MSU to extend Mullen’s contract
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University is expecting to put its head football coach back on a four-year agreement for the third consecutive winter. And all it took was a look, a nod and two words.
Mullen will no longer comment on Penn State interview rumors
STARKVILLE — For the second time this week, Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen is denying having any contact with officials at Penn State University.
Mullen dodges Penn State speculation
STARKVILLE — Another offseason is nearly here, and reports of Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen leaving Starkville already have started. The Bulldogs’ third-year coach deflected questions Tuesday about speculation he is a serious candidate to replace Joe Paterno as head football coach at Penn State University.
Mullen dodges Penn State speculation
STARKVILLE — Another offseason is nearly here, and reports of Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen leaving Starkville already have started. The Bulldogs’ third-year coach deflected questions Tuesday about speculation he is a serious candidate to replace Joe Paterno as head football coach at Penn State University.
Mullen sticks with Relf as starting QB
STARKVILLE – “Chris Relf is our starter.”
Those five words were all Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen needed to dismiss a quarterback controversy.
Looking for what he called “a spark” to an offense that had 16 yards in the second half, Mullen pulled Relf and inserted Tyler Russell for the final 10 minutes of MSU’s 19-6 loss to No. 3 LSU on Thursday night.
MSU linebackers learning on fly
STARKVILLE — The book on how to attack Mississippi State’s in the passing game is to target the linebackers.
Offensive coaches across America are trying to duplicate what Auburn University offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn did to rack up 381 total yards in a 41-34 victory on Sept. 10. Three games into his first season as linebackers coach/co-defensive coordinator at MSU, Geoff Collins is being reminded what it’s like to tutor a young group on how to play against the nation’s top offenses.
MSU RB Griffin medically cleared to play vs. La. Tech
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State redshirt freshman tailback Nick Griffin could get see his first action Saturday.
MSU coach Dan Mullen confirmed Monday afternoon in his weekly press conference that the redshirt freshman has been medically cleared to play and will be active for the team’s game at 6 p.m. Saturday (ESPNU) against Louisiana Tech (1-2).
Attitude adjustment at MSU
STARKVILLE — After the Mississippi State football team fell inches shy of getting a chance to beat the defending national champions in the second week of the 2011 season, head coach Dan Mullen admitted he received a lot of “hate mail” from fans.
‘We got our butts kicked’: No. 3 LSU dominates No. 25 MSU
STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State football team’s home opener and likely its Southeastern Conference Western Division title hopes were spoiled Thursday night after another deflating loss to LSU.
On a night where points were at a premium, No. 3 LSU physically took away everything No. 25 MSU wanted to accomplish in a 19-6 victory before a crowd of 56,924 at Davis Wade Stadium.
Russell takes over for Relf in fourth quarter
STARKVILLE — For the final 10 minutes Thursday, Mississippi State starting quarterback Chris Relf stood on the sidelines with headphones on watching his backup finish the job.
MSU coach Dan Mullen went to sophomore quarterback Tyler Russell with 10 minutes, 8 seconds left in the contest and his team trailing 16-6 hoping for what he called “an offensive spark.”
Things don’t go as planned for Mullen
STARKVILLE — The script didn’t call for a clunker.
Throw out the 11-game losing streak to LSU and the disappointing loss Saturday at the University of Auburn. Thursday was going to be different.
LSU relies on Chavis’ stingy defense
STARKVILLE — The players come and go, but the constant on defense for the LSU football team is John Chavis.
Despite philosophical changes on offense that have led to spread schemes and teams running more plays and scoring more points, LSU’s defensive coordinator has relied on the same approach for more than 20 years in the Southeastern Conference.
MSU must change for LSU QB Lee
STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State football coached divided scouting reports of Southeastern Conference teams in the spring and summer.
Days before the start of the 2011 season, the offensive report for LSU was in the trash can.
Stricklin asks for mid-season form with cowbells
STARKVILLE — For the first time this season, Mississippi State football fans will be allowed to bring cowbells into Davis Wade Stadium and to use them when No. 25 MSU plays host to No. 3 LSU at 7 p.m. Thursday (ESPN).
MSU defense will try to rebound
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State offensive coordinator Les Koenning sent out a tweet Sunday night following the Bulldogs first loss.
“Film doesn’t lie,” Koenning tweeted.
The “film” Koenning is referring to is the game tape from MSU’s 41-34 loss to Auburn on Saturday in which quarterback Chris Relf was stopped at the goal line in the waning seconds.
Carmon day to day; Saulsberry likely to play vs. LSU
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen said Monday he expects senior center Quentin Saulsberry to play against No. 3 LSU at 7 p.m. Thursday (ESPN), but senior left tackle James Carmon is “day-to-day” with a left knee injury.
Mullen said Sunday both players’ injuries didn’t require surgery but weren’t available to practice Sunday night. Saulsberry left the Bulldogs’ 41-34 loss to Auburn University on Saturday with what Mullen said was a knee sprain.
MSU has statement game at Auburn
STARKVILLE — Embrace the moment.
This is the attitude Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen wants to convey to his players in arguably his team’s most important Southeastern Conference game since he took the job in Starkville
MSU, Auburn have dynamic duos at running back
STARKVILLE — The Auburn and Mississippi State defenses see rushing games that have speed and power every day.
Mullen: Coaching rumors mean Bulldogs are winning
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen can barely get out of the month of August without rumors of his imminent departure from Starkville.
Mullen, who is 15-11 at MSU, addressed rumors as a guest on Garry Parrish’s ESPN Radio show in Memphis that he likely will leave MSU after another successful season.