Mississippi State’s Relf getting his opportunity

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State’s football program can be thankful for a high school field trip.

Otherwise, Mississippi State might not have been able to sign quarterback Chris Relf.

Relf grew up in Montgomery, Ala., a fan of the Alabama Crimson Tide.

He grew up 45 minutes away from Auburn, but the Tigers never recruited Relf.

MSU football team addresses issues returning to work on Labor Day

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State football team went back to business on Labor Day.

Following a 45-7 victory against the Jackson State on Saturday, the Bulldogs practiced for one hour Monday morning.

Even though it was considered a light day, practicing only in helmets, the Bulldogs addressed several areas.

Mississippi State’s Bumphis displays potential when healthy

STARKVILLE — There were times all Mississippi State freshman wide receiver Chad Bumphis could do in preseason practice was jog.

With a sprained foot, Bumphis wasn’t able to go full speed.

But Bumphis was healthy and ready to go for the Bulldogs on Saturday.

He showed Mississippi State coaches and fans what could be in store for the future with a pair of touchdown receptions in a 45-7 victory against Jackson State.

Relf’s running key in MSU’s win vs. JSU

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen likes the dimension sophomore quarterback Chris Relf’s running ability gives the spread offense.

That’s why Mullen had no problem calling a running play for Relf at a critical moment of the first half of Saturday’s game against Jackson State.

Mullen suspends Dixon for Jackson State game

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State played Jackson State without senior running back Anthony Dixon on Saturday.

Dixon served a one-game suspension as part of discipline for his arrest on a driving under the influence charge in July. He pled guilty in August to avoid a court date.

Swedenburg, Heritage Academy beat Starkville Academy

Heritage Academy football coach Brad Butler trusts senior quarterback Will Swedenburg.

That trust was rewarded Friday night as Swedenburg ran an efficient offense and rushed for two touchdowns in the second quarter in a 46-23 victory against Starkville Academy at C.L. Mitchell Field.

Meridian’s Weems respects Starkville’s history, potential

Meridian High School coach Larry Weems believes he could use the services of quarterback Tyler Russell and wide receiver Chris Smith in Starkville tonight.

Although that’s not possible, that’s how much respect Weems has for the Yellow Jackets.

Russell and Smith, two Mississippi State freshmen, told Weems they would be available if needed at 7:30 tonight when Meridian plays Starkville. MSU plays host to Jackson State on Saturday.

MSU’s Lee, Relf develop bond in sharing quarterback role

STARKVILLE — There doesn’t appear to be a quarterback controversy between Mississippi State’s Tyson Lee, of Columbus, and Chris Relf.

That doesn’t mean there’s not competition.

Lee, the senior who started for the Bulldogs last season, and Relf, the sophomore, have worked in the spring and into fall camp to see who will get the most playing time in coach Dan Mullen’s spread offense.

MSU’s Mullen makes debut in historic game against Jackson State

It will be a game of firsts at 2:30 p.m. Saturday (ESPNU) when Mississippi State plays host to Jackson State.

From a historical factor, the matchup is the first in football between teams from the Southeastern and Southwestern Athletic conferences.

It also is the beginning of the coach Dan Mullen era at Mississippi State.

Mullen said those two things add to the anticipation as kickoff nears.

MSU’s Dixon’s status for Jackson State game still uncertain

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State senior tailback Anthony Dixon skipped out to the practice field Tuesday afternoon and yelled out “let’s go.”

The question remains, will Dixon be allowed to go for the Bulldogs on Saturday?

It appears more and more that Dixon’s status will be a gametime decision for MSU football coach Dan Mullen.

Game hits close to home for Mississippi State’s Jenkins

STARKVILLE — By growing up only 10-15 minutes away from the Jackson State campus, it would have been easy for Mississippi State senior offensive guard Craig Jenkins to stay home to play college football.

It was also tempting because Jenkins had two cousins and two aunts go to school at Jackson State.

On top of that, many of his friends from Pearl High School are in school at Jackson State.

Mississippi State enters season inexperienced in the secondary

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State’s secondary did a decent job against the pass last season.

The unit ranked fourth in the Southeastern Conference and 17th in the country in pass defense, only allowing 176.6 yards per game.

The Bulldogs had a veteran presence in the secondary with the safety trio of Derek Pegues, Keith Fitzhugh and De’mon Glanton, and cornerback Jasper O’Quinn.

The problem for MSU is they were all seniors last season.

Senior cornerback Marcus Washington is MSU’s most experienced returning player in the secondary with 19 career starts. The rest of the unit has a grand total of two starts. Both of those belong to junior safety Zach Smith.

Offensive line will play key role in spread

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State sophomore offensive guard Quentin Saulsberry knows it will be important for the Bulldogs to establish a running game this season.

Even though MSU is set to run a spread offense with coach Dan Mullen, Saulsberry said that doesn’t mean there will be more pass than run.

Mullen doesn’t commit to a QB

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen isn’t releasing details on two key issues about his team as he enters his first game week.

Mullen has chosen not to discuss what, if any, suspension he plans for senior running back Anthony Dixon.

Byrne says MSU will consider scheduling other state schools

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State has looked into the possibility of playing in-state schools more often as its athletic department looks for ways to make trips closer to home and to save money.

MSU Athletic Director Greg Byrne said Monday the school is open to playing opponents in Mississippi as long as it fits what it’s trying to do competitively and financially and the game meets its scheduling philosophy.

MSU’s Varnado taken to hospital

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State basketball team spokesman Gregg Ellis said Monday that All-Southeastern Conference forward Jarvis Varnado became ill during an individual workout and was taken to the hospital.

Varnado first went to the Oktibbeha County Hospital for evaluation. He then was sent to the Northeast Mississippi Medical Center for further tests as a precautionary measure.

Mississippi State defensive line shows improvement

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State defensive coordinator Carl Torbush believes the defensive line is the most improved part of his unit.

The Bulldogs struggled in that area last season, especially when it came to stopping the run.

MSU’s defense allowed opponents to rush for an average of 150.9 yards per game last year, which was 11th out of the 12 programs in the Southeastern Conference.

Noxubee County Tigers run past Columbus

MACON — Noxubee County High School football coach M.C. Miller still has some offensive weapons to put on the field while quarterback/wide receiver/free safety Vincent Sanders recovers from a fractured jaw.

Running backs Patreon Hopkins and Jontae Skinner each scored a touchdown Friday night to help the defending Class 4A state champions beat Columbus 23-12.

The Tigers (2-0) prefer the passing game, but Miller has no problem going to the running game while sophomore quarterback Jared Johnson gets used to the system.

Webb realizes MSU is his true calling

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State junior tight end Thomas Webb knows about homesickness.

After graduating from Starkville High School in 2005, Webb saw an opportunity to leave home and play for coach Jeff Bower at Southern Mississippi.

Webb had an offer to attend MSU, but he didn’t think it was the right thing to do and was ready to leave town.

Sherrill’s latest appearance won’t affect Bulldogs

STARKVILLE — The presence of former Mississippi State football coach Jackie Sherrill at last Saturday’s closed scrimmage didn’t violate any of the parameters set forth in the self-imposed penalties for an incident that occurred during spring practice.