Mississippi
How Mississippi State baseball’s Brad Cumbest became 2022 MLB Draft prospect
![How Mississippi State baseball’s Brad Cumbest became 2022 MLB Draft prospect How Mississippi State baseball’s Brad Cumbest became 2022 MLB Draft prospect](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2021/06/21/PJAM/7f1c4b6f-0389-4a12-95e5-b2f30ae292ea-USATSI_16287320.jpg?crop=2584,1454,x1,y74&width=660&height=372&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
STARKVILLE — From taking part in in soccer coach Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense, Mississippi State’s Brad Cumbest doubtless heard the significance of repetition.
Again and again.
Reps are essentially the most vital part to Leach’s system. It’s why his offense improved in his second yr, and it’s doubtless why Cumbest’s has discovered athletic success — away from soccer.
Cumbest got here to Mississippi State as a two-sport athlete, with baseball complementing soccer. His 6-foot-5, 240-pound body made it evident why MSU and Ole Miss needed him taking part in soccer.
![Mississippi State wide receiver Brad Cumbest (25) pulls in a 10-yard touchdown pass reception in front of Missouri safety Martez Manuel (3) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2019, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/ac401ed4ab032abd1fd13f3ef925ab5f9c757b3b/c=0-194-3737-2296/local/-/media/2020/12/19/USATODAY/usatsports/156c996cbb1547f1b97a7e705316c957.jpg?width=660&height=372&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
MSU BASEBALL: AD John Cohen assured in Chris Lemonis’ plan
HUNTER HINES: How the MSU freshman made a direct influence
However when he arrived to Starkville, he wasn’t reaching his potential in both. In three soccer seasons, the receiver caught 5 passes for 49 yards and a landing. Taking part in baseball in that span, he hit .280 with seven dwelling runs, 33 RBIs and 55 strikeouts in 193 at-bats.
So, he adopted Leach’s recommendation. He determined to extend his reps by stepping away from soccer.
Cumbest turned his full consideration to baseball and developed right into a profitable prospect for the 2022 MLB Draft.
“He has made an enormous bounce,” first baseman Luke Hancock stated. “For him, it was simply at-bats. He actually didn’t get to ever have a fall with us. Even this previous fall (2021), I believe he was harm. Getting right here within the spring, he simply took off for us. He was one in every of our greatest gamers all yr.”
Cumbest confirmed flashes in Mississippi State’s nationwide championship run a yr in the past. He hit .306 in 121 at-bats, however his incapacity to regulate to off-speed pitches stored him from garnering MLB consideration.
This season he hit .302 with 15 dwelling runs and 39 RBIs. He struck out 46 occasions in 202 at-bats.
Cumbest realized to not solely lay off the off-speed pitches however how one can drive them as properly. In an April 15 win towards Auburn, Cumbest hit one in every of his signature line drive dwelling runs out to left middle.
The three-run blast got here on a 2-1 hanging slider on the skin a part of the zone.
“I’m attempting to put off from swinging at them within the filth,” Cumbest joked postgame.
Cumbest has the upside to go within the first 5 rounds of the draft in July, in response to MLB.com. His measurement attracts comparisons to slugger Giancarlo Stanton of the New York Yankees.
A fifth-round choice places Cumbest within the vary of a $300-400,000 signing bonus. Cumbest is a senior who graduated, however he has a yr of eligibility remaining because of the additional COVID-19 yr.
Nevertheless, his return appears unlikely which implies his MSU profession, regardless of an electrifying remaining season, ended on a somber word.
Cumbest took half in senior day festivities previous to the season finale towards Tennessee, which coach Chris Lemonis stated was his remaining sport at Dudy Noble Discipline.
On a brief flyball to left, Cumbest collided with shortstop Lane Forsythe. Cumbest hit his jaw on the highest of Forsythe’s head, forcing the outfielder out of the sport earlier than an at-bat.
“It was powerful as a result of I understand how a lot he cares about this college and this workforce,” Hancock stated.
Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat author for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or comply with him on Twitter @skrajisnik3.
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Mississippi
This drive showed where Mississippi State football offense can improve for Arizona State
![This drive showed where Mississippi State football offense can improve for Arizona State This drive showed where Mississippi State football offense can improve for Arizona State](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/09/01/PNAS/75036945007-usatsi-24127468.jpg?auto=webp&crop=2927,1648,x0,y152&format=pjpg&width=1200)
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football’s offense had a high-flying Saturday in coach Jeff Lebby’s first game.
It scored touchdowns on six of its first nine drives — one of which was a one-play kneel down to end the first half — leaving Eastern Kentucky buried early and deep at Davis Wade Stadium. It was a 56-7 win for the Bulldogs, with them leading 35-0 at one point in the first half.
Baylor transfer Blake Shapen was superb at quarterback and numerous wide receivers such as Jordan Mosley, Kevin Coleman, Mario Craver Jr. and Creed Whittemore made big plays against EKU (0-1).
Even still, Lebby wasn’t completely satisfied with the performance.
“I think there was a whole lot of good,” Lebby said postgame. “Proud of our guys for their energy and their competitive spirit and toughness they played with, but there’s so many things to clean up. I think that’s the biggest takeaway is that you got a chance to go win the way we won, but we’re going to need to play better, play cleaner and that’s where we’re going to look forward to as we get back into it.”
Take Mississippi State’s third offensive drive as an example of where it can improve.
It was the Bulldogs first drive where they didn’t score points, even though it began at the MSU 46-yard line.
MSU (1-0) was penalized for an illegal formation on the first play of the drive, negating a 47-yard catch-and-run from Craver. Three plays later, after Shapen scrambled 12 yards for a first down, MSU was whistled for another illegal formation. Mississippi State then failed to convert on 4th-and-3 from the EKU 33-yard line.
Those were the only penalties committed by Mississippi State’s offense all night, but it’s not the first time we’ve heard of those types of MSU infractions. In the preseason, following Mississippi State’s first scrimmage that was closed to the public, Lebby noted that “non-playing penalties” were a work in progress.
Players have said that Lebby’s up-tempo pace has been an adjustment. Perhaps it’s one that’s still ongoing.
“Looking back at the game, we did a lot of good things, but there were a couple drives that we killed the drive,” Shapen said. “So, we can keep getting better. I think an emphasis for me is just to let everybody know that we haven’t arrived or anything. We got a lot more to prove, especially going in to play a good Arizona State team next week.”
MORE: Jeff Lebby says Mississippi State football didn’t put on a good enough show. Here’s how he’s wrong
Arizona State might be better than anticipated
MSU’s Week 2 game at Arizona State (9:30 p.m., ESPN) was always going to be its most challenging in the nonconference schedule, but it looks even more so now.
Arizona State routed Wyoming 48-7 on Saturday night. The Sun Devils were about a seven-point favorite entering the game in Tempe, and Wyoming, historically, is no cakewalk in the Group of 5. It was an impressive statement from second-year coach Kenny Dillingham after a 4-9 season in 2023.
The Sun Devils (1-0) scored two defensive touchdowns, forced three turnovers and held Wyoming (0-1) to 118 total yards of offense. Sixty-two of those yards came in the fourth quarter with the game already well decided.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
Mississippi
Mississippi St. demolishes E. Kentucky starting Lebby era with a 56-7 win
![Mississippi St. demolishes E. Kentucky starting Lebby era with a 56-7 win Mississippi St. demolishes E. Kentucky starting Lebby era with a 56-7 win](https://gray-wtok-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VYCPKDPAFNCQ7MPKI6MN6UNQPQ.jpg?auth=a9e701ad9d9fa6c59471fe95f662d6ce2c957c85d07602764abf0256bf71c407&width=1200&height=600&smart=true)
STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) — From the moment Jeff Lebby arrived in Starkville, the first-time head coach has preached that a show is coming to Mississippi State.
