Maroon Friday Update: Sept. 25
September 25, 2026 | Athletics
Happy Maroon Friday!
It's a great day to be a Mississippi State Bulldog. In fact, let's just go ahead and say it's a great weekend to be a Mississippi State Bulldog!
One of the most anticipated football weekends in StarkVegas in a while is here. Saturday night, our 24th-ranked Bulldogs will host No. 19 Missouri in the first AP Top 25 matchup at Davis Wade Stadium in nearly a decade in front of a SOLD OUT crowd.
I think head coach Jeff Lebby said it best earlier this week. Saturday night at Davis Wade will be as good of an environment as there is in all of college football.
We need every single Bulldog in the building on Saturday. It's a white out, so put on your white, get to the stadium early and get loud. If you haven't bought your tickets yet, check SeatGeek and find a way to be there. We need you.
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There is truly something special about our place under the lights. It's a unique atmosphere unlike anything else in the country. Everything feels amplified. Even the cowbells seem louder at nighttime!
Speaking of cowbells, don't forget we're going to make cowbell history on Saturday. When you enter the stadium, your cowbell (or two) will be counted and at a designated point in the game, we'll all ring together to officially set a new world record for cowbells ringing simultaneously. It's a record we probably already hold unofficially, but Saturday, we'll set it in stone.
While we're on the topic of ringing, it's going to be extremely important for everyone to ring responsibly throughout the course of Saturday's game. I know that given the excitement surrounding this game, the temptation will be there to ring all night long.
However, here's the reality. Not ringing responsibly could easily result in something much worse than a penalty or fine โ they could be taken away. That is what our opponents want. Don't let that happen. When the center is over the ball on Saturday, rest your bell and just yell โ as loudly as you can. Let's continue to protect one of our most prized traditions now and for generations to come. It's simple โ ring responsibly.
We're all eagerly anticipating Saturday night, but so much else is happening in Starkville this weekend.
Friday night, we'll induct eight new members into the M-Club Hall of Fame. Men's basketball's Mario Austin, football's Johnthan Banks, Daniel Boyd and Fletcher Cox, women's golf's Kathe Kingston, baseball's Ted Milton, women's basketball's Kunshinge Sorrell-Howard and volleyball's Aimee York Strickland will all take their rightful places in the hall of fame.
These eight men and women are all such huge pieces to our collective athletic success and history here at Mississippi State. It will be an honor to celebrate with them for raising the bar and setting a standard for all Bulldogs.
Congratulations to each one of them. We're so proud of every inductee. Each one was always a treasured Bulldog. Now, they're all hall of famers.
On the road this year it has been great to run into Bulldogs who have made a tremendous impact on MSU. It was great to have Mario Austin meet us in Minneapolis, as we defeated Minnesota, and it was great to see Eric Moulds in Columbia, South Carolina, when our Dawgs took down the Gamecocks. It is great to see so many guys and gals who paved the way, but my favorite part is the joy and pride they take in seeing our current student-athletes succeed. That is legacy.
Friday evening, you'll have a chance to head to Nusz Park and check out Mississippi State softball. Coach Samantha Ricketts and her team will be taking some of their first steps back toward a return trip to the Women's College World Series as they host the Maroon and White scrimmage.
Then on Saturday, before you head to Davis Wade Stadium, be sure you stop by The Hump. Men's basketball is hosting an open practice beginning at 2 p.m. Enter the building through the southwest entrance and get your first glimpse of Coach Chris Jans' 2026-27 squad.
Sunday, it'll be time to pack The Griss! Our volleyball team is off to an incredible start this season, winning of 11 of the first 12 matches. Sunday, Coach Julie Darty Dennis' group opens up SEC play by hosting LSU at 2 p.m. at Newell-Grissom.
Similar to what I was saying earlier about Davis Wade Stadium, The Griss is amazing when it's rocking. It's fast-paced, loud and just fun. Get there on Sunday and let's help start the SEC schedule strong!
As you see, it's a pretty packed weekend with something going on every day. The Best Small Town in the South is the place to be, as it will be throughout the month of October as well. We mentioned a lot of this last week, but don't forget all the exciting things coming in the days ahead.
We're now only a week away from HARDY rocking the roof off The Hump on Friday, October 2 (Get tickets here). Then, in the same venue on Thursday, October 15, we can laugh all night long when Nate Bargatze brings his comedy tour to campus (Secure seats here).
I'll reemphasize what I mentioned a week ago. The more we engage with and support these kinds of events, the more we position our community for continued growth, new opportunities and top-tier talent. So, get your tickets now to make sure you don't miss out.
We've spent a lot of time today talking about all that's happening here in Starkville. Great things have been happening out of town, too.
Congratulations to MSU women's golf. Last weekend, the Bulldogs won the Mason Rudolph Championship hosted by Vanderbilt with a three-day total of 2-under par. We entered the last day of action in second place, three strokes behind Florida, but Coach Charlie Ewing's group never gave in. They made up the ground and took the title by one stroke over Florida and Arizona State.
I wanted to give a shoutout to those who have traveled on the road with football the last two weeks. To our fans in the stands at opposing stadiums โ Thank you! Thank you for spending your resources โ time and money โ to support our team. Thank you for your cheers and Maroon and White chants, thank you for your support. But after two games on the road, it is great to be back in front of our home crowd โ there is no place like HOME.
