Mississippi
Why Mississippi State football faces a test of culture as much as talent ahead of Florida game
STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State football rebuild wasn’t always going to be seamless.
Expectations for coach Jeff Lebby’s first season were modest. Bumps were to be expected. Perhaps there’d be a game MSU let slip away, a bowl-less first season or an obvious in-game coaching blunder.
Remember, this isn’t just Lebby’s first time as the Bulldogs’ coach. It’s the 40-year-old’s first head coaching job at any level.
But Saturday’s 41-17 loss to Toledo (3-0) at Davis Wade Stadium isn’t an ordinary loss for Mississippi State (1-2). It’s an epic one. It’s MSU’s worst home nonconference loss by scoring margin since it was beaten 42-14 by West Virginia in 2006. West Virginia was ranked No. 4 in the country at the time. Toledo is Toledo.
Recovering from the loss will start with letting what happened Saturday turn from the edge of a slippery slope to a rallying point.
“We’re going to fight like heck to fix every single bit of it,” Lebby said after the game. “That’s my job. That’s what we’re supposed to do. I think our guys will be ready to get back in the building and go to work. Everybody is incredibly frustrated right now. I’m incredibly disappointed that we played and coached the way we did tonight in front of our home crowd with our students showing up the way they did.
“But we do. We got to get it fixed. Regardless, we’re going to kick off at 11 a.m. next Saturday morning right here at home.”
Why Jeff Lebby left Blake Shapen and other starters in the game
There weren’t many positives to draw from the loss. Asked directly about it, Lebby said he took notice of MSU’s effort particularly on extra point and field goal attempts.
“When I look at a football team that’s in the situation we were just in, the thing I always want to watch is what’s happening on PAT/field goals,” he said. “On the defensive side of the ball, are we rushing? Are we trying like heck to go block a dang kick at the end of the game? Are we doing the things that we need to do from an effort standpoint that has to show up just to give us a chance? Those things were happening.”
Lebby never pulled the starters, including quarterback Blake Shapen, when the game was already well decided in the fourth quarter.
Both of Mississippi State’s touchdowns came in the second half after it had fallen behind by 32 points.
“The thought was we were going to fight our butt off until the last second,” Lebby said. “I think that’s incredibly important as we’re sitting here three games into the tenure. Our guys understand regardless of the score, we can’t play to a scoreboard. We have to find a way to go play and go execute for as long as it takes.”
MORE: Unpacking Mississippi State football, Jeff Lebby’s biggest problems after Toledo loss
The talent is the talent at this point, so only so much can be improved midseason. The offensive line won’t magically go from the dominated to the dominant, nor will the defense that’s forced only five punts and one sack in the past two games.
Being competitive Saturday (11 a.m., ESPN) at Davis Wade Stadium against the vulnerable Florida Gators (1-2) will be just as much a testament to MSU’s buy-in as much as its talent.
“There’s a lot of lessons to be learned in these last couple of weeks,” Shapen said. “Just being able to move forward, and obviously we’re starting SEC play, so we got to scratch everything that’s happened before.”
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
Celebrate the Fourth of July at these free events with fireworks displays in the Jackson area.
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Independence Day is always an exciting holiday in Mississippi with burgers and hot dogs sizzling on the grill and the dazzling displays of fireworks.
This year is even more special as America celebrates its 250th birthday. It is a celebration of a milestone not to be missed and the fireworks displays will be spectacular.
If you live in the Jackson area there are plenty of events to choose from and not all of them are on Saturday, July 4, so you can go and enjoy more than one. To make them even better, the events are free.
So, here are some of the area events that include fireworks where you can celebrate America 250.
Jackson Fireworks Extravaganza
- When: 5 p.m., Wednesday, July 1
- Where: Smith Wills Stadium, 1200 Lakeland Drive, Jackson
- Admission: Free
The City of Jackson is hosting its Fireworks Extravaganza starting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, at Smith Wills Stadium.
Before the fireworks, guests can enjoy local food vendors and live entertainment. The event also will include a kid zone with water slides, bounce houses, face painting and games.
Independence Celebration at The Rez
- When: Saturday, June 27, 5-9 p.m.
