‘We’ve Been Preparing For Moments Like This’
September 03, 2025 | Football, Joel Coleman
Kelley Jones is one of many Dawgs looking to shine under the lights on Saturday night in Starkville.
STARKVILLE – If your heart pumps blood that's colored a shade of Maroon, you already know the assignment.
Saturday night. Stark Vegas. Under the lights at Davis Wade Stadium.
It's THE place to be for anyone and everyone that loves Mississippi State University. And if, for whatever reason, you're a Bulldog still on the fence about your Saturday night plans, cornerback Kelley Jones wants you to know he and his teammates strongly hope you're there to have their backs against No. 12 Arizona State.
"I expect all of our fans to come out," Jones said. "We've been preparing for moments like this."
You can CLICK HERE and lock in your seats for Saturday. If you do, one of the Dawgs that's likely to have you clanging your cowbell throughout the evening is Jones.
The dynamic defensive back got his 2025 season off to a stellar start last weekend at Southern Miss. Jones opened the year by posting a career-high two pass breakups to go along with a pair of tackles.
What led to his early success? Jones said it was a mentality preached to the Dawg corners by position coach Corey Bell.
"I [believe] the ball is always coming to [the man I'm covering]," Jones said. "Every play, [believe] the ball is coming to your man."
That thought process led to a big day for not only Jones, but several in the State secondary. MSU had seven total pass breakups last week. Like Jones, fellow corner DeAgo Brumfield also had two. Safety Tanner Johnson had one.
Linebacker Malick Sylla and defensive lineman DJ Reed both had one apiece as well, while safety Brylan Lanier chipped in with an interception that led to a Bulldog touchdown drive.
Jones hopes to spearhead another stout showing for the Bulldog defense this week in one of the biggest games in Starkville in some time. But the home-state standout by way of Clarksdale knows he's got a challenge in front of him to do so.
Arizona State boasts standout wide receiver Jordan Tyson. Tyson enters Saturday's action with nine straight games of at least 75 receiving yards. That's the longest active streak in the country.
Odds are Tyson will be targeted early and often by the Sun Devils. Should that indeed happen, Jones is excited for the test.
"It's a big challenge for me going up against him, and I look forward to it," Jones said. "I look at it as a dream come true. It's good going against good. Who wouldn't want the opportunity to go out there and play the best?"
Again, these are precisely the moments Jones and the Bulldogs have prepared for. These are the kinds of games that can springboard you towards something special.
It's a player's dream, and a fan's too.
"We've got so much confidence and so much ability to go do the things I think we are going to do and try to win," Jones said. "I feel like everyone needs to come out and support."
