51 victory against Tennessee Martin on Saturday.

MSU will try to re-focus for bowl game

STARKVILLE — It wasn’t an easy loss for the Mississippi State football team to take.

MSU’s 38-27 loss to Ole Miss on Saturday night at Davis Wade Stadium in the Battle for the Golden Egg marked the second year in a row the Rebels walked away with the Egg Bowl trophy.

But as much as the loss stings, MSU (8-4, 4-4 Southeastern Conference) still has another game to play. As one of 10 bowl eligible teams from the SEC, MSU coach Dan Mullen said his team will turn its focus to preparing to win the last game of the 2015 season.

Ware leads MSU to victory

STARKVILLE — Gavin Ware is on a mission.

The senior center wanted to be an integral part of the Mississippi State men’s basketball team’s success this season, but he knew he needed to improve in every aspect. When Ben Howland replaced Rick Ray as MSU’s coach in March, Ware’s maturation was one of his top priorities.

Through six games, the work is paying off.

Playing on road doesn’t bother Ole Miss

STARKVILLE — Hugh Freeze knew the odds were stacked against the Ole Mis football team playing on the road in the Battle for the Golden Egg.

But it didn’t seem to bother him or the Rebels.

Kelly wins in Egg Bowl debut

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State had no answer for Chad Kelly.

The Ole Miss quarterback capped a four-play, 62-yard drive with a 27-yard touchdown to give Ole Miss an early lead

That was just the beginning of Kelly’s night.

Ole Miss uses fast start to beat MSU

STARKVILLE — Dak Prescott was emotional before kickoff.

The Mississippi State quarterback was honored along with 15 other seniors prior to their final game at Davis Wade Stadium. Prescott was the last senior honored and the 62,265 fans cheered non-stop as he hugged coach Dan Mullen, Mullen’s wife, Megan, and the family that was there to support him.

Oxford beats West Point in rematch

OXFORD — Nick Melton’s main focus for the past week was the Oxford High School football team.

In fact, the Chargers were the main focus of the West Point senior linebacker and his team since they beat the Green Wave 50-28 on Sept. 25. The Green Wave focused on other opponents and won eight-straight games since the loss, but it was all in an effort to get a rematch with the Chargers.

Home-field advantage could mean a lot for MSU

STARKVILLE — Winning on the road hasn’t come easy in the Battle for the Golden Egg.

The home team in the Mississippi State-Ole Miss rivalry usually has been won by the home team when the game is played on campus. The game has been played in Columbus, Clarksdale, Tupelo, Greenwood, and Jackson in the past, but it was moved permanently to the schools’ campuses in 1991. Since then, the home team has won 17 times.

Rivals set to battle for Golden Egg

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen and Ole Miss football coach Hugh Freeze have winning records against their rivals.

Mullen is 4-2 against the Rebels, while Freeze is 2-1 against the Bulldogs, including a 31-17 victory last season in Oxford. Mullen won the first three games in his tenure, but is 1-2 in the last three.

The coaches will try to improve their records at 6:15 p.m. Saturday (ESPN2) when No. 23 MSU (8-3, 4-3 Southeastern Conference) plays host to No. 19 Ole Miss (8-3, 5-2) at Davis Wade Stadium in the 112th game in the series. The winner will earn bragging rights and the Egg Bowl trophy for the next year.

Howland’s Bulldogs still making adjustments on defense

STARKVILLE — Ben Howland says people probably view him as a defensive coach.

But the first-year Mississippi State men’s basketball team coach has seen his team struggle on defense in its first five games. Howland said when he took over the program in March that his focus was offense and working on shooting fundamentals. He believes the fast-pace offense he is trying to implement will help in the long run.

But practices this week have been all about defense.

Bell, Bulldogs ready for Egg Bowl battle

STARKVILLE — Devon Bell had a couple of big-time scholarship offers.

Starkville High ready for North State championship game

STARKVILLE — Maleke Bell and Starkville High School were ready to compete for a state championship last season.