It's Game Day!
September 20, 2025 | Athletics
Wake up! It's game day in Starkville and it is a great day to be a Mississippi State Bulldog!
It's been a busy, yet rewarding week.
On Thursday night, our No. 12 Mississippi State soccer team earned a 3–0 victory in Austin, Texas. They are now 2–0 in conference play. Last week, I shared that our team was facing No. 1 ranked Tennessee here in Starkville - and what a thriller that was! To those of you who attended last Friday night's match, thank you. If you haven't had a chance to see these young women play, you don't want to miss it. They are passionate, talented, and fierce competitors on the field. I know you will enjoy watching them. The team's next home game is tomorrow at 6 p.m. versus Auburn - come out and support them!
Mississippi State Bulldogs were also representing us on the global stage this past week. NCAA Track and Field champions Anderson Peters (MSU 2017–2019) and Curtis Thompson (MSU 2015–2019) both medaled in the javelin at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan. Peters represented Grenada, and Thompson represented the United States of America. How exciting to see Bulldogs continuing to make their mark on the world stage!
This week, I was honored to represent the Southeastern Conference at the College Football Playoff Mock Selection alongside fellow ADs from across the country. The event, held in Grapevine, Texas, offered valuable insight into the mechanics of the CFP Selection Committee's voting process and evaluation tools. We were joined by the Committee Chair, CFP staff, and Executive Director Rich Clark.
Our "mock committee" walked through the entire ranking process using the 2024 football season as our case study. Each participant submitted a top 30 list, followed by seven rounds of voting, which ultimately established a final top 25. We then assigned teams to the playoff bracket and game sites. The exercise provided excellent discussion and valuable insight into the committee's protocols and metrics.
I was especially proud to hear from numerous CFP staff and executives about the tremendous national impact Dr. Keenum has had on the College Football Playoff. We certainly know it here at Mississippi State, but it was inspiring to hear it recognized at the national level.
In other news, more details about the Diamond Dawg Classic were announced this week. I know you won't want to miss that—click the post below for more information!
This afternoon, we will welcome our Dawgs back to Davis Wade Stadium! Starting at 1:00 p.m., you can tune into the Hail State app for the C Spire Pre-Game Radio Show, hosted by Bulldog letterwinner, current Mississippi State professor, and Bulldog Sports Properties broadcaster Marcus Hunter. We're thrilled to have Marcus on the team.
Here's today's full schedule of events:
Earlier this week, Coach Lebby and I sent out a note you probably received. Here is the recap and the three ways Bulldog fans can help:
This weekend, if you find the time, please read this powerful piece on Seth Davis. His story of resilience is incredible. I am grateful for our outstanding Mississippi State sports medicine staff, led by Thomas Callans, and for our partners at Columbus Ortho. Special thanks also to Dr. Allen Sills, MSU alum and NFL Chief Medical Officer, for his guidance in Seth's recovery. Medical experts are calling this comeback "a miracle," and we are so thankful.
On a personal note, last weekend we celebrated Rachel's birthday, and this weekend we're celebrating Shayne Selmon's 15th! She turns 15 on Sunday and she's taking her driver's permit test on Monday- hard to believe how fast time flies. On my way home from the CFP trip, I thought I'd score some "cool dad" points by bringing her favorite candy. I stocked up on Snickers and Peanut M&Ms at DFW Airport, only to be told when I got home that I should've brought Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Teenagers sure keep you on your toes. Happy birthday, Shayne! Our little girl isn't so little anymore!
Rachel and I are also proud of Shayne for being selected to the Starkville Mayor's Youth Council with several of her friends and classmates. Here she is with her fellow council members being sworn in.
This week we were saddened to hear of the passing of Bulldog legend D.D. Lewis.
D.D. was an All-SEC standout and 1967 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, he played 13 years with the Dallas Cowboys, appeared in five Super Bowls, won two, and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2001. I was able to visit with D.D.'s wife, Diane, this week. Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers.
As I sign off, thank you again for your continued support – Can't wait to see you today at Davis Wade Stadium!
Hail State!
Zac
It's been a busy, yet rewarding week.
On Thursday night, our No. 12 Mississippi State soccer team earned a 3–0 victory in Austin, Texas. They are now 2–0 in conference play. Last week, I shared that our team was facing No. 1 ranked Tennessee here in Starkville - and what a thriller that was! To those of you who attended last Friday night's match, thank you. If you haven't had a chance to see these young women play, you don't want to miss it. They are passionate, talented, and fierce competitors on the field. I know you will enjoy watching them. The team's next home game is tomorrow at 6 p.m. versus Auburn - come out and support them!
Our "mock committee" walked through the entire ranking process using the 2024 football season as our case study. Each participant submitted a top 30 list, followed by seven rounds of voting, which ultimately established a final top 25. We then assigned teams to the playoff bracket and game sites. The exercise provided excellent discussion and valuable insight into the committee's protocols and metrics.
I was especially proud to hear from numerous CFP staff and executives about the tremendous national impact Dr. Keenum has had on the College Football Playoff. We certainly know it here at Mississippi State, but it was inspiring to hear it recognized at the national level.
In other news, more details about the Diamond Dawg Classic were announced this week. I know you won't want to miss that—click the post below for more information!
Yesterday, we had a great meeting with our Bulldog Club Board. We are so thankful for these dedicated members who give their time and resources to help advance Mississippi State forward. Many of you know our Board President, Bo McKinnis. Bo earned his bachelor's degree in accounting here at Mississippi State while serving as the student manager for Coach Ron Polk's baseball program. In addition to his role as the Bulldog Club Board President, he is also on the MSU Foundation Board of Directors. Bo owns McKinnis Sports Management in Nashville, representing professional baseball players. We are grateful to him and to all our board members for their leadership and commitment.Team Thunder. Team Lightning.
— Mississippi State Baseball (@HailStateBB) September 18, 2025
Witness some of your favorite Diamond Dawgs compete once again at Dudy Noble Field.
🎟️: https://t.co/dYNa7sfIew
ℹ️: https://t.co/8vzyvHyHa4#HailState | @MSFarmBureau pic.twitter.com/64vy9gmcmx
This afternoon, we will welcome our Dawgs back to Davis Wade Stadium! Starting at 1:00 p.m., you can tune into the Hail State app for the C Spire Pre-Game Radio Show, hosted by Bulldog letterwinner, current Mississippi State professor, and Bulldog Sports Properties broadcaster Marcus Hunter. We're thrilled to have Marcus on the team.
- Fill the stands. Wear Maroon today versus Northern Illinois, and White next week versus Tennessee for the "White Out." We can't let opposing colors show up in our sections.
- Protect our home field. If you can't make it, let us help ensure your tickets go to another Bulldog - not to opposing fans.
- Bring the noise. Be loud at 3:15 p.m. this weekend and next. Some of the loudest games in our history have been in this exact time slot. Let's add two more to the list!
This weekend, if you find the time, please read this powerful piece on Seth Davis. His story of resilience is incredible. I am grateful for our outstanding Mississippi State sports medicine staff, led by Thomas Callans, and for our partners at Columbus Ortho. Special thanks also to Dr. Allen Sills, MSU alum and NFL Chief Medical Officer, for his guidance in Seth's recovery. Medical experts are calling this comeback "a miracle," and we are so thankful.
D.D. was an All-SEC standout and 1967 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, he played 13 years with the Dallas Cowboys, appeared in five Super Bowls, won two, and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2001. I was able to visit with D.D.'s wife, Diane, this week. Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers.
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
Zac Selmon Joins Charlie Winfield And Bart Gregory On Out Of Left Field
Thursday, October 03