MSU honors, remembers Josephs

STARKVILLE — It was an emotional week for Mississippi State.

The Bulldogs lost one of their own last week. Freshman defensive lineman Keith Joseph Jr. and his father, former Bulldog Keith Sr., were killed in a one-car accident Nov. 6. The tragedy hit the football program by surprise, especially the freshmen. Freshman safety Jamal Peters wore No. 99, Joseph Jr.’s number, with Joseph on the back to honor his fallen teammate Saturday afternoon in the team’s game against No. 3 Alabama.

Big plays doom MSU against Alabama

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen saw his defense play well for 52 of 55 plays Saturday afternoon.

MSU’s defense bottled up Alabama’s offense and gave it fits nearly all day, but the Crimson Tide busted three long plays and one on special teams for four touchdowns that proved to the difference in a 31-6 victory at Davis Wade Stadium.

Avery Brown has big night for SHS against Olive Branch

STARKVILLE — Avery Brown believes it’s all about how much heart you have.

The Starkville High School senior running back saw Olive Branch cut his team’s lead to 15 with 3 minutes, 54 seconds remaining Friday night. After a failed onside kick, the Yellow Jackets took over around midfield. On the ensuing play, Brown showed how much heart he had, dashing the Conquistadors’ hopes for a comeback with a 52-yard touchdown.

“I just had to do what I had to do to put the game away,” Brown said.

Alabama coming to Starkville for showdown with MSU

STARKVILLE — The Alabama football team remains a sticking point with Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen and quarterback Dak Prescott.

Mullen and Prescott have beaten every Southeastern Conference team except Alabama and South Carolina, but the seventh-year coach and his senior quarterback will get a final chance to chance to do that at 2:30 p.m. Saturday (WCBI) when No. 20 MSU (7-2, 3-2 SEC) plays host to Alabama (8-1, 5-1) at Davis Wade Stadium.

Injury puts Jacobi on path to MSU

STARKVILLE — Dan Jacobi attended Central Florida with every intention of being a physical therapist.

Jacobi soon learned he was going to take another career path.

As a track runner at Tate High School in Cantonment, Florida, Jacobi suffered a hamstring injury. There was no one there to help him rehabilitate from the setback and give him advice on how to come back from the injury, so he decided to find out himself in college. All it took for Jacobi was for his academic advisor to tell him the best undergraduate degree to prepare for physical therapy was athletic training.

Howland era set to begin at MSU

STARKVILLE — I.J. Ready doesn’t care who plays for the Mississippi State men’s basketball team this season because they better be ready to win.

MSU remembers Josephs at service

Ryan Brown will never forget the first time he met Keith Joseph Jr.

Offensive line grows up for Bulldogs

STARKVILLE — Justin Malone is versatile.

Starkville High begins postseason play at home

STARKVILLE — Rontavis Clark is a confident person.

Bulldogs’ defense dominating in fourth quarter of play

STARKVILLE — Manny Diaz feels good about his defense in the fourth quarter.

Bulldogs cope with death of freshman football player

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen wasn’t his usual self Monday afternoon.

Bulldogs lead conference in red zone efficiency

STARKVILLE — Dan Mullen has confidence in his offense when they find themselves in the red zone.

Streaks will be on line when No. 3 Alabama faces No. 20 Mississippi State

STARKVILLE — Dan Mullen showed some real emotion Thursday night as walked out of Memorial Stadium.

The Mississippi State football coach had just watched his team beat Missouri 31-13 Thursday night to improve to 7-2 and 3-2 in the Southeastern Conference. As he waved to fans, he took pictures with a few of them who were waiting for the team to come off the field.

Starkville accomplishes Woods’ third goal

STARKVILLE — Ricky Woods always has five goals in the preseason.

The Starkville High School first-year head coach replaced Jamie Mitchell in the summer and presented his objectives — have a winning season, make the playoffs, win the district, win the North Half State championship, and win the state championship — to the team. The former South Panola High coach won four-straight state championships with the Tigers from 2003-06, so he knows what it takes to be one of the final two teams standing.

MSU mourns loss of Josephs

Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen went through one of the toughest challenges in his life five years ago.

MSU continues to be stingy in second half

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Kivon Coman understands what’s expected of him and his teammates in the fourth quarter.

The Mississippi State safety has been a part of a defense that has gotten better as a game goes on. The final quarter has been the Bulldogs’ best.

Jones disruptive force up front against Tigers

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Chris Jones was tired of seeing the Missouri quarterback Drew Lock not go down when he met him in the backfield.

The Mississippi State defensive tackle rushed after Lock two times. Both times he wrapped his arms around him only to have the freshman escape and deny Jones a sack.

Prescott leads No. 24 MSU past Missouri

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Dak Prescott felt something was about to happen with the Mississippi State football team’s offense.

After leaving Texas A&M on Oct. 3 with a 13-point loss, the MSU senior quarterback saw some good things from his offense, but he also saw areas that needed improvement. MSU had 406 yards, but it committed two turnovers that led to 13 points for Texas A&M.

MSU will try to beat Missouri to extend streak

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State football team hasn’t had the best of luck against Missouri.

The good news for the Bulldogs is both of their losses in the series came in the early 1980s.

MSU (6-2, 2-2 Southeastern Conference) will look to change its fortunes at 8 tonight (ESPN) when it takes on Missouri (4-4, 1-4) at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium.

Jakoby Jones emerges as starter for Starkville High

STARKVILLE — Jakoby Jones was at a crossroads.

The former East Oktibbeha County High School Titan didn’t know what his future held for him in football. When it was announced that the Oktibbeha County School District would consolidate with the Starkville School District in the fall of 2015, the first thought that went through Jones’ head was, “Oh boy.”