Mississippi
Looking Back at Mizzou’s Final Home Win of the Season Against Mississippi State
The Missouri Tigers managed to bounce back in Week 12 with a 49-27 win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs. By no means was it a perfect outing, but to get back in the win column and do so in blowout fashion was beyond important.
After losing an ugly one to Texas A&M the week before and having their season-long goal of making the College Football Playoff squashed, they delivered the perfect response. The offense was clicking, star running back Ahmad Hardy had his best game of the season and Missouri forced three turnovers.
Now, sitting 7-3 on the season, the Tigers can walk confidently into the rest of the season.
Here’s a look into Missouri’s win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs and why it was a perfect one to turn the page after a rough Week 11.
Play of the game: It may not have been a complete game-changer of a play, but Toriano Pride Jr’s interception that bounced off Daylan Carnell, who did most of the dirty work in coverage, was absolutely an energizer for the rest of the game.
Funnily enough, this was Pride’s second wacky return of the game. Pride was all over the place and took advantage of multiple opportunities when they came his way.
In all seriousness, Pride’s touchdown flipped the script of the game. Mississippi State still had slivers of momentum and though Missouri had just scored the possession before, the Bulldogs were still rolling. Pride’s pick-six, in many ways, ended the game.
Stat of the game: How can this title not go to Hardy’s 300-yard performance? This was one of the best rushing performances in the history of the Southeastern Conference and was one of the main reasons the Tigers found the offensive success that they did.
It seems like it’s been a while since Hardy had an explosive, high-impact day like he did against the Bulldogs. In fact, this is only his second performance over 100 yards since the Tigers’ win over UMass. In all honesty, this was likely a welcome outing for the Tigers, the fans and Hardy himself.
Missouri’s offensive line had arguably its best game of the season against Mississippi State. The fact that the Tigers posted 326 rushing yards and that Missouri’s freshman quarterback was only sacked twice should be a perfect indicator of that.
For the most part, Matt Zollers had a good chunk of time to make his decisions. He only made 15 passes, so not much was asked of him in that department, but he made good decisions throwing the ball and the offensive line gave him time to do so.
The offensive line also gave Hardy the time and space to do what he did. That’s not to say that he wasn’t making these plays for himself, because he was, but some of that does stem from the blocks his offensive front was creating.
“I thought the O-line and tight ends obviously prevented penetration, allowed him to get to the second level, but then he did the rest, once the holes started,” head coach Eli Drinkwitz said following the win. They were playing quite a bit of man-to-man, which prevents overlap in the defense and I think his speed really surprised them.”
This might not be what Missouri fans want to hear, but a good chunk of the penalty issues against the Tigers, mainly in the first half, were very much valid. There should be absolutely zero debate about the two targeting calls that were dished out, along with the unnecessary roughness call on safety Santana Banner for some extracurriculars and a facemask on Stephen Hall for doing exactly that.
One or two may have been questionable, but in general, Missouri was making a lot of sloppy mistakes. At least in the first half, when seven of the 11 penalties occurred, Drinkwitz’s team may have been playing slightly too emotionally.
“I think senior nights always get a little bit emotional,” Drinkwitz said. “So, we were out of character and out of context there for a little bit. I’ve never seen so many first downs given to a team through penalties.”
In the long run, Missouri’s 11 total penalties that went for 74 yards weren’t the end of the world. That might not be the case against an Oklahoma squad that recently vaulted into the AP Top 25 and happens to be Missouri’s Week 13 opponent.
With all of that being said, Missouri did catch a bad break or two. Zollers’ two intentional grounding penalties were a little shaky, especially the second time around, when he was being hit and targeting his tight end, Brett Norfleet. He was making the throwing motion toward Norfleet, but didn’t get the chance to get it there.
It might be easy to brush past some of the intricacies that Missouri’s defense struggled with against the Bulldogs, given they scored two defensive touchdowns and forced three total turnovers. But, in a similar fashion to other games this year, the Tigers struggled with tackling angles and wrapping up.
Not having Josiah Trotter in the middle of the field surely made a difference there, but a decent chunk of these issues were in the secondary.
Take Brenen Thompson’s 54-yard catch and run in the first quarter. Thompson holds onto exceptional speed and is a tough player to bring down, but that shouldn’t excuse three separate Tiger defenders missing him when they had the chance to.
Seeing some of Missouri’s veterans miss tackles this late in the season is going to sting and could hurt the team later on. Tackling angles have been a subtle issue all season and it looks like issues are still coming up in that area, especially from the Tigers’ defensive backs.
