STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football is going bowling for the 27th time in program history, and the first time under second-year head coach Jeff Lebby. Despite a 5-7 record, the Bulldogs have been selected for the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Jan. 2 in Charlotte, N.C.

MSU will face ACC opponent Wake Forest. The game will be an evening kickoff, 8 p.m. local and 7 p.m. central time, at Bank of America Stadium.

“We’re fired up to be playing in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl,” head coach Jeff Lebby said. “This is a great opportunity for our program. We’re looking forward to the weeks of work and preparation ahead as we get ready for a talented Wake Forest team and compete to close out the season. Charlotte is an outstanding city, and it’s a great place for our fans to join us and support our guys.”

The Bulldogs finished short of the six-win threshold to automatically qualify for a bowl game, but secured a postseason bid thanks to a chaotic period of declined bids due to the coaching carousel, transfer portal and the timing of roster rebuilding under new leadership.

Iowa State and Kansas State both declined bowl invites, as did Independent program Notre Dame in response to their exclusion from the College Football Playoff, which created a domino effect of 5-7 teams faced with bowl decisions. The Bulldogs were uniquely positioned to accept a bowl bid given that their roster is still mostly intact, only a handful of reserves have entered the transfer portal, and though a staff shakeup is taking place, one replacement is already in place. 

Familiar face

Defensive coordinator Coleman Hutzler was relieved of his duties last week and replaced by Zach Arnett, Lebby’s predecessor as head coach.

Arnett served as the program’s defensive coordinator for three seasons under Mike Leach before being elevated to the top job in the wake of Leach’s sudden passing. He led the unit to three consecutive top-five SEC defensive finishes between 2020 and 2022. Arnett led the Bulldogs to a bowl win at the end of the 2022 season and was head coach for 10 games in 2023 before being fired with a 4-6 record.

“Zach is one of the top defensive minds in college football, and we are excited to welcome him back to Mississippi State,” Lebby said in an MSU press release. “His defenses here were tough, disciplined and among the most productive in the SEC. He brings energy, edge, and a defined identity to our defense, and I’m confident he will help elevate our program immediately.”

According to a report from ESPN, Arnett signed a three-year contract to return to the Bulldogs.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to return to Mississippi State and lead this defense,” Arnett said. “This place means a great deal to me and my family, and Starkville has always felt like home. I’m excited to get to work for Coach Lebby, support his vision and do my part in contributing to the program.”

Since leaving MSU, Arnett has worked as a defensive analyst for Ole Miss under Lane Kiffin in 2024 and Florida State this past year under Mike Norvell. He worked briefly as the defensive coordinator for Dan Mullen at UNLV over the spring, but left the program in April for what was termed “personal reasons.”

In addition to Hutzler’s exit, wide receivers coach Chad Bumphis was reportedly let go on Monday. The former Bulldog, and the program’s second all-time leading receiver, joined the staff under Arnett in 2023 and was retained for two seasons under Lebby.

The Dispatch learned from a team spokesperson that Arnett is already on the job in Starkville, but his role for the bowl game has not yet been determined. Lebby is expected to have an answer by the time practices start leading up to the Wake Forest matchup.

The Deacons finished the regular season 8-4, and notably upset ACC Championship Game finalist Virginia, 16-9. The two programs have met just once before in the 2011 Music City Bowl, which MSU won 23-17.

Tickets for the game are now on sale for MSU fans at hailstate.com/tickets. Club seats are priced at $150 and lower-level seats are $95, plus fees. Seat assignments will be finalized later this week based on Bulldog Club priority ranking.