Maroon Friday Update: Sept. 12
September 12, 2025 | Athletics
Happy Maroon Friday!
It's a great day to be a Mississippi State Bulldog!
We started this Maroon Friday the best way Bulldogs know how: breakfast at Starkville Café alongside a friend and Bulldog Club member to kick off a busy weekend.
Now, this part is a little uncomfortable for me. I'm not good at celebrating. I am told I tend to move on too quickly to the next task or the next game. But I'd be remiss if I didn't take a moment to reflect on the incredible weekend we just experienced. What made it so special was not just the win, but the contributions of so many people. From the way our campus looked, to the buzz in town as visitors filled our local shops and restaurants, to the tradition of Cowbell Yell at The Amphitheatre on Friday night, it was all remarkable.
On Saturday, the tailgating and atmosphere in the Junction were elite! Student tailgates looked like a blast. Friends and families were reunited, and the energy was contagious. The Dawg Walk gave our players the perfect homecoming to Davis Wade Stadium, setting the tone for the night. While visiting tailgates, I enjoyed seeing so many of you and appreciate every "hello" and every "Hail State!"
We know we aren't perfect, and there's still work to do, but what stands out is how many hands and hearts came together. No single group can be singled out because every group would turn and point to others who made it possible. That's who we are. This department is full of people rowing in the same direction, caring more about representing Mississippi State well than about who gets the credit. That's the kind of team I'm proud to be a part of. When we have the opportunity to join forces with our amazing fanbase on a game day, that is what makes us special! A special thanks to each of our staff, coaches and fans for making this such a special place to be!
After a thrilling weekend, it was right back to work for our players, coaches and staff. We know the effort that went into creating Saturday night's magic, and we know the work must continue. We are focused, hungry, and we are just getting started.
On Tuesday, our creative content crew (one of those ELITE teams I was just talking about!) came over for lunch and the lunch of choice was Two Brothers. It was fun to hear their perspectives leading up to the game and their experiences behind the lens that capture so much of what we do and what you see.
On Wednesday, we joined the Athletic Council in the Leo Seal Jr. Boardroom at the Templeton Academic Building. Dr. Brent Fountain serves as chair for this committee of faculty and staff. We appreciate their time and look forward to continuing monthly collaborations on joint initiatives.
That evening, our volleyball team defeated Duke in their first five-set match of the season at Newell Grissom. Lindsey Mangelson led with 15 kills, followed closely by Mele Corral-Blagojevich with 13. Great job, team, for keeping the momentum rolling!
Tonight, our soccer team opens SEC play against No. 1 Tennessee at 6 p.m. at home. We need you there to support Coach Zimmerman and our women! This weekend also marks 30 years of Bulldog soccer. We're excited to welcome our alumni back. As we always say: once you're here, you're a Bulldog for Life.
As you are making plans with your family and friends to attend football game weekends, check out these unique experiences that you can bid on through the Bulldog Club and directly support Mississippi State student-athletes!
On Saturday, Dawg Walk starts at 2:55 p.m. Before that, stop by the Coca-Cola Fan Fest and visit The Bulldog Initiative tent, where the men's basketball team will be signing autographs from 2:15-2:45 p.m. Also, The Bulldog Initiative will be teaming up with a local business to auction off a limited run of unique items. You don't want to miss it.
Then it's time for kickoff at 5 p.m. We have six home games left this season. Let's bring the energy and ring responsibly. Our cowbells are one of the most unique and powerful traditions in college football. To protect it, we must work together – hold the bells when the center is over the ball, and just yell. Let's all do our part.
I also need your help with something else. Saturday night was an incredible scene. Recruits, national media, and fans across the country saw Starkville as the place to be. That's what we want after marquee wins. But here's the reality: Saturday's fine went to the SEC postgraduate scholarship fund because it was a non-conference game. In an SEC matchup, that same $500,000 would go straight to our opponent. Nobody wants that.
The officials cleared most of the field Saturday night, but the fine was triggered because Arizona State still had players on the field when fans entered. Going forward, the fix is simple: wait for the green light on the videoboard (a maximum of three minutes), enter through the gates as instructed, and celebrate safely with fellow Bulldogs. You'll still enjoy the moment – without handing over a dime to our competition. Keep that in mind, for me, it will take all of us to make this happen successfully.
On your drive this weekend, check out the Hail State Podcast Network. Recent episodes include Isaac Smith sitting down with Joel and Logan and our assistant baseball coaches sharing their stories, and more. You'll definitely want to give them a listen!
On top of the anticipated game-day excitement on Saturday, it's also Rachel's birthday. When I asked what she wanted for her birthday, she said, "A Bulldog win!" So, join me in giving a special shoutout to my bride, Rachel Selmon!
We can't wait to see you this weekend!
Hail State!
Zac
It's a great day to be a Mississippi State Bulldog!
We started this Maroon Friday the best way Bulldogs know how: breakfast at Starkville Café alongside a friend and Bulldog Club member to kick off a busy weekend.