Darris Smith quietly had one of the best days of any Tiger on the defensive side of the ball, finishing with four tackles, two sacks and three tackles for loss. In many ways, Smith was the best pass rusher for the Tigers. At the same time, he lined up at different locations beyond the edge.
There were a few snaps where Smith lined up at off-ball linebacker, which is not a first-time occasion. This time around, however, they happened to be more effective.
A perfect example of Smith being all over the place was on the drive that occurred right before Missouri’s unique muffed field goal return. Smith recorded two tackles for loss and was a menace in the run game in terms of filling gaps, disallowing Mississippi State from taking advantage of some momentum thanks to penalties.
Smith has been a steady contributor for the Tigers this season and saw increased time against the Bulldogs with Langden Kitchen out and Nate Johnson being ejected from the game early due to a targeting penalty. A game like that one will only earn him more opportunities as the season progresses.
It’s not an over-exaggeration to say that Norfleet is Missouri’s most valued blocker when it comes to opening up holes in the running game. On the front side of multiple Missouri zone runs, whether it was Hardy or Jamal Roberts, Norfleet was a primary helper in opening those gaps.
Hardy still managed to rush for over 100 yards in Week 11 against the Aggies, but this was different. The outside zone was clicking all night and, with the help of his offensive line, tight ends and receivers, the holes were there. Norfleet’s size and willingness to be all over the field to make these blocks were so apparent and clearly made a difference.
Even when Norfleet isn’t making his mark as a receiver, he’s still one of the most important players on the team. When he was out in the ladder stages of Missouri’s loss to Vanderbilt and the entirety of Week 11 against Texas A&M, his blocking presence was missed.
Norfleet’s showing in that department against Mississippi State only proved that further. The Tigers need Norfleet as healthy as possible moving forward.
Connor Weselman punted the football only three times against the Bulldogs, with an average of 39 yards per punt. Two of those went for 47 and 48 yards, but one went for only 22. The Tigers obviously don’t want Weselman on the field all that much, meaning the offense wouldn’t be doing their job, but finding some consistency in whatever number of times he does punt needs to come around.
His 22-yard punt in the third quarter was simply bad. It spun back 16 yards and placed Mississippi State a few yards away from midfield. Against a team with a more explosive offense and better pass protection, that could’ve, and probably would, lead to points.
Weselman’s other two were solid, but not being able to string three good ones together is an issue. Two weeks ago, against the Texas A&M Aggies, the same issues rose. This might not be the biggest of Missouri’s concerns at the moment, but Weselman’s punts have negatively affected Missouri and could continue to do so in the future.
Mississippi
Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for June 25, 2026
Odds of winning the Powerball and Mega Millions are NOT in your favor
Odds of hitting the jackpot in Mega Millions or Powerball are around 1-in-292 million. Here are things that you’re more likely to land than big bucks.
The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 25, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from June 25 drawing
01-06-09-13-23
Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from June 25 drawing
Midday: 3-3-8, FB: 5
Evening: 4-0-8, FB: 7
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from June 25 drawing
Midday: 2-8-3-2, FB: 5
Evening: 5-0-3-2, FB: 7
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 25 drawing
Midday: 01
Evening: 07
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.
Mississippi
Mississippi Legislature will talk school choice, redistricting in 2027
See video of MS Lt. Gov. Hosemann speaking on redistricting
Mississippi Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann speaks on redistricting during the Neshoba County Fair in Philadelphia, MS, on June 24, 2026.
PHILADELPHIA — When asked about his campaign plans for the statewide elections in November 2027, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann has avoided giving a straight answer. Usually, he tells the media that his next focus is a long checklist of priorities to tackle next legislative session.
The governor’s race next year, the first this decade without term-limited incumbent Gov. Tate Reeves, is rumored to feature a crowded field. For current officeholders, even those who don’t work directly with the state Legislature, the bills that they can endorse and urge across the finish line are often the feathers in their cap touted on the campaign trail.
During the two days of political speaking at the Neshoba County Fair, Hosemann and other state leaders gave attendees a clearer view of what their goals are for those 60 days of debate.
Redistricting
One of the priorities common to most speakers was legislative and congressional redistricting in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decision that prohibited drawing voting districts on the basis of race. Reeves initially called a special session on redistricting, specifically regarding the state Supreme Court districts, but he later canceled it.