- Where: Bobby Cleveland Park at Lakeshore and Old Trace Park
- Admission: Free
Celebrate Independence Day Rez-style at the Ross Barnett Reservoir. The event takes place the Saturday before the Fourth of July at Bobby Cleveland Park at Lakeshore and Old Trace Park.
Live music, kid zones, food vendors and beer will be on hand. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. No outside coolers are allowed.
Freedom Fest
- When: 6 to 10 p.m., Friday, July 3
- Where: Brandon Amphitheater, 8190 Rock Way, Brandon
- Admission: Free
Brandon’s complimentary Freedom Fest will be a kick-off to the holiday weekend celebrations. The event will include inflatables for the kids, a Cornhole tournament, face painting, food trucks and will close with a patriotic concert and fireworks display.
Red, White and Blue Fest
- When: 4 p.m., Saturday, July 4
- Where: Soccer Row, Traceway Park, Clinton
- Admission: Free
The 36th annual Red, White and Blue Fest in Clinton starts at 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 4.
Local live music, food and games lead up to the fireworks finale at 9 p.m. Live music performances include blues prodigy John Clayton White at 5:30 p.m. and The Fountain City Players at 7:15 p.m.
Brian Broom has been reporting on and photographing Mississippi for more than 35 years. He can be reached at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com.
Mississippi
Political speeches happening at Neshoba County Fair. Here’s the schedule – SuperTalk Mississippi
Mississippi’s most prominent political stage will once again be filled with elected officials and candidates looking to make their case to voters during the 137th annual Neshoba County Fair.
The podium, situated beneath a wooden pavilion in Founder’s Square, gained national attention when Ronald Reagan delivered a speech there during the 1980 presidential campaign. In the decades since, the venue has become a proving ground for candidates seeking office at every level of government, often serving as a launching pad – or stumbling block – for political ambitions.
With the 2026 election cycle featuring congressional midterms, this year’s fair offers challengers a chance to connect with voters while incumbents remain in Washington as Congress conducts business. The event also provides an early look into the 2027 statewide election cycle, giving fairgoers an opportunity to hear from current officeholders who may be considering bids for higher office.
Political speaking is scheduled for the mornings of Wednesday, June 24, and Thursday, June 25. Invitations are extended to Mississippi’s statewide elected officials, candidates seeking statewide office, and elected officials and candidates who districts include Neshoba County.
Wednesday, June 24
- 9:30 a.m. — Lane Taylor (R), state senator, District 18
- 9:40 a.m. — Michael Chiaradino (D), candidate for U.S. House, Mississippi’s 3rd Congressional District
- 9:50 a.m. — Ty Pinkins (Ind.), candidate for U.S. Senate
- 10 a.m. — Scott Colom (D), candidate for U.S. Senate
- 10:10 a.m. — Break
- 10:20 a.m. — David McRae (R), state treasurer
- 10:30 a.m. — Lynn Fitch (R), attorney general
- 10:40 a.m. — Delbert Hosemann (R), lieutenant governor
Thursday, June 25
- 9 a.m. — Scott Bounds (R), state representative, District 44
- 9:10 a.m. — DeKeither Stamps (D), public service commissioner, Central District
- 9:20 a.m. — Willie Simmons (D), transportation commissioner, Central District
- 9:30 a.m. — Jenifer Branning, Mississippi Supreme Court justice, District 1, Place 3
- 9:40 a.m. — Kenny Griffis, Mississippi Supreme Court justice, District 1, Place 1
- 9:50 a.m. — Break
- 10 a.m. — Andy Gipson (R), commissioner of agriculture and commerce
- 10:10 a.m. — Michael Watson (R), secretary of state
- 10:20 a.m. — Jason White (R), speaker of the Mississippi House
- 10:30 a.m. — Tate Reeves (R), governor
Republican State Auditor Shad White will not attend the fair due to military obligations. White serves as an officer in the Mississippi National Guard.
Meanwhile, U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith and U.S. Rep. Michael Guest, both Republicans seeking reelection in 2026, will remain in Washington and not participate in political speaking at the Neshoba County Fair.
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