Hail State!ย
Zac
It's a great day to be a Mississippi State Bulldog. In fact, let's just go ahead and say it's a great weekend to be a Mississippi State Bulldog!
One of the most anticipated football weekends in StarkVegas in a while is here. Saturday night, our 24th-ranked Bulldogs will host No. 19 Missouri in the first AP Top 25 matchup at Davis Wade Stadium in nearly a decade in front of a SOLD OUT crowd.
I think head coach Jeff Lebby said it best earlier this week. Saturday night at Davis Wade will be as good of an environment as there is in all of college football.
We need every single Bulldog in the building on Saturday. It's a white out, so put on your white, get to the stadium early and get loud. If you haven't bought your tickets yet, check SeatGeek and find a way to be there. We need you.
ย
Remain Hungry.
โ Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) September 25, 2026
๐๏ธ: @JBanks_27 pic.twitter.com/v8A5X9H5sC
There is truly something special about our place under the lights. It's a unique atmosphere unlike anything else in the country. Everything feels amplified. Even the cowbells seem louder at nighttime!
Speaking of cowbells, don't forget we're going to make cowbell history on Saturday. When you enter the stadium, your cowbell (or two) will be counted and at a designated point in the game, we'll all ring together to officially set a new world record for cowbells ringing simultaneously. It's a record we probably already hold unofficially, but Saturday, we'll set it in stone.
While we're on the topic of ringing, it's going to be extremely important for everyone to ring responsibly throughout the course of Saturday's game. I know that given the excitement surrounding this game, the temptation will be there to ring all night long.
However, here's the reality. Not ringing responsibly could easily result in something much worse than a penalty or fine โ they could be taken away. That is what our opponents want. Don't let that happen. When the center is over the ball on Saturday, rest your bell and just yell โ as loudly as you can. Let's continue to protect one of our most prized traditions now and for generations to come. It's simple โ ring responsibly.
Friday night, we'll induct eight new members into the M-Club Hall of Fame. Men's basketball's Mario Austin, football's Johnthan Banks, Daniel Boyd and Fletcher Cox, women's golf's Kathe Kingston, baseball's Ted Milton, women's basketball's Kunshinge Sorrell-Howard and volleyball's Aimee York Strickland will all take their rightful places in the hall of fame.
These eight men and women are all such huge pieces to our collective athletic success and history here at Mississippi State. It will be an honor to celebrate with them for raising the bar and setting a standard for all Bulldogs.
Congratulations to each one of them. We're so proud of every inductee. Each one was always a treasured Bulldog. Now, they're all hall of famers.
On the road this year it has been great to run into Bulldogs who have made a tremendous impact on MSU. It was great to have Mario Austin meet us in Minneapolis, as we defeated Minnesota, and it was great to see Eric Moulds in Columbia, South Carolina, when our Dawgs took down the Gamecocks. It is great to see so many guys and gals who paved the way, but my favorite part is the joy and pride they take in seeing our current student-athletes succeed. That is legacy.
Then on Saturday, before you head to Davis Wade Stadium, be sure you stop by The Hump. Men's basketball is hosting an open practice beginning at 2 p.m. Enter the building through the southwest entrance and get your first glimpse of Coach Chris Jans' 2026-27 squad.
Sunday, it'll be time to pack The Griss! Our volleyball team is off to an incredible start this season, winning of 11 of the first 12 matches. Sunday, Coach Julie Darty Dennis' group opens up SEC play by hosting LSU at 2 p.m. at Newell-Grissom.
Similar to what I was saying earlier about Davis Wade Stadium, The Griss is amazing when it's rocking. It's fast-paced, loud and just fun. Get there on Sunday and let's help start the SEC schedule strong!
As you see, it's a pretty packed weekend with something going on every day. The Best Small Town in the South is the place to be, as it will be throughout the month of October as well. We mentioned a lot of this last week, but don't forget all the exciting things coming in the days ahead.
We're now only a week away from HARDY rocking the roof off The Hump on Friday, October 2 (Get tickets here). Then, in the same venue on Thursday, October 15, we can laugh all night long when Nate Bargatze brings his comedy tour to campus (Secure seats here).
I'll reemphasize what I mentioned a week ago. The more we engage with and support these kinds of events, the more we position our community for continued growth, new opportunities and top-tier talent. So, get your tickets now to make sure you don't miss out.
We've spent a lot of time today talking about all that's happening here in Starkville. Great things have been happening out of town, too.
Congratulations to MSU women's golf. Last weekend, the Bulldogs won the Mason Rudolph Championship hosted by Vanderbilt with a three-day total of 2-under par. We entered the last day of action in second place, three strokes behind Florida, but Coach Charlie Ewing's group never gave in. They made up the ground and took the title by one stroke over Florida and Arizona State.
I wanted to give a shoutout to those who have traveled on the road with football the last two weeks. To our fans in the stands at opposing stadiums โ Thank you! Thank you for spending your resources โ time and money โ to support our team. Thank you for your cheers and Maroon and White chants, thank you for your support. But after two games on the road, it is great to be back in front of our home crowd โ there is no place like HOME.
Hail State!ย
Zac
Saturday, August 08
Thursday, August 21
Thursday, January 09
Monday, November 04