The Bulldogs certainly put on a show for game one of his tenure, as MSU had 450 yards of total offense and ran away with a 56-7 victory on Saturday against Eastern Kentucky. It gave the coach his first career win and kicked off a new era of football.
“One of the coolest things for myself and my family, the fans showed out. Over 10,000 students showed up and hung with us through the rain. They did an unbelievable job creating the energy,” he said.
All three phases scored for the Bulldogs with touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams.
On offense, quarterback Blake Shapen debuted the new scheme with a 15 of 20 showing as the Baylor transfer found the end zone three times through the air and had 247 yards. On the ground, Shapen led the team with seven carries for 44 yards and a rushing score.
“I felt like it was a good day for us,” Shapen said. “There are obviously some things we can clean up and get better at, but overall it was a great start to the season. I’m just thankful for this opportunity at a new place and I know a lot of guys feel that way.”
The Bulldogs (1-0) had four wide receivers score touchdowns as Jordan Mosely had five catches for 104 yards and a touchdown and Kevin Coleman had five catches for 88 yards and a score. Coleman also had five punt returns for 117 yards.
MSU scored touchdowns on its first two possessions before a rain storm dampened the progress. The Bulldogs were back in the end zone in the second quarter on a Creed Whittemore 41-yard end around and then back-to-back touchdown passes to Coleman from 23 yards away and freshman Mario Craver for 54 yards.
Special teams got in on the mix with a blocked punt from JP Purvis — recovered by Craver — and another true freshman in defensive back Elijah Cannon who had a 51-yard pick-6.
“It’s fun to see those guys go out there and make some plays. It’s a players’ game, players have got to make the plays,” Lebby said. “Fun for our sideline, fun for our guys to be able to see them make plays late in the game like this.”
EKU (0-1) scored a touchdown in the final seconds of the first half but was held scoreless in the final two frames. The Bulldogs allowed 130 second half yards. Despite running 19 more plays than State (76-57) the Colonels were outgained 450-285 with the Bulldogs averaging 7.9 yards per play.
“There are plenty of things that we have to clean up. We’ve got to play better, we’ve got to play cleaner,” Lebby said. “So much good, but so much to clean up. That was the message in the locker room.”
BIG PICTURE
EKU: The Colonels were simply overmatched, but the Colonels have a manageable schedule coming down the line.
Mississippi State: The Bulldogs have been searching for excitement and the team has it – at least for game one. State picked up nearly 500 yards of offense and showed explosiveness on that side of the ball as Lebby’s offense did its thing. There is a rough schedule on the horizon, but it appeared fun again for the Bulldogs.
UP NEXT
Eastern Kentucky travels to Western Kentucky on Sept. 7.
Mississippi State travels to Arizona State on Sept. 7.
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Mississippi
Seven Killed, Dozens Injured When Bus Flips in Mississippi
![Seven Killed, Dozens Injured When Bus Flips in Mississippi Seven Killed, Dozens Injured When Bus Flips in Mississippi](https://img2-azrcdn.newser.com/image/1556537-12-20240831141902.jpeg)
A commercial passenger bus driving through Mississippi on its way to Mexico ran off a highway and overturned early Saturday, killing seven people and injuring dozens. The accident occurred on Interstate 20 east of Vicksburg, CNN reports. A total of 37 people were taken to hospitals in Vicksburg and Jackson, the Mississippi Highway Patrol said. A 6-year-old boy and his 16-year-old sister were among those killed, per the AP. “Anytime you have people injured or killed, it’s tragic, but when you have a situation like this where you have multiple fatalities and multiple injuries, it makes it even worse,” said Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace.
The bus, a 2018 Volvo, is owned by Autobuses Regiomontanos, which transports passengers between Mexico and the US, a company spokesperson said. The company is based in Monterrey, Mexico, Miranda Fernandez said. Its website lists several US locations; it’s not clear where the trip had originated. “All of the passengers go through proper immigration checkpoints and must show their passports or visas to enter either Mexico or the United States,” Fernandez told CNN. (More bus accident stories.)
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