Mississippi

Inside Brian O’Connor’s first month as Mississippi State baseball coach: Ace Reese and more

Published

6 months ago

July 3, 2025

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Inside Brian O’Connor’s first month as Mississippi State baseball coach: Ace Reese and more

Brian O’Connor addresses rumors surrounding Ace Reese’s potential transfer, emphasizing Reese’s commitment to Mississippi State.
He outlines the team’s potential remaining needs in the transfer portal.
He shares anecdotes about his adjustment to Starkville, from initial technical difficulties to frequenting local restaurants.

STARKVILLE — Brian O’Connor describes the first month on the job as the new Mississippi State baseball coach as “great” but also a “storm of a bunch of things at once.”

O’Connor, 54, was hired on June 1 after 22 seasons at Virginia. It came an hour after the Bulldogs’ season ended in the Tallahassee Regional.

The transfer portal opened the next day. His formal introduction was June 5 at Dudy Noble Field. One day later, the House Settlement was approved, allowing schools to directly pay athletes via revenue sharing beginning July 1.

All of that has impacted what MSU has done in the last month. O’Connor and his staff have been working the phones, travelling across the country and hosting visitors in order to retool the roster not just for next season, but future ones too.

They also worked to retain key players from the 2025 team, like Ace Reese. He did all of this while attempting to get acclimated to a new life in Starkville.

O’Connor spoke with The Clarion Ledger on July 3 in a nearly 20-minute interview to discuss his first month as the Bulldogs coach. He discussed keeping Reese at Mississippi State, remaining needs in the transfer portal and how he’s becoming familiar with Starkville — including double-digit visits to the same well-known breakfast restaurant.

“I’ve just kind of taken the attitude of, ‘Hey, bring it on, what’s next and what’s most important now,’ ” he said.

What Brian O’Connor said of Ace Reese transfer rumors

Rumors circulated before the transfer portal closed on July 1 that Reese, the SEC Newcomer of the Year, could be entering the portal. The third baseman has one more year until he’s eligible for the MLB draft, making him possibly one of the top returning players in the country.

Even though Reese announced on June 6 that he’d be returning to Mississippi State, it still put fans on edge until the portal finally closed. Reese batted .371 this season with 21 home runs and 66 RBIs while leading the SEC in the regular season in total bases (161) and slugging percentage (.767).

“Nobody knows where those come from,” said O’Connor of the rumors. “Are they put forth by other people outside of Mississippi State? Nobody knows. Sometimes rumors are put out there to create doubt.

“But, I’ll tell you the month of June, it wasn’t just Ace Reese. It was other players too that you’re spending time (with) them getting to know me and what my beliefs are as a man and as a leader of the program, but also to what we believe in from a development standpoint. You’re constantly having conversations.”

O’Connor said he’s flown up to Massachusetts to visit the Cape Cod League where current players and transfers are playing this summer, plus there are high school recruits in the area. He also went to Cary, North Carolina where the US National Team is located. Mississippi State has Reese, Ryan McPherson and Tomas Valincius — a Virginia pitching transfer — all on the collegiate team.

“I never want to speak for a player, but Ace Reese shared with me that he 100% believes that Mississippi State is the right place for him to continue his career,” O’Connor said.

What Brian O’Connor says are remaining needs in transfer portal

Mississippi State has acquired 15 players from the transfer portal as of July 3. Meanwhile, 14 MSU players have transferred out. Many of those players coming to MSU are following O’Connor from Virginia. Some of the transfers might not make it to MSU, though, if they are picked in the MLB draft and sign professional contracts. The draft starts July 13.

O’Connor said that the Bulldogs are still looking at adding a catcher, an infielder and an “athletic bat” in the outfield.

“That doesn’t mean we’re for sure going to acquire them,” he said. “We’re entertaining it because you have to be thoughtful about all the different scenarios with regards to the draft because you still have a roster limitation. Everybody in college baseball is kind of in the same realm right now.”

Brian O’Connor’s adjustment to Starkville

Even with the busy month of recruiting and travelling, O’Connor also had to work through the regular onboarding process for employees. And just like any other new employee at a company, onboarding is not always completely smooth.

His computer, for example, wasn’t able to print documents when he first started. Anything he wanted printed had to be emailed to another staff member with a working computer.

“Just little hiccups that you go through,” O’Connor said. “Now, I have a new computer, and as of yesterday, I was so excited. This morning, I was actually able to print some of these documents that I need for recruiting and stuff.”

Hosting recruits, he said, has also allowed him time to see Starkville a bit more than he did in the first week.

