Mississippi
Embarrassing stat summarizes Mississippi State’s abysmal defensive line play in 2024
Mississippi State football had an ugly 2024 season, and among the biggest reasons for that was their defense. The Bulldogs fielded one of the very worst defenses in the country. Their 34.1 points per game allowed ranks 118th. They’re 127th in total defense at 456.4 yards per game allowed.
Those numbers are some of the very worst in program history. And when you start digging into the stats for a notable position group on the defense, it gets even uglier.
There’s very little debate about which position group was the worst for Mississippi State. Their defensive line was the worst that it’s been in decades. They got bullied by nearly every opposing offensive line they faced, even the non-SEC ones. They’d get blown off the line of scrimmage against the run, and they could not generate pass rush at all.
Just how bad was their pass rush? The Clarion Ledger’s Sam Sklar put out a stat that speaks volumes to how horrendous they were at pressuring opposing quarterbacks.
#MississippiState defensive linemen accounted for only four sacks this season. Kalvin Dinkins was the only one with more than 0.5, and he only played in one game.
— Sam Sklar (@sklarsam_) November 30, 2024
On the year, Mississippi State defensive lineman combined for 4.0 sacks total. FOUR. There are 13 defensive lineman on the roster. Now obviously not all of those guys played, and the defensive line did deal with considerable injuries throughout the year. But having just four sacks from that position group is absurd.
And it gets worse. Out of the six Bulldog defensive lineman to register at least 0.5 sack, you know who led the group? Kalvin Dinkins, who only played in one game the entire year! Dinkins recorded 1.0 sack in the season opener. He got injured in that game and missed the rest of the season. And yet that 1.0 sack was enough to lead the position group.
That is flat out embarrassing. Now it should be acknowledged that a few of the MSU linebackers play hybrid roles in which they’re effectively acting as defensive ends. But even accounting for that, you only add 2.5 more sacks to the total. That doesn’t make it any better.
As a team, Mississippi State managed just 10.0 total sacks. That was the second-worst total in the entire country. The Bulldogs were the only team in the SEC to not record at least 22.0 sacks this year. If you’re curious how the in-state rivals did, Ole Miss led the country with 52.0 sacks. They were literally 5.2x better than State at getting quarterbacks on the ground. That’s the difference between having legitimate NFL talent up front and trotting out whatever MSU did this season.
It’s the understatement of the century to say that Mississippi State can’t afford another season being that bad along the defensive line. Their lack of talent in that room is far and away the biggest reason the defense was so bad in 2024.
They’ve got some pieces at linebacker. They’ve got some pieces in the secondary. But when your line is getting pushed back with no resistance on every run play and they give quarterbacks all day to throw, you have no chance at having success on defense.
It is a must that they land multiple high-level transfers along the defensive line. It is a must that they sign multiple defensive lineman in their 2025 class that can make immediate impacts next fall. They simply cannot run it back with the group from this season. If they don’t improve the talent in the defensive line room, you won’t see a noticeably better defense in 2025.
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.
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Gov. Tate Reeves said Mississippi’s total nonfarm employment reached a new all-time high in May, topping 1.19 million jobs.
The state said the number shows its economic development strategy is working. Workforce leaders said the job market includes opportunities for people who are unemployed or looking for better-paying work.
Workforce leaders point to training options
Blaise King, director of strategy and alignment for Accelerate Mississippi, said job seekers should not let timelines or a lack of skills keep them from pursuing work.
“Not everything has to be a degree. It can be short-term training that can get you into work quickly and making good money,” King said.
King said Mississippi is seeing strong demand for construction jobs, driven in part by new data centers coming to the state. He said those jobs can lead to long-term careers.
“Someone could very easily have a career in the construction trades and move up beyond manual labor to the project manager and things like that to really have a high quality of life for them, for their family, and contribute back to society,” King said.
Advanced manufacturing is also a high-priority occupational sector.
Employers looking for skills and commitment
John McKay, president and CEO of the Mississippi Business Alliance, said opportunities exist across job sectors.
“There’s really no sector where there’s no opportunity,” McKay said.
McKay said companies are willing to invest in workers who show commitment.
“They’re willing to put that money on the line because they are really there. There’s a deep need for skilled people who can come in and kind of be ready on day one, and they’re willing to invest that capital in that,” McKay said.
McKay said soft skills can help job seekers get started.
“I will say that employers are most excited about an individual that has the drive and determination to show up to work every day and put in the effort. And so if your problem is you think you have a lack of skill or education, do not let that be a barrier,” McKay said.
While opportunities exist statewide, unemployment rates show an uneven distribution of economic success. The rates range from a low of 2.5% in Rankin County to a high of 8.8% in Issaquena County.
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