Articles by Brett Hudson
Differences in offenses proved to be bigger than MSU expected
TAMPA, Fla. — When Joe Moorhead was introduced as Mississippi State’s football coach 13 months ago, he felt there were enough similarities between his offense and his predecessor’s, Dan Mullen, to label the systems “same church, different pew.”
Missed opportunities doom MSU in Outback Bowl
TAMPA, Fla. — Nick Fitzgerald stood with his hands on his hips near the midfield logo of Raymond James Stadium and stared at nothing. The Mississippi State senior quarterback’s face was blank as bodies whizzed by him, some in jubilation and some in dejection, and he processed the end of his career as a Bulldog.
Hill returns from hit in fourth quarter
TAMPA, Fla. — Willie Gay Jr. had a moment of fear for Kylin Hill.
Moorhead uses QB Thompson in specialty package
TAMPA, Fla. — Keytaon Thompson touched the ball four times in the Outback Bowl but never attempted a pass.
If Mississippi State’s backup quarterback is Nick Fitzgerald’s successor in 2019, he will touch the ball much more often and likely do most of it as a passer.
MSU defense delivers another dominating day
TAMPA, Fla. — A familiar story played out Tuesday for the No. 18 Mississippi State football team.
No. 18 MSU’s defense held Iowa to -15 yards rushing on 20 carries in the Outback Bowl, but it wasn’t enough, as MSU lost 27-22.
Iowa beats No. 18 MSU in Outback Bowl
TAMPA — After a litany of missed opportunities, the No. 18 Mississippi State football team still had one more.
MSU will count on linebackers against physical Iowa attack
STARKVILLE — When Tem Lukabu was Colgate’s leading linebacker at the beginning of the millennium, the spread offense hadn’t reached the Patriot League. The league was still filled with traditional offenses that featured downhill running, fullbacks in active roles, and more pulling guards than quick screens.
Offensive line rotation has served Bulldogs well
STARKVILLE — Tommy Champion’s introduction to meaningful college football snaps came against No. 1 Alabama.
Champion wasn’t thrown into the fire out of necessity. He earned the right to be on the field against the Crimson Tide, so Mississippi State offensive line coach Marcus Johnson put him out there.
Simmons overcomes low point of his life to become highly rated NFL prospect
Brenda Simmons watched as her son, Jeffery, became a public villain.
Then they leaned on each other to deal with the fallout.
No. 19 MSU caps non-conference slate with blowout win over BYU
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State’s second-leading scorer, Lamar Peters, finished the Bulldogs’ final non-conference game with zero points. He missed all three 3-pointers he took and the Bulldogs around him weren’t that much better, ending at a December-low 33.3 percent.
Bulldogs get deal on coaching staff salaries
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State got the entire defensive staff that produced the nation’s second-best defense by yards per play allowed for cheaper than LSU pays defensive coordinator Dave Aranda.
Notebook: Weatherspoon, Holman pick up offensive slack for Bulldogs
STARKVILLE — Lamar Peters, usually good for 10 shot attempts per game, took only three Saturday against BYU. Yet Mississippi State found itself in a fast-paced game with the Cougars, resulting in 70 shots compared to the average of 59.
Moorhead enjoys time in Europe
STARKVILLE — Joe Moorhead makes self-deprecating jokes about it now, but in the spring and summer of 1996 he wanted to play professional football.
Fitzgerald trades in hockey skates for fulfilling football career
STARKVILLE — Nick Fitzgerald was born to an American man and an Icelandic woman living in Germany.
‘Give Me a Talent’: MSU kicker solves two puzzles: field goals and Rubik’s cubes
Mississippi State football player Jace Christmann’s most recent obsession is rooted in the notion that a Division I football player has no special talent.
Mitchell emerges as top threat for Bulldogs
STARKVILLE — Phil Helmuth watches Mississippi State football games conflicted with pride and a longing for what could have been.
MSU junior Simmons declares for NFL draft
STARKVILLE — Jeffery Simmons knows time is of the essence.
As he was considering whether 2018 would be his last season as a member of the Mississippi State football team, the last few weeks weighed on his mind.
SEC play will provide true barometer for No. 17 MSU
Ben Howland did everything he could to convince fans of the Mississippi State men’s basketball team about Wofford. He was willing to distribute highlight clips to media members. He created the time for a media availability before the game to ensure it received the proper buildup.
MSU’s Simmons will enter NFL draft
STARKVILLE — Three years is all Jeffery Simmons needed to draw the attention of NFL franchises.
Moorhead focuses on strength up front in first signing class
STARKVILLE — Coming off a season in which the Mississippi State football team displayed its strength at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, coach Joe Moorhead’s first recruiting class made strides to help the Bulldogs maintain those advantages.