Mississippi
Mississippi State drops first SEC game of the season, falling to Florida 45-28 – SuperTalk Mississippi
While execution for the Mississippi State football team surpassed last week’s loss to Toledo, the Bulldogs’ first conference game of the season ended in a 45-28 loss to Florida in Starkville on Saturday.
Jeff Lebby’s system on offense showed flashes against the Gators, totaling 480 yards and four scores. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, the defense could not stop the two-quarterback attack of Florida and allowed a total of 503 yards. Here’s a short recap of what happened.
Two quarterbacks working to save Napier’s job
As calls for Florida head coach Billy Napier to be fired have grown loud after a lousy start that included losses to Miami and Texas A&M, starting SEC play with a win over Mississippi State should hush some of the concerns, for now.
Senior Graham Mertz and freshman DJ Lagway both took significant snaps during Saturday’s win. Mertz had a solid showing, throwing for 201 yards on 19 of 21 passing. Lagway was a perfect 7 for 7 for 76 passing yards while adding 22 yards rushing.
The two-quarterback system turned into a three-quarterback day after Mertz and Lagway provided enough insurance for the win. Late in the fourth quarter, Michael Van Buren, Jr., came in and led a scoring drive as the clock expired.
Mississippi State offense evolving
Despite pulling the game within one score on two different occasions, the Mississippi State offense could not overcome the defense’s deficiencies to nab the first conference win under first-year head coach Jeff Lebby.
It was evident the rushing attack was harped on this week during practice as the Bulldogs ran the ball for 236 yards on 50 carries after gaining just 66 yards on the ground against Toledo a week ago. Johnny Daniels, Davon Booth, and Keyvone Lee each had a touchdown with their legs.
Before leaving midway through the fourth quarter with an injury, Shapen was solid in the air game, throwing for 140 yards on 13 of 21 passing with a touchdown. The Baylor transfer threw no interceptions in the game.
The defense is devolving
Even with Mississippi State safety Isaac Smith being the top tackler in Division I FBS heading into the game against Florida, the unit could not stop the Gators on the ground or in the air.
The pass rush was notably absent with zero sacks and just two tackles made behind the line of scrimmage. The secondary was picked apart by Mertz and Lagway with the Bulldogs only tallying one pass breakup.
On the season, Mississippi State continued to find its seat in the cellar of the SEC when it comes to total defense. Going into the game, Florida and Mississippi State were ranked last and second to last in the conference, with the Gators showing they might be a bit better on that side of the ball than the Bulldogs.
Another stat worth pointing out is that five of Mississippi State’s top seven tacklers are secondary players, which means too many explosive plays are happening as the box has failed to stop the run and get pressure on the quarterback.
What the coach said
After the game, Lebby was not pleased with the defense failing to provide the offense with enough opportunities. At times, if the defense could have just found a turnover, it could have been the difference in a 14-point game and a tied game.
“It’s unfortunate the situation we put ourselves in defensively,” Lebby said. “We forced a number of third downs that we could not take advantage of along with allowing a few explosive plays.”
Lebby is facing his first losing streak as a head coach as the Bulldogs have now lost three in a row – to Arizona State, Toledo, Florida – after a season-opening win over Eastern Kentucky.
Scoring summary
After allowing the first score to Florida with 3:39 in the opening quarter, Mississippi State running back Davon Booth dove for a five-yard touchdown run. Following the extra point conversion by Bulldog Kicker Kyle Ferrie with 21 seconds, the score was tied 7-7 at the end of the first quarter and this was the closest the Bulldogs would get.
The Gators scored three straight touchdowns on a 20-yard corner route to Marcus Burke from Mertz, a 35-yard go route between Mertz and Tight End Hayden Hansen, a 10-yard scamper from Ja’Kobi Jackson for a 28-7 lead with 1:17 left in the half.
Fortunately, Shapen and the Bulldog offense drove the field in six quick plays as the signal-caller snuck into the end zone from three yards out with 23 seconds left until the intermission. This cut into the deficit, but Mississippi State still trailed by two scores at the half.
Coming out of the gates, Florida was forced to punt on its first drive after the half, and the Bulldogs took advantage of the momentum shift by forcing a 13-play drive, which finished with a touchdown pass from Shapen to Jordan Mosley. Once the PAT was good, the score was 28-21 and this would be the closest Mississippi State could manage.
Florida scored 17 straight punts and the Bulldogs turned the ball over inside the goal line at the start of the fourth quarter. Despite Van Buren’s entrance and Mississippi State’s score, the Gators’ lead was insurmountable.
