Martin Emerson
Mississippi wide receiver Dontario Drummond (11) leaps over a fallen Mississippi defender for a first down during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Ole Miss at Mississippi State 11/25/2021

Nov. 25, 2021 08:31 PM EST

Auburn quarterback Bo Nix (10) warms up before the start of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi State Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Mississippi State at Auburn 11/13/2021

Nov. 13, 2021 11:19 AM EST

Texas A&M quarterback Zach Calzada (10) passes down field against Mississippi State during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Mississippi State at Texas A&M 10/2/2021

Oct. 02, 2021 08:53 PM EDT

Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers comes off the field after warming up before an NCAA football game against Memphis on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Mississippi State at Memphis 9/18/2021

Sep. 18, 2021 04:09 PM EDT

Part of a U.S flag is painted in the school's emblem midfield at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field in Starkville, Miss.,. Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, for the NCAA college football game between North Carolina State and Mississippi State, on the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
North Carolina State at Mississippi State 9/11/2021

Sep. 11, 2021 06:11 PM EDT

FILE - Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach looks at his players during Mississippi State's Maroon and White spring NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., in this Saturday, April 17, 2021, file photo. Leach didn't get to install things the way he wanted with the Bulldogs, but still made the expected offensive impact in a tumultuous first season. The focus now is building off the positives with a more normal schedule. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
Mississippi State seeks strong start vs Louisiana Tech

By Gary B. Graves Sep. 02, 2021 11:20 AM EDT

Tulsa quarterback Zach Smith (11) hands the ball to running back Deneric Prince (8) during warmups before they play Mississippi State in the Armed Forces Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Jim Cowsert)
Tulsa at Mississippi State 12/31/2020

Dec. 31, 2020 11:51 AM EST

Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers (2) passes against Missouri during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2019, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Missouri at Mississippi State 12/19/2020

Dec. 19, 2020 04:25 PM EST

Auburn wide receiver Anthony Schwartz (1) runs with a reception past Mississippi State defenders for a first down during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Auburn at Mississippi State 12/12/2020

Dec. 12, 2020 08:49 PM EST

Mississippi State cornerback Martin Emerson, left, tackles Georgia wide receiver George Pickens during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Mississippi State at Georgia 11/21/2020

Nov. 21, 2020 09:13 PM EST

Mississippi State wide receiver Osirus Mitchell (5) avoids an attempted tackle by Vanderbilt cornerback Gabe Jeudy-Lally (6) on his way to a touchdown pass reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Vanderbilt at Mississippi State 11/7/2020

Nov. 07, 2020 04:41 PM EST

Fans walk past a sign that says tailgating is prohibited in the Junction tailgate area before an NCAA college football game between Mississippi State and Arkansas in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
Arkansas at Mississippi State 10/3/2020

Oct. 03, 2020 06:05 PM EDT

File-New Mississippi State NCAA college football coach Mike Leach speaks at a news conference Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, at the Starkville, Miss., based university, after being officially introduced as the head coach. Leach and his Mississippi State football players have a lot to learn about each other in a short period of time. Given his successful background, it’s possible for the outspoken coach and the Bulldogs to become quick studies. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
Leach brings high-octane philosophy to Mississippi State

By Gary B. Graves Sep. 01, 2020 04:42 PM EDT

Mississippi State cornerback Martin Emerson (1) breaks up a pass intended for LSU tight end Stephen Sullivan (10) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. LSU won 36-13. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Slumping Mississippi State playing more freshmen on defense

By Paul Jones Oct. 24, 2019 05:00 AM EDT

Southern Mississippi quarterback Jack Abraham (15) scrambles away from several Mississippi state defenders in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Jim Lytle)
Hill Leads Mississippi State Past Southern Miss 38-15

By Paul Jones Sep. 07, 2019 08:30 PM EDT