Mississippi
Mississippi State vs. Toledo: Bold Predictions for an Exciting Matchup
Mississippi State suffered its first loss of the season last week to Arizona State but looks to get back on track against Toledo. Before conference play begins next week, Mississippi State must improve in a few areas.
However, Mississippi State cannot overlook a scrappy Toledo team, but a flashy win would be good for the fanbase. What are some bold predictions for Mississippi State’s final game before SEC play?
Blake Shapen Will Throw for Over 300 Yards
Mississippi State quarterback Blake Shapen has been impressive the first two weeks of the season. The Baylor transfer has thrown for 515 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions.
Last week against Arizona State, the entire offense struggled in the first half, and a Shapen fumble made matters worse. After a sloppy first half, the offense and Shapen started clicking, scoring 20 points in the second half.
First-year Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby has a dynamic offense, and it has shown flashes. This week, the offense stays consistent all game as Shapen has a big day.
The Defense Will Force Two Turnovers
Mississippi State’s defense was a big question mark coming into the season under first-time coordinator Coleman Hutzler. All offseason, players and coaches alike said the defense would force turnovers, and that was their goal.
Last week, the defense failed to stop the run, leading to over 300 rushing yards for Arizona State. This week, the Mississippi State defense comes out with an edge against an inferior opponent and forced several turnovers.
Toledo struggles to push the ball down the field in the air, and Mississippi State will take advantage.
The Special Teams Will Score a Touchdown
Lousiville transfer receiver Kevin Coleman has undoubtedly been the most explosive player on the team for Mississippi State this year. Coleman took a simple hitch play 80 yards against Arizona State and showcased elite speed down the sideline.
The junior also returns punts for Mississippi State and almost scored a couple of times in the week one matchup against Eastern Kentucky. Coleman finally breaks one more tackle and takes a punt return to the endzone against Toledo.
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Mississippi
Mississippi College Baseball Wins Series vs. West Florida for First Time
Mississippi College baseball has won the series against West Florida for the first time ever
The Choctaws have been playing UWF since 2015
MC won the first two games and put on a bit of a comeback in game 3
Next: GSC at Delta St., then Conference Tournament
Mississippi
George County High School senior killed in Highway 26 crash, MHP says
GEORGE COUNTY, Miss. (WLOX) — A George County High School senior is dead after an SUV hit him while bicycling on Highway 26 Friday night.
Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) officials said at 8:15 p.m. the MHP responded to a fatal crash on Highway 26 in George County.
Those officials said a Ford SUV traveling west on Highway 26 collided with 18-year-old Tyree Bradley of McLain, Mississippi, who was bicycling.
Bradley was fatally injured and died at the scene, MHP officials said.
The crash remains under investigation by the MHP.
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Mississippi
Mississippi State Drops Series Opener at Texas A&M Despite Late Chances
Some losses feel like they drag on longer than the box score suggests, and Mississippi State’s 3-1 opener at Texas A&M fits that category.
It wasn’t a blowout. It wasn’t a game where the Bulldogs looked outmatched.
It was just one of those nights where the early mistakes stuck around and the offense never quite found the swing that could shake them loose.
The frustrating part is how quickly the hole formed. Two solo homers and a wild pitch in the first two innings put Mississippi State behind 3-0, and that was basically the ballgame.
Against a top tier SEC team on the road, spotting three runs that early is a tough ask. The Bulldogs didn’t fold, but they also didn’t cash in when the door cracked open.
“I liked our fight. I think we’re really just working through some things offensively, and trying to stay together,” Mississippi State coach Samantha Ricketts said. “This team still believes, and we’re going to battle and fight every chance we get, and I think I saw a lot of that. I’m encouraged for what that means for us moving forward, but, you know, they’re a good hitting team, and we’ve got to be able to shut them down early. I don’t think Peja [Goold] had her best stuff, but she continued to battle out there and find ways to get outs.”
They had chances. Two runners stranded in the fifth. Two more in the sixth. Another in the seventh. Des Rivera finally got the Bulldogs on the board with an RBI single, but the big hit that usually shows up for this lineup never arrived.
It wasn’t a lack of traffic. It was a lack of finish.
If there was a bright spot, it came from the bullpen. Delainey Everett gave Mississippi State exactly what it needed after the rocky start.
“That was just a huge relief appearance by Delaney to keep us in it,” Ricketts said. “It’s really good to have her back and healthy these last few weeks because these are the moments where we really need her and rely on her. We know that she’s going to be a big part of the remainder of the season going forward as well.”
Three hitless innings, one baserunner, and a reminder that she’s quietly putting together a strong stretch.
There were individual positives too. Nadia Barbary keeps climbing the doubles list. Kiarra Sells keeps finding ways on base.
But the bigger picture is simple. Mississippi State is now 6-10 in the SEC, and the margin for error is shrinking. Nights like this one are the difference between climbing back into the race and staying stuck in the middle.
They get another shot this morning with the schedule bumped up for weather. The formula isn’t complicated.
Clean up the early innings, keep getting quality relief, and find one or two timely swings. The Bulldogs didn’t get them Friday. They’ll need them today.
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