Next up
The Mississippi State Bulldogs will hit the road next week, playing against No. 1 Texas Longhorns in Austin next Saturday. That game will kick off at a time to be determined.
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY, Mo. (KFVS) – A 10-year-old girl is seriously injured following a UTV crash on Friday, June 26.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s crash report, a 10-year-old girl from Sikeston was driving a UTV southbound on Levee Road, 11 miles east of East Prairie.
MSHP said the crash occurred around 11 a.m. as the vehicle travelled off the left side of the roadway, returned to the road and then overturned.
The girl was taken by ambulance to a hospital in Cape Girardeau for serious injuries.
Copyright 2026 KFVS. All rights reserved.
IRS raises 401(k) contribution limits for 2026
IRS increases 401(k) and catch-up contribution limits for 2026, allowing workers to save up to $32,500 for retirement.
Many Americans worry their retirement savings won’t last — and a new report suggests that fear may be justified in Mississippi.
Surveys have shown that Americans fear running out of money in retirement more than they fear death itself. People are living longer, which means retirement lasts longer, and retirement costs are rising.
A new report from CareScout, the long-term care network, finds that the average American at age 65 faces a retirement shortfall of $109,000. That’s the difference between how much income they can expect, from Social Security, savings and other sources, and how much they should plan to spend on the expenses of daily life.
American retirees are likely to outlive their savings in 41 states, according to the data.
The report draws on state-level estimates of life expectancy at age 65 (16 to 20 years, more or less, depending on the state), average retirement benefits, median net worth and expected retirement expenses.
How likely are you to outlive your retirement savings in Mississippi? Here’s what we know about life expectancy, expenses and how much retiring here costs.
Mississippi retirees face a $160K savings gap
The average Mississippi senior can expect about $682,000 in expenses and $521,000 in income in retirement. Projected shortfall: $160,000.
It’s the 13th-largest shortfall in the U.S.
The state has some of the most affordable food costs and home prices in the country, but overall wages are also much lower than the national average.
What’s a realistic retirement age in Mississippi?
Nasdaq studied realistic retirement numbers for each state. For Mississippi, they determined that a realistic retirement age is 61 and recommend having at least $764,676 saved.
Mississippi residents aren’t taxed on income from:
- Social Security benefits
- IRAs
- 401(k)s
- Pensions
- Military benefits
The state income tax is also being phased out.
How long Mississippians live after age 65
Mississippi ranked next-to-last for life expectancy in a CDC list of all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Data from 2022 is the newest available.
The Magnolia State had an average life expectancy of 72.6 years.
For men, Mississippi ranked 51st at 69.5 years. Women ranked 50th with an average life expectancy of 75.7.
At age 65, people in Mississippi are expected to live another 16.7 years, on average. It’s about 15.3 years for men and 17.9 years for women.
Retirement may last longer than you think
American life expectancy is about 79 years. By the time you reach retirement, however, you can expect to live longer than the overall life expectancy figure suggests. A woman of 70, for example, can expect to live to 87.
Many older Americans don’t know how long their own retirement is going to last: in other words, how long they are going to live.
Longevity literacy matters in retirement planning. If your retirement budget assumes you will live to 75, and you make it to 95, you will probably run out of money.
How to make your retirement savings last
Don’t want to outlive your savings? Here are some tips from the experts.
Ways to grow your retirement account faster
One surefire way to build retirement savings is to make aggressive contributions to a workplace retirement account.
The most successful retirement savers typically start saving early, contribute at least 10% of their income to a 401(k)-type account, and save continuously until they retire.
And try not to raid your retirement savings for a household expense. Instead, open an emergency savings account.
How timing Social Security affects your monthly check
The longer you wait to claim Social Security, the larger your monthly benefit checks will be.
Based on the longevity figures above, you’re generally better off claiming Social Security later in life, if you can afford to wait. Ideally, wait until age 70, when your monthly benefit maxes out.
In a 2025 story, USA TODAY explained the math behind that rule of thumb.
Mississippi cities certified for retirement living
There are 13 cities and towns in the Mississippi Hometown Retirement Program, also known as Welcome Home Mississippi.
The program encourages more people to retire in the Magnolia State. It uses no state income tax on retirement income, a tax exemption on the first $75,000 of a home’s true value and no state gift or inheritance taxes as selling points.
Certified cities “maintain high standards and boast many of the qualities and amenities retirees often seek when choosing a retirement destination,” according to the Welcome Home website.
Cities in the program include:
Daniel de Visé covers personal finance for USA Today and writes the Daily Money newsletter.
Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with USA TODAY Network. Email her at bbolden@usatodayco.com.
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.
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