On my way into the office, I made a second stop at Coffee Depot and picked up a few of their limited-time "Goalpost Lattes" for our team to enjoy. Sarah Morgan Pellum, owner of Coffee Depot, reached out to let us know that a portion of the sales from these lattes will go toward our State Excellence Fund to help offset the fine we received for the postgame field rush. Not only is it creative and fun, but it's also generous of our friends on Jackson Street. It's another example of the tremendous support we have in our community. Starkville is fortunate to have several outstanding coffee shops supporting the Dawgs, so please continue to show love to all our local businesses when you're in town for ballgames!Happy Maroon Friday, Bulldogs! 🐶 pic.twitter.com/g8VJE0QWFS
— Zac Selmon (@zacselmon) September 12, 2025
On the goalpost subject, many of you have asked where you can contribute to help with the $500,000 fine from Saturday night's field rush. The best way to support is through the State Excellence Fund. And, of course, you can grab a Goalpost Latte this weekend, too!☕🐶 Shoutout to Coffee Depot for the Goalpost Latte! A portion of each sale this weekend goes to our State Excellence Fund. Love how our Bulldog Family rallies together. #HailState pic.twitter.com/16g2nmNMgt
— Zac Selmon (@zacselmon) September 12, 2025
Now, this part is a little uncomfortable for me. I'm not good at celebrating. I am told I tend to move on too quickly to the next task or the next game. But I'd be remiss if I didn't take a moment to reflect on the incredible weekend we just experienced. What made it so special was not just the win, but the contributions of so many people. From the way our campus looked, to the buzz in town as visitors filled our local shops and restaurants, to the tradition of Cowbell Yell at The Amphitheatre on Friday night, it was all remarkable.
On Saturday, the tailgating and atmosphere in the Junction were elite! Student tailgates looked like a blast. Friends and families were reunited, and the energy was contagious. The Dawg Walk gave our players the perfect homecoming to Davis Wade Stadium, setting the tone for the night. While visiting tailgates, I enjoyed seeing so many of you and appreciate every "hello" and every "Hail State!"
We know we aren't perfect, and there's still work to do, but what stands out is how many hands and hearts came together. No single group can be singled out because every group would turn and point to others who made it possible. That's who we are. This department is full of people rowing in the same direction, caring more about representing Mississippi State well than about who gets the credit. That's the kind of team I'm proud to be a part of. When we have the opportunity to join forces with our amazing fanbase on a game day, that is what makes us special! A special thanks to each of our staff, coaches and fans for making this such a special place to be!
After a thrilling weekend, it was right back to work for our players, coaches and staff. We know the effort that went into creating Saturday night's magic, and we know the work must continue. We are focused, hungry, and we are just getting started.
On Tuesday, our creative content crew (one of those ELITE teams I was just talking about!) came over for lunch and the lunch of choice was Two Brothers. It was fun to hear their perspectives leading up to the game and their experiences behind the lens that capture so much of what we do and what you see.
That evening, our volleyball team defeated Duke in their first five-set match of the season at Newell Grissom. Lindsey Mangelson led with 15 kills, followed closely by Mele Corral-Blagojevich with 13. Great job, team, for keeping the momentum rolling!
On Saturday, Dawg Walk starts at 2:55 p.m. Before that, stop by the Coca-Cola Fan Fest and visit The Bulldog Initiative tent, where the men's basketball team will be signing autographs from 2:15-2:45 p.m. Also, The Bulldog Initiative will be teaming up with a local business to auction off a limited run of unique items. You don't want to miss it.
Then it's time for kickoff at 5 p.m. We have six home games left this season. Let's bring the energy and ring responsibly. Our cowbells are one of the most unique and powerful traditions in college football. To protect it, we must work together – hold the bells when the center is over the ball, and just yell. Let's all do our part.
I also need your help with something else. Saturday night was an incredible scene. Recruits, national media, and fans across the country saw Starkville as the place to be. That's what we want after marquee wins. But here's the reality: Saturday's fine went to the SEC postgraduate scholarship fund because it was a non-conference game. In an SEC matchup, that same $500,000 would go straight to our opponent. Nobody wants that.
The officials cleared most of the field Saturday night, but the fine was triggered because Arizona State still had players on the field when fans entered. Going forward, the fix is simple: wait for the green light on the videoboard (a maximum of three minutes), enter through the gates as instructed, and celebrate safely with fellow Bulldogs. You'll still enjoy the moment – without handing over a dime to our competition. Keep that in mind, for me, it will take all of us to make this happen successfully.
On top of the anticipated game-day excitement on Saturday, it's also Rachel's birthday. When I asked what she wanted for her birthday, she said, "A Bulldog win!" So, join me in giving a special shoutout to my bride, Rachel Selmon!
Hail State!
Zac
2024-25 Mississippi State Athletics Recap
Thursday, August 21
STATE OF MIND: EP 4 | FT. ZAC SELMON
Thursday, January 09
STATE OF MIND: EP 1 | FT. JOSH HUBBARD
Monday, November 04
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Thursday, October 03