Turnovers doom Bulldogs in College Station

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Even though Mississippi State found itself down in the second half, the Bulldogs were able to shift some momentum to their side.

Dulaney make sure coaches see all football film

STARKVILLE — Brock Dulaney always knew he wanted to be involved with athletics, particularly the college game.

Dulaney said his wife, Michelle, joked with him about “not ever leaving college.” But Dulaney wouldn’t want to work anywhere else, and couldn’t imagine himself working at a 9-5 job.

Freshman Wright answers call at running back for EMCC

ELLISVILLE — East Mississippi Community College coach Buddy Stephens called his rushing attack “a three-headed monster” earlier in the season.

On Thursday night at Bobcat Stadium, one monster was enough to get the job done.

Freshman Isaiah Wright enjoyed his first three-touchdown rushing night as No. 7 EMCC rolled over Jones Junior College 49-7 in its final non-division game.

‘He never stopped’

Last summer, Tiberias Lampkin’s life took a turn for the worst.

MSU ready to defend plenty of passes

STARKVILLE — These are the games Taveze Calhoun and Will Redmond live for.

After seeing mostly running teams through the Mississippi State football team’s first four games, the senior cornerbacks are ready to play a pass-oriented offense at 6:30 p.m. Saturday (SEC Network) when No. 21 MSU (3-1, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) faces No. 14 Texas A&M (4-0, 1-0) in College Station, Texas.

Zuppardo needs to find identity for MSU

STARKVILLE — Johnny Zuppardo is an unknown to many fans of the Mississippi State men’s basketball team.

The senior forward has yet to play a game for the Bulldogs. After graduating from St. Stanislaus, a Catholic day and boarding school for boys in grades 7-12 in Bay St. Louis, Zuppardo began his college career at Arkansas State in 2011-12. He appeared in 24 games and averaged 1.3 points and one rebound. He transferred to Southern Mississippi, but didn’t play a game there after sitting out due to the NCAA transfer rules. He then transferred to Jones County Junior College, where he helped the Bobcats win the National Junior College Athletic Association championship in 2013-14. He transferred to MSU prior to last season, but he missed the campaign after tearing the meniscus and the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Strong non-conference start imperative for Bulldogs

STARKVILLE — First-year Mississippi State coach Ben Howland wouldn’t have picked Eastern Washington to open the season with.

Graves growing into role as kicker with Bulldogs

STARKVILLE – After the loss to LSU, Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen said the 52-yard field goal that Devon Bell missed was not in Westin Graves’ range.

Bulldogs could be in for shootout vs. Aggies

STARKVILLE — The last three games between the Mississippi State and Texas A&M football teams have been high-scoring affairs.

They might even be described as shootouts. Last season in Starkville, the Bulldogs won 48-31. In 2013 in College Station, Texas, the Aggies claimed a 51-41 victory. A year earlier, Johnny Manziel led Texas A&M to a 38-13 win in Starkville — the most lopsided game since the Aggies joined the Southeastern Conference a little more than four years ago.

MSU will try to build on big SEC road win

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen said his team is back in the Southeastern Conference Western Division race after beating Auburn 17-9 Saturday night.

MSU lost to LSU 21-19 in week two in its SEC opener at Davis Wade Stadium. MSU had a chance to win, but Devon Bell missed a 52-yard field goal in the final seconds.

In a game MSU needed to keep its SEC Championship hopes alive, the Bulldogs received a solid effort from their defense and a strong effort from senior quarterback Dak Prescott (29 of 41 for 270 yards). The victory helped MSU (3-1, 1-1 SEC) climb back into the national rankings (No. 21 in The Associated Press poll; No. 22 Amway Coaches poll).

Bulldogs extend Tigers’ misery with win on the Plains

AUBURN, Ala. – Mississippi State’s defense was pushed to the limit against an Auburn Tiger offense that was trying to find it’s identity.

MSU Sidebar: Prescott does even more for MSU offense

AUBURN, Ala. — Dak Prescott is used to carrying the offensive load for Mississippi State, but it was taken to another level Saturday night.

MSU Notebook: Special teams play pleases Mullen

AUBURN, Ala. — Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen was pleased with the play of his special teams Saturday night.

Starkville High rolls over Callaway in Region 2-6A action

JACKSON – Callaway High School wasn’t enough competition for Starkville High School Friday night, so the offense and defense decided to challenge each other.

White working to make sure Bulldogs eat healthier

STARKVILLE — Kelly White knew she could make a difference for the Mississippi State athletic department.

While working at Oktibbeha County Hospital Regional Center, White already had a working relationship with MSU Director of Sports Medicine Mary McLendon, and many Bulldog athletes came to see White at the hospital. As a result, White talked to different MSU teams on campus about eating right, but she wanted more involvement, so she met with different people in the athletic department and laid out a plan as to why it needed a dietitian for all sports on campus.

5 Things to Watch in Mississippi State-Auburn

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State football team is looking for consecutive victories against Auburn for the first time since it won four straight in the series from 1997-2000.

Last season, MSU won 38-23 in Starkville, so the stage is set for MSU (2-1, 0-1 Southeastern Conference) to accomplish that goal when it takes on Auburn (2-1, 0-1) at 6:30 p.m. Saturday (ESPN2) in Auburn, Alabama.

Peters, McLaurin want to earn more playing time

STARKVILLE — Jamal Peters and Mark McLaurin were certain they were going to be redshirted this season.

The Mississippi State freshman safeties entered the week of the season opener against Southern Mississippi pessimistic about their chances to earn playing time. But it was all in their heads, as Peters played against the Golden Eagles and McLaurin played in the team’s second game against LSU.

Sword, Thomas hope to have big roles as seniors

STARKVILLE — Craig Sword believes he and Fred Thomas are the most important pieces entering this season.

The senior guards have been through all the highs and lows with the Mississippi State men’s basketball program in the past three seasons. Sword has led the Bulldogs in scoring the last three years, while Thomas has been one of the team’s top defensive players.

MSU first-year head coach Ben Howland brought in a talented freshman class with Malik Newman and Quinndary Weatherspoon at the guard positions, but Sword and Thomas will play vital roles this season.

Nerves put away as Staley shines in MSU debut

STARKVILLE – Elijah Staley was overcome by nerves before he stepped on Scott Field at Davis Wade Stadium Saturday.

MSU-Auburn should be pivotal SEC game

STARKVILLE — In the last few years, the winner of the Mississippi State-Auburn football game has gone on to have a good season.

Last season, MSU won 38-23 in Starkville and rose to No. 1 in The Associated Press, where it stayed for five weeks, en route to a second-place finish in the Southeastern Conference’s Western Division.