Mississippi

Unpacking Mississippi State football’s puzzling slow starts in Jeff Lebby’s offense

Published

1 year ago

November 10, 2024

Unpacking Mississippi State football’s puzzling slow starts in Jeff Lebby’s offense

KNOXVILLE — The second play of Saturday’s game is one that irks Mississippi State football coach Jeff Lebby.

MSU (2-8, 0-6 SEC) started with the ball for the 10th time this season, needing to make a splash on the road to silence Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium crowd. Tight end Seydou Traore broke loose 20 yards up the seam on second-and-11, but freshman quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. threw an uncatchable pass high and wide of him. Another incompletion on the next play resulted in a three-and-out punt.

From there, Tennessee (8-1, 5-1) took the ball right down the field for a 7-0 lead on the way to a 33-14 victory.

Slow starts have been an issue, and don’t appear to be getting fixed.

“For us, there’s no explosive plays,” Lebby said. “Everything for us, as we’ve gotten started, we’ve had some negative plays and then it’s been very grind. We have to have the ability to throw and catch on a couple of these first- and second-down plays on the first two drives.”

What the numbers say of Mississippi State’s early-game offense

Mississippi State has scored first three times in 10 games this season. Two of those were opening-drive touchdowns. MSU has held two halftime leads this season, none of them in conference play.

In Mississippi State’s 10 opening drives, it has scored two touchdowns, had six three-and-out punts and two turnovers.

Mississippi State is averaging 2.7 points in first quarters against FBS opponents, 122nd in the country, according to teamrankings.com. Meanwhile, the defense is allowing 9.1 points in first quarters, 125th in the country, so MSU is essentially playing from behind early in every game.

“I’m not really too sure,” running back Davon Booth said after a season-high 125 rushing yards. “I think it’s just a lot of critical errors from (ourselves), a lot of simple mistakes, but we’re going to pick it up.”

Jeff Lebby didn’t have issues with slow starts at Oklahoma

At Oklahoma, where Lebby was the offensive coordinator in 2023 before being hired by the Bulldogs, the Sooners didn’t have an issue with slow starts. Oklahoma scored seven opening-drive touchdowns in 12 regular season games, punted four times and had one turnover. In those seven touchdowns, Oklahoma had five drives with a play of at least 30 yards.

Lebby is right about MSU missing explosive plays.

The Bulldogs only have three plays of at least 30 yards in first quarters this season. Two of them have been on opening drives, the two possessions when they’ve scored touchdowns.

What’s next for Mississippi State football

Mississippi State has an open week before its final home game of the season against Missouri (7-2, 3-2) on Nov. 23.

“Film, film, film,” Booth said. “Got to get going. We have Missouri this next week and they’re a good team, so I’m just going to watch a lot of film.”

Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.

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Mississippi

HOSEMANN: Happy New Year, Mississippi

Published

7 hours ago

December 26, 2025

Press Room

As we observe the birth of Jesus, all of us look forward to a prosperous New Year. One thing none of us looks forward to, however, is the credit card bill that arrives after the holidays.

As a state, Mississippi has a brighter future because we have been paying down our own “credit card,” the state’s debt.

In 2019, Mississippi’s General Obligation debt stood at $4.49 billion. Since 2020, we have not increased the total of these bonds. Instead, we have chosen to responsibly manage the state’s resources.

As a result, our General Obligation debt has been reduced to $3.77 billion, a payoff of $715 million. By the end of my term, that figure is projected to drop to an estimated $2.9 billion, a $1.58 billion payoff that represents a 35 percent reduction of our “credit card.”

What makes this achievement even more meaningful is what we have accomplished at the same time. Mississippi has lowered individual, grocery, and business taxes by over $1 billion per year. We have increased teacher pay and aim to do so again this year. We have also risen to 16th nationally in education. We have secured the long-term solvency of our retirement system and invested more than $2 billion annually in roads, bridges, and new infrastructure.

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Mississippi

Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for Dec. 25, 2025

Published

19 hours ago

December 26, 2025

Press Room

Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for Dec. 25, 2025

The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 25, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

07-13-14-25-33

Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 3 numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

Midday: 3-3-2, FB: 2

Evening: 0-9-4, FB: 1

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

Midday: 4-5-9-8, FB: 2

Evening: 6-2-3-8, FB: 1

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

Midday: 04

Evening: 08

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Story continues below gallery.