The governor opted to cancel the session, he said, because Mississippi had already had its primary. Instead, he charged Hosemann and House Speaker Jason White, the leaders of each chamber, with navigating the process during the next legislative session.
Through their redistricting committees, both said at the Neshoba County Fair, they are preparing to do exactly that.
“The Democrats used [prior Supreme Court rulings] to make sure they elected Democrats and not the people that you wanted. Now the Supreme Court has changed that, and we’re back to ground one where we should be,” Hosemann said. “We’ve appointed a committee, they’ll be out in Mississippi … looking at who do you want to represent you and how is your district to be set up? It’s coming back to the people where it was before, where it should be today.”
Mississippi Rep. Scott Bounds and Sen. Lane Taylor, both of whom represent the Neshoba County area, are on their respective redistricting committees. Both promised that redistricting is among the first issues that the Legislature plans to take up in January, with Bounds adding that the focus is on redrawing the state legislative districts.
“I believe the best way to enact common sense, conservative policies is by electing Republicans to office,” Jason White said. “The Mississippi House of Representatives stands for that, and we will examine redistricting and elect more Republicans to local, state and federal offices.”
Reeves confirmed that he “would not be surprised” if there is a special session before the next legislative session begins in January, but that even without it, the Legislature “would definitely have redistricting done” before the statewide elections in November 2027. Reeves has the power to call a special session at any point.
K-12 and higher education
Hosemann and White took, if not opposite perspectives, then at least different approaches to improving the state’s public and higher education systems.
White’s primary focus, he said in his speech, lays again with school choice. He told the crowd that, while lawmakers were still drafting legislation, Mississippians could expect to see a similar attempt this upcoming year as representatives put forward in January.
“I think you’ll see most statewide candidates for governor fully endorsing the idea of school choice and pushing it forward. I think the reason they will do that is because they’re smart, they’ve been polling, they’re spending their money to see what issues are important to people,” White said after giving his speech. “They’re finding out that when you get outside of the room and have a real conversation with parents, they want those choices.”
The 500-page, sweeping bill from last year primarily proposed using state money to fund vouchers for students to attend private and charter schools. It passed the House, where it originated, in a narrow vote before getting a resounding “no” vote in the Senate education committee.
“I wish the Senate would come forward and say, ‘Look, we don’t want to go through all that again. Here’s what we would do,’” White said. “I wish there would be a way to find a win-win, but to this point, they’ve been unwilling to have a conversation. That makes it tough politics for me when they’re unwilling to even have a conversation.”
Hosemann has loudly opposed state-funded vouchers, and he took the dais to advocate for more funding in public schools. One of his education priorities for the next year, he told the crowd, was opening more special-purpose schools for children with disabilities and developmental disorders such as autism.
Where Hosemann and White have agreed is that Mississippi’s education systems are bloated. Hosemann spoke specifically about higher education, telling reporters after his speech that some institutions graduate fewer than 25% of their enrollment. He touted the benefits of performance-based funding in ensuring that schools are motivated to educate high-performing students, and Mississippians could likely see changes to the funding formula in 2027.
White has largely focused, for the moment, on K-12 public schools. He formed a committee on school consolidation that has zeroed in on small schools and districts, and top officials with the state education department have asked for the Legislature to draft a framework for closing schools in the coming years.
How big should the government be?
Maybe the only thing that every Republican speaker agreed on was that Mississippi’s government needs to be smaller, but they phrased reform in different ways.
Reeves promoted artificial intelligence that makes workflows more efficient and decreases the number of state employees needed to do a certain job. White urged the government to decrease property taxes, because the burden makes property owners “feel like they rent the property that they own.”
Hosemann pointed to a Senate committee on efficiency and transparency that has moved to eliminate 17 government committees and boards he described as useless. White formed a similar special committee on government efficiency that has met over the summer to weigh cost-cutting measures.
While details on which departments could be downsized and precise estimates of potential savings have not been publicly outlined, nearly every state official, member of the Legislature and candidate who spoke at the Neshoba County Fair promised significant reform next session.
Bea Anhuci is the state government reporter for the Clarion Ledger. She has covered Mississippi politics since the start of 2026. Email her at banhuci@usatodayco.com.
Mississippi
Where to see fireworks and celebrate Fourth of July in, near Jackson
Celebrate the Fourth of July at these free events with fireworks displays in the Jackson area.
How to help your dog deal with July 4 fireworks
The loud bang of fireworks causes anxiety for dogs. Here’s how to help your pet on July 4.
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.
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