Articles by Brett Hudson
Hoyett takes advantage of opening to shine for MSU defense
STARKVILLE — The life of Mississippi State defensive coordinator Todd Grantham surely would have been easier if defensive tackle Cory Thomas did not miss the last five games.
MSU Walk-on Wednesday: Piscane looks for balance between music, football
STARKVILLE — Tristan Pisacane had to make a choice as he entered Centennial High School in Franklin, Tennessee. He was going to use his time there to get to a college and do something of note when he got there, it was just a matter of which one: football or music.
Bulldogs hope for better week of practice
STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State football team hopes to chart a new course this week.
Coming off a 37-7 victory against then-No. 12 LSU on Sept. 16 at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, MSU wasn’t at its best in the week of practice the following week. The result was a sobering 31-3 loss to then-No. 11 Georgia in Athens, Georgia.
MSU QBs moving chains with their feet
STARKVILLE — Six of the nation’s top 10 college football teams in third-down efficiency have quarterbacks in the top 10 in third-down quarterback rating.
MSU men can’t come all way back against Nebraska
STARKVILLE — The experience of playing a live game in front of a crowd against a Power 5 conference team was what Ben Howland wanted.
Movement up front helps MSU defense generate pressure
STARKVILLE — The movement of the Mississippi State football team’s defensive front is nearly constant before a third down.
Sometimes the linebackers and defensive linemen change places. On other occasions, the safeties join the fray to create the appearance of pre-snap chaos.
Offensive line plays big role in MSU’s victory against Kentucky
STARKVILLE — Nearly four minutes remained on the clock when freshman right tackle Stewart Reese left the bench and made his way to the fence between him and the bleachers.
Reese went with one purpose: to give his gloves to a young fan. On Saturday, Reese and MSU’s offensive linemen deserved to be the fan favorites.
Defense comes alive for Noxubee County
MACON — Jabrayon Leflore cut to his right.
The Leake Central High School running back didn’t have the football. He was simply carrying out his fake. It didn’t matter. A Noxubee County defensive lineman still hit him behind the line of scrimmage.
Three other Tigers were tackling the quarterback for a safety.
Howland excited to have Nebraska coming to Starkville
STARKVILLE — It started with a phone call to an old friend, Mark Boehm.
Boehm and Mississippi State men’s basketball coach Ben Howland knew each other from Howland’s days as men’s basketball coach at Pittsburgh from 1999-2003. When Howland saw the opportunity to get a waiver from the NCAA to play an extra preseason scrimmage, he called Boehm, who is now in the athletic department at Nebraska.
SEC QBs show growth in 2017
STARKVILLE — The Southeastern Conference suffered plenty of growing pains at quarterback in 2016.
In a year in which 10 league schools broke in new starters the average quarterback rating for the conference, 131.35, would have ranked 65th in the nation.
Couch wants to make most of his chances at WR
STARKVILLE — Statistically, the Mississippi State football team ranked in the top half in the Southeastern Conference last week prior to its game against BYU.
Williams emerges as force for Starkville High’s defense
STARKVILLE — The Starkville High School football team has plenty of go-to players.
Coach Chris Jones doesn’t hesitate to call on any of those playmakers on offense.
On the other side of the football, Starkville defensive coordinator Kevie Thompson has one player he looks to when he needs a play to be made. In those cases, Thompson looks to middle linebacker Jacob Williams and says “stop the bleeding.”
Hudson column: Howland looks for experience to pay dividends this season
At the lowest of times, it was a statement of the unfortunate fact; in others, it was reason for optimism for the future. In either case, every time Mississippi State men’s basketball coach Ben Howland said it — and he said it often — it was true.
Walk-on Wednesday: O’Connor wins clothing battle on most Saturdays
STARKVILLE — As soon as Logan Burnett heard the word, ‘interesting,’ he pulled out his phone and went to Instagram.
MSU expects to face versatile threat in Kentucky QB
STARKVILLE — Of all defensive coordinators qualified to discuss quarterbacks who are difficult to sack, Todd Grantham has to be near the top of that list.
Williams capable of being MSU’s workhorse RB
STARKVILLE — Chris Chambless knows Aeris Williams’ durability better than most.
The West Point High School football coach saw Williams work at practice on a daily basis. He also watched Williams carry the football 22 carries per game as a junior and a senior.
Balance on offense fuels MSU’s victory against BYU
STARKVILLE — With Elgton Jenkins in front of him and Aeris Williams walling off a defender to his right, Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald took off down the right side.
Bryant’s interception helps MSU regain control of rope
STARKVILLE — Once again, Dan Mullen was talking about the rope.
Mississippi State’s football coach has taken to using a rope as a training mechanism and metaphorical device. A player grabs a rope and fights against a strong force trying to pull the rope from his grasp. It’s an exercise of strength, but it means more than that.
Defense, Harvey provide sparks for Starkville
STARKVILLE — Defensive coordinator Kevie Thompson isn’t hard to pick out on the Starkville High School football team’s sideline.
More times than not, Thompson is the one flying through the air pumping his fist and creeping onto the field more than officials would like him to.
Thompson wasn’t the only one who had that energy Friday night.