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Winnings of $599 or less can be claimed at any authorized Mississippi Lottery retailer.

Prizes between $600 and $99,999, may be claimed at the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters or by mail. Mississippi Lottery Winner Claim form, proper identification (ID) and the original ticket must be provided for all claims of $600 or more. If mailing, send required documentation to:

Mississippi Lottery Corporation

P.O. Box 321462

Flowood, MS

39232

If your prize is $100,000 or more, the claim must be made in person at the Mississippi Lottery headquarters. Please bring identification, such as a government-issued photo ID and a Social Security card to verify your identity. Winners of large prizes may also have the option of setting up electronic funds transfer (EFT) for direct deposits into a bank account.

Mississippi Lottery Headquarters

1080 River Oaks Drive, Bldg. B-100

Flowood, MS

39232

Mississippi Lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date. For detailed instructions and necessary forms, please visit the Mississippi Lottery claim page.

When are the Mississippi Lottery drawings held?

Cash 3: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
Cash 4: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
Match 5: Daily at 9:30 p.m. CT.
Cash Pop: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Mississippi editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Bulldogs in NFL: When former Mississippi State players suit up in Week 17

Published

1 day ago

December 25, 2025

Press Room

Bulldogs in NFL: When former Mississippi State players suit up in Week 17

Thursday

Dallas Cowboys (6-8-1) at Washington Commanders (4-11) | Noon | Netflix

Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys

Last Week: Completed 21-of-30 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-17 loss to the Chargers. Also had two runs for 14 yards.
Season: 378 of 552, 4,175 yards, 28 TD, 10 INT; 47 runs, 154 yards, 2 TD

Preston Smith, LB, Washington Commanders

Last Week: Had two tackles in a 29-18 loss to the Eagles.
Season: 18 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 PD

Detroit Lions (8-7) at Minnesota Vikings (7-8) | 3:30 p.m. | Netflix

Tyrus Wheat, DE, Detroit Lions

Last Week: Played 11 offensive snaps and 18 special teams snaps in a 29-24 loss to the Steelers.
Season: 14 tackles, 1 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 1 PD

Denver Broncos (12-3) at Kansas City Chiefs (6-9) | 7:15 p.m. | Prime Video

Chris Jones, DE, Kansas City Chiefs

Last Week: Had two tackles and one tackle for a loss in a 26-9 loss to the Titans.
Season: 17 tackles, 7 TFL, 4 sacks, 1 PD

Saturday

Houston Texans (10-5) at Los Angeles Chargers (11-4) | 3:30 p.m. | NFL Network

Denico Autry, DE, Houston Texans

Last Week: Had one tackle in a 23-21 win against the Raiders.
Season: 7 tackles, 2 tackle for loss, 2.5 sacks, 1 quarterback hurry, 1 PD, 1 blocked field goal.

Sunday

New Orleans Saints (5-10) at Tennessee Titans (3-12) | Noon | CBS

Jeffery Simmons, DT, Tennessee Titans

Last Week: Had three tackles, two tackles for a loss and two pass deflections in a 26-9 win against the Chiefs.
Season: 58 tackles, 16 TFL, 9 sacks, 8 QBH, 1 FF, 3 PD; 1 reception, 1 yard, 1 TD

Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4) at Indianapolis Colts (8-7) | Noon | FOX

Logan Cooke, P, Jacksonville Jaguars

Last Week: Had six punts for 312 yards (52 ypp), one touchback, four inside the 20 and a long of 63 yards.
Season: 55 punts, 2,613 yards, 47.5 avg., long 63, 20 IN20

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8) at Miami Dolphins (6-9) | Noon | FOX

J.T. Gray, S, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Last Week: Played 16 special teams snaps in a 23-20 loss to the Panthers.
Season: 2 GP, 1 tackle

Willie Gay Jr., LB, Miami Dolphins

Last Week: Played just three defensive snaps and seven special teams snaps in a 45-21 loss to the Bengals.
Season: 12 GP, 11 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 1 PD