Mississippi State squares off with Illinois within the ReliaQuest Bowl on Monday because the loaded Jan. 2 bowl slate kicks off, and in the course of the matchup, the crew will paid tribute to the legacy of former coach Mike Leach with particular helmets designed in his honor. The college introduced shortly earlier than kickoff that the crew would put on maroon helmets with a white pirate flag to honor Leach, who famously had an curiosity within the historical past of the pirate life-style.
Leach died on December 13 on the age of 61 after problems from a coronary heart situation. He was hospitalized two days earlier than after struggling a medical situation at residence.
Beneath you’ll be able to take a look on the helmets Bulldog gamers will put on towards the Combating Illini on Monday.
When the sport started, Mississippi State acquired the opening kick and honored their late coach as soon as extra. The Bulldogs lined up in an Air Raid formation and let the play clock wind right down to zero in what was the soccer model of a second of silence. Illinois declined the delay of recreation penalty.
Leach took the job at Mississippi State after former coach Dan Mullen left for Florida. Leach was 19-17 in three seasons main the Bulldogs, which included a 24-22 win over rival Ole Miss within the Egg Bowl in his remaining recreation. He was 158-107 general with stints at Texas Tech (2000-09) and Washington State (2012-19).
He was broadly often known as the architect of the Air Raid offense, which unfold receivers out and used the brief passing recreation as a complement to the operating recreation. He developed the offense alongside Hal Mumme when the 2 labored collectively at Kentucky (1997-98). Leach was a three-time nationwide coach of the 12 months and three-time Energy 5 convention coach of the 12 months. He received a pair of Energy 5 division titles and led his groups to 19 bowl video games throughout his 21-year head teaching profession.