“I never would have thought that I could’ve already had 10 breakfasts at the Starkville Cafe,” O’Connor said. “I think I’ve had three or four at Bluto’s (Greek Tavern). … Many evenings at 10 or 11 o’clock at night, I do take a 30-40 minute walk through campus, just to kind of let go a little bit. That’s been a really enjoyable time for me.”

O’Connor has three kids with his wife, Cindy. One of their daughters, Ellie, works as the assistant to the AD at Florida for Scott Stricklin. Stricklin was the Mississippi State athletic director from 2010-16. Their son, Dillon, will be a senior in high school next year and is committed to play baseball at James Madison.

The plan is for Cindy and Dillon to live in Virginia for one more year until Dillon finishes high school.

“I haven’t looked at houses or where we’re going to live or anything like that,” O’Connor said. “That’s down the road. I need to take care of first and foremost what needs to be done.”

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

Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for Dec. 19, 2025

Published

4 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Press Room

Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for Dec. 19, 2025

The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 19, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

06-11-22-30-32

Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 3 numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

Midday: 1-3-7, FB: 8

Evening: 1-0-0, FB: 9

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

Midday: 3-6-7-5, FB: 8

Evening: 4-2-1-2, FB: 9

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

Midday: 10

Evening: 04

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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Mississippi

Our College Football Playoff picks: Can Oregon reach the National Championship?

Published

16 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

Our College Football Playoff picks: Can Oregon reach the National Championship?

With the College Football Playoff finally here, the Oregonian/OregonLive sports staff returns with its final predictions for the 2025-2026 season.

No. 5 Oregon starts its CFP campaign with a matchup against 12-seed James Madison on Saturday, in what will be the first-ever playoff game held at Autzen Stadium. The Ducks are a heavy favorite, and many of our experts predict them to make a deep playoff run after beating the Dukes.

In addition to UO hosting JMU, this weekend’s first-round CFP slate includes showdowns between No. 9 Alabama and No. 8 Oklahoma, No. 10 Miami and No. 7 Texas A&M, as well as No. 11 Tulane and No. 6 Mississippi.

Our staff has made predictions for all playoff games from now until the championship on Jan. 19. Check out the picks below.

No. 9 Alabama at No. 8 Oklahoma

Game details: 5 p.m. PT Friday at Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma

TV channel and live stream: ABC and ESPN

Latest line: Sooners by 1½

Over/under: 40½

Ryan Clarke: Alabama 31, Oklahoma 20

James Crepea: Alabama 28, Oklahoma 21

Nick Daschel: Oklahoma 27, Alabama 23

Aaron Fentress: Oklahoma 27, Alabama 24

Sean Meagher: Alabama 28, Oklahoma 26

Joel Odom: Alabama 27, Oklahoma 20

Bill Oram: Oklahoma 28, Alabama 21

No. 10 Miami at No. 7 Texas A&M

Game details: 9 a.m. PT Saturday at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas

TV channel and live stream: ABC and ESPN

Latest line: Aggies by 3½

Over/under: 48½

Ryan Clarke: Miami 21, Texas A&M 20

James Crepea: Miami 21, Texas A&M 14

Nick Daschel: Miami 31, Texas A&M 27

Aaron Fentress: Texas A&M 31, Miami 30

Sean Meagher: Texas A&M 35, Miami 24

Joel Odom: Texas A&M 23, Miami 21

Bill Oram: Miami 42, Texas A&M 35

No. 11 Tulane at No. 6 Mississippi

Game details: 12:30 p.m. PT Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi

TV channel and live stream: TNT, HBO Max and truTV

Latest line: Rebels by 17½

Over/under: 56½

Ryan Clarke: Mississippi 35, Tulane 13

James Crepea: Mississippi 35, Tulane 14

Nick Daschel: Mississippi 38, Tulane 24

Aaron Fentress: Miss 40, Tulane 17

Sean Meagher: Mississippi 38, Tulane 21

Joel Odom: Mississippi 35, Tulane 16

Bill Oram: Mississippi 38, Tulane 17

No. 12 James Madison at No. 5 Oregon

Game details: 4:30 p.m. PT Saturday at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon

TV channel and live stream: TNT, HBO Max and truTV

Latest line: Ducks by 20½

Over/under: 47½

Ryan Clarke: Oregon 45, James Madison 7

James Crepea: Oregon 35, James Madison 7

Nick Daschel: Oregon 45, JMU 10

Aaron Fentress: Oregon 41, JMU 16

Sean Meagher: Oregon 42, James Madison 17

Joel Odom: Oregon 38, James Madison 19

Bill Oram: Oregon 40, JMU 13

Quarterfinals

Cotton Bowl: Miami-Texas A&M winner vs. No. 2 Ohio State

Game details: 4:30 p.m. PT on Wednesday, Dec. 31 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas

