Maroon Friday Update: Sept. 11
September 11, 2026 | Athletics
Happy Maroon Friday!
It's a great day to be a Mississippi State Bulldog!
Friday night, our soccer team began conference play against the school up north and defeated them 4-1 to keep the Magnolia Cup here in Starkville for a seventh consecutive year. Our next opportunity to see this team in action at home is Friday, September 18, at 6 p.m. against Florida. I hope you'll make plans to be there and help us "Pack the Pitch!"
Our golf programs are off to a great start with their fall schedules. Our men's program finished tied for sixth after two solid days of golf in Knoxville. We were also one of just five teams to have two players finish at 3-under or better for the tournament. Arth Sinha and freshman Yago Horno Mateo, who was also named SEC Freshman of the Week, both put together top-15 performances.
Our women's golf program began the season with a top-three finish at the Boilermaker Classic, hosted by Purdue, climbing one spot to third during the final round of action. Mississippi native Avery Weed earned the seventh top-five finish of her career.
I wrote to you last week about volleyball going 2-0 in the SEC vs. Big Ten Challenge. They were back on the court Tuesday for the SEC vs. ACC Challenge, taking on Wake Forest in Winston-Salem. Our Bulldogs took down the Deacs on their home court and were back in action this afternoon again this afternoon, picking up another win against Alcorn State.
This time last week, there was a lot of anticipation for football's return to Davis Wade Stadium. It was great to be back on Scott Field with each of you ringing your cowbells and bringing the energy! It was a great weekend, and we cannot thank each of you enough for the role you play in creating the magic and electricity that make Saturdays in Starkville so special.
Yesterday, on the STATE 1878 platform, I watched a recap of the days leading up to the game, along with a behind-the-scenes look at gameday as part of their series, "Interlocked." For those of us close to the program, it captures what we are fortunate to see often: the focus and intensity our coaches and players bring to each day, the fun and likable personalities of our players, and the pride everyone takes in giving you, our support system, the very best experience we can.
If you haven't had a chance to check out this behind-the-scenes look at Week 1, I encourage you to watch it here. And if you aren't a STATE 1878 member yet, this would be a great time to join.
In the Selmon house, we are celebrating a very special birthday this weekend. Happy Birthday, Rachel!
We are looking forward to celebrating Rachel on Sunday and taking the time to thank her for all she does for our family. But she would be the first to tell you that the Selmons are all locked in on tomorrow's matchup against Minnesota. Let's go Dawgs!
As we close out this week, we also pause to remember the significance of September 11 and honor the lives lost 25 years ago. We remember the innocent lives taken, the first responders and everyday Americans who demonstrated extraordinary courage, and the families whose lives were forever changed. That day we lost one of our own, Lieutenant Colonel Jerry D. Dickerson of Durant, Mississippi, a Mississippi State graduate working at the Pentagon that morning. May we never forget the sacrifice, service and unity that emerged from one of the most difficult days in our nation's history.
I hope each of you has a great weekend, and thanks to those of you who will travel to Minnesota to cheer on our Bulldogs at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Safe travels!
Hail State!
Zac
It's a great day to be a Mississippi State Bulldog!
Friday night, our soccer team began conference play against the school up north and defeated them 4-1 to keep the Magnolia Cup here in Starkville for a seventh consecutive year. Our next opportunity to see this team in action at home is Friday, September 18, at 6 p.m. against Florida. I hope you'll make plans to be there and help us "Pack the Pitch!"
Our women's golf program began the season with a top-three finish at the Boilermaker Classic, hosted by Purdue, climbing one spot to third during the final round of action. Mississippi native Avery Weed earned the seventh top-five finish of her career.
I wrote to you last week about volleyball going 2-0 in the SEC vs. Big Ten Challenge. They were back on the court Tuesday for the SEC vs. ACC Challenge, taking on Wake Forest in Winston-Salem. Our Bulldogs took down the Deacs on their home court and were back in action this afternoon again this afternoon, picking up another win against Alcorn State.
This time last week, there was a lot of anticipation for football's return to Davis Wade Stadium. It was great to be back on Scott Field with each of you ringing your cowbells and bringing the energy! It was a great weekend, and we cannot thank each of you enough for the role you play in creating the magic and electricity that make Saturdays in Starkville so special.
If you haven't had a chance to check out this behind-the-scenes look at Week 1, I encourage you to watch it here. And if you aren't a STATE 1878 member yet, this would be a great time to join.
As we close out this week, we also pause to remember the significance of September 11 and honor the lives lost 25 years ago. We remember the innocent lives taken, the first responders and everyday Americans who demonstrated extraordinary courage, and the families whose lives were forever changed. That day we lost one of our own, Lieutenant Colonel Jerry D. Dickerson of Durant, Mississippi, a Mississippi State graduate working at the Pentagon that morning. May we never forget the sacrifice, service and unity that emerged from one of the most difficult days in our nation's history.
Hail State!
Zac
Saturday, August 08
Thursday, August 21
Thursday, January 09
Monday, November 04