TV channel and live stream: ESPN

Ryan Clarke: Ohio State 31, Miami 17

James Crepea: Ohio State 35, Miami 14

Nick Daschel: Ohio State 34, Miami 17

Aaron Fentress: OSU 33, Texas A&M 20

Sean Meagher: Ohio State 35, Texas A&M 24

Joel Odom: Ohio State 31, Texas A&M 21

Bill Oram: Ohio State 31, Miami 24

Orange Bowl: JMU-Oregon winner vs. No. 4 Texas Tech

Game details: 9 a.m. PT on Thursday, Jan. 1 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida

TV channel and live stream: ESPN

Ryan Clarke: Oregon 27, Texas Tech 20

James Crepea: Oregon 28, Texas Tech 21

Nick Daschel: Oregon 30, Texas Tech 24

Aaron Fentress: Oregon 27, Texas Tech 24

Sean Meagher: Oregon 37, Texas Tech 35

Joel Odom: Oregon 30, Texas Tech 24

Bill Oram: Oregon 38, Texas Tech 30

Rose Bowl: Alabama-Oklahoma winner vs. No. 1 Indiana

Game details: 1 p.m. PT on Thursday, Jan. 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California

TV channel and live stream: ESPN

Ryan Clarke: Indiana 34, Alabama 24

James Crepea: Indiana 35, Alabama 28

Nick Daschel: Indiana 34, Oklahoma 24

Aaron Fentress: Indiana 29, Oklahoma 20

Sean Meagher: Indiana 33, Alabama 23

Joel Odom: Indiana 28, Alabama 17

Bill Oram: Indiana 10, Oklahoma 7

Sugar Bowl: Tulane-Mississippi winner vs. No. 3 Georgia

Game details: 5 p.m. PT on Thursday, Jan. 1 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana

TV channel and live stream: ESPN

Ryan Clarke: Georgia 20, Mississippi 10

James Crepea: Georgia 28, Mississippi 21

Nick Daschel: Georgia 30, Mississippi 7

Aaron Fentress: Georgia 30, Mississippi 22

Sean Meagher: Georgia 28, Mississippi 20

Joel Odom: Georgia 25, Mississippi 22

Bill Oram: Georgia 45, Mississippi 35

Semifinals

Fiesta Bowl: Cotton vs. Sugar winners

Game details: 4:30 p.m. PT on Thursday, Jan. 8 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona

TV channel and live stream: ESPN

Ryan Clarke: Ohio State 23, Georgia 20

James Crepea: Ohio State 28, Georgia 21

Nick Daschel: Georgia 29, Ohio State 23

Aaron Fentress: Ohio State 27, Georgia 26

Sean Meagher: Ohio State 28, Georgia 21

Joel Odom: Georgia 31, Ohio State 21

Bill Oram: Ohio State 42, Georgia 41

Peach Bowl: Orange vs. Rose winners

Game details: 4:30 p.m. PT Friday, Jan. 9 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia

TV channel and live stream: ESPN

Ryan Clarke: Indiana 30, Oregon 24

James Crepea: Indiana 35, Oregon 24

Nick Daschel: Oregon 31, Indiana 23

Aaron Fentress: Indiana 30, Oregon 23

Sean Meagher: Indiana 27, Oregon 24

Joel Odom: Oregon 34, Indiana 24

Bill Oram: Oregon 30, Indiana 20

National Championship

Semifinal winners

Game details: 4:30 p.m. PT on Monday, Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida

TV channel and live stream: ESPN

Ryan Clarke: Ohio State 25, Indiana 21

James Crepea: Ohio State 28, Indiana 24

Nick Daschel: Georgia 28, Oregon 17

Aaron Fentress: Ohio State 22, Indiana 20

Sean Meagher: Ohio State 33, Indiana 31

Joel Odom: Georgia 30, Oregon 27

Bill Oram: Ohio State 32, Oregon 31

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Mississippi

Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for Dec. 18, 2025

Published

1 day ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 18, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from Dec. 18 drawing

01-06-18-19-35

Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 3 numbers from Dec. 18 drawing

Midday: 1-9-0, FB: 3

Evening: 3-8-2, FB: 7

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from Dec. 18 drawing

Midday: 0-3-9-4, FB: 3

Evening: 7-2-8-2, FB: 7

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 18 drawing

Midday: 02

Evening: 10

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.

Mississippi Lottery Corporation

P.O. Box 321462

Flowood, MS

39232

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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