Mississippi
Mississippi State Prepares for Arch Manning as True Freshman QB Makes First Start
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Mississippi State football gets the unfortunate distinction of welcoming the Manning family back to SEC when it faces No. 1 Texas on Saturday.
It’s unclear who will start at quarterback for the Longhorns, but with Quinn Ewers being listed as questionable in the latest Student-Athlete Availability Report, Bulldog fans shouldn’t be surprised to see Arch Manning lined up at quarterback Saturday afternoon.
The Bulldogs are dealing with their own quarterback injuries, but their starting quarterback has already been announced.
When Blake Shapen suffered the shoulder injury today that will require season-ending surgery, true freshman QB Michael Van Buren came in.
He was 7/13 for 100 yards. Here’s a look at what he brought to the table this afternoon for #MississippiState: pic.twitter.com/arHWvBL0El — Jon Sokoloff (@JonSokoloff) September 22, 2024
True freshman Michael Van Buren will start for Mississippi State against the top-ranked Longhorns and their defense that ranks fifth nationally in total defense.
It may be the most difficult first-time collegiate start considering how the Bulldogs have performed in the first four games of 2024 (1-3 overall, 0-1 SEC). Van Buren, a 4-star recruit, faces a Goliath that David-himself might not want to face.
But, nevertheless, kickoff is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. Saturday.
Score a touchdown?
That may seem like a low hurdle to clear, but consider what it would mean for Van Buren to score the first touchdown of the season against the Longhorns’ defense?
Colorado State, Michigan, UTSA and Louisiana-Monroe all failed to score a touchdown against Texas. If Van Buren can throw a touchdown pass or run for one, that’ll be a huge indicator of his potential.
Gearin’ Up for a 𝙎𝙃𝙊𝙒𝘿𝙊𝙒𝙉#SHOWTIME | #HailState pic.twitter.com/0bnS8LLo2j
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) September 26, 2024
To be blunt, Van Buren leading a drive that ends with a touchdown of any kind should be considered a success.
Yes, it’s a low hurdle. But maybe it isn’t so low if you consider Texas is nearly a 40-point favorite to win Saturday at DKR-Memorial Stadium.
Will Arch Manning Start Against Mississippi State? Texas QB Situation Remains Unclear
Mississippi State Football Coach Jeff Lebby vs. Texas: A Tale of Two Red River Game
Mississippi State vs. Texas: Updated Gameday Weather Forecast
Texas vs. Mississippi State: Bold Predictions for a Historic Matchup
Mississippi
Mississippi College Baseball Wins Series vs. West Florida for First Time
Mississippi College baseball has won the series against West Florida for the first time ever
The Choctaws have been playing UWF since 2015
MC won the first two games and put on a bit of a comeback in game 3
Next: GSC at Delta St., then Conference Tournament
Mississippi
George County High School senior killed in Highway 26 crash, MHP says
GEORGE COUNTY, Miss. (WLOX) — A George County High School senior is dead after an SUV hit him while bicycling on Highway 26 Friday night.
Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) officials said at 8:15 p.m. the MHP responded to a fatal crash on Highway 26 in George County.
Those officials said a Ford SUV traveling west on Highway 26 collided with 18-year-old Tyree Bradley of McLain, Mississippi, who was bicycling.
Bradley was fatally injured and died at the scene, MHP officials said.
The crash remains under investigation by the MHP.
See a spelling or grammar error in this story? Report it to our team HERE.
Copyright 2026 WLOX. All rights reserved.
Mississippi
Mississippi State Drops Series Opener at Texas A&M Despite Late Chances
Some losses feel like they drag on longer than the box score suggests, and Mississippi State’s 3-1 opener at Texas A&M fits that category.
It wasn’t a blowout. It wasn’t a game where the Bulldogs looked outmatched.
It was just one of those nights where the early mistakes stuck around and the offense never quite found the swing that could shake them loose.
The frustrating part is how quickly the hole formed. Two solo homers and a wild pitch in the first two innings put Mississippi State behind 3-0, and that was basically the ballgame.
Against a top tier SEC team on the road, spotting three runs that early is a tough ask. The Bulldogs didn’t fold, but they also didn’t cash in when the door cracked open.
“I liked our fight. I think we’re really just working through some things offensively, and trying to stay together,” Mississippi State coach Samantha Ricketts said. “This team still believes, and we’re going to battle and fight every chance we get, and I think I saw a lot of that. I’m encouraged for what that means for us moving forward, but, you know, they’re a good hitting team, and we’ve got to be able to shut them down early. I don’t think Peja [Goold] had her best stuff, but she continued to battle out there and find ways to get outs.”
They had chances. Two runners stranded in the fifth. Two more in the sixth. Another in the seventh. Des Rivera finally got the Bulldogs on the board with an RBI single, but the big hit that usually shows up for this lineup never arrived.
It wasn’t a lack of traffic. It was a lack of finish.
If there was a bright spot, it came from the bullpen. Delainey Everett gave Mississippi State exactly what it needed after the rocky start.
“That was just a huge relief appearance by Delaney to keep us in it,” Ricketts said. “It’s really good to have her back and healthy these last few weeks because these are the moments where we really need her and rely on her. We know that she’s going to be a big part of the remainder of the season going forward as well.”
Three hitless innings, one baserunner, and a reminder that she’s quietly putting together a strong stretch.
There were individual positives too. Nadia Barbary keeps climbing the doubles list. Kiarra Sells keeps finding ways on base.
But the bigger picture is simple. Mississippi State is now 6-10 in the SEC, and the margin for error is shrinking. Nights like this one are the difference between climbing back into the race and staying stuck in the middle.
They get another shot this morning with the schedule bumped up for weather. The formula isn’t complicated.
Clean up the early innings, keep getting quality relief, and find one or two timely swings. The Bulldogs didn’t get them Friday. They’ll need them today.
Follow
-
Colorado6 minutes agoOutgoing Colorado Buffaloes Sebastian Rancik, Bangot Dak Make Transfer Portal Moves
-
Connecticut12 minutes agoOne arrested after a multi-car crash in Naugatuck Saturday
-
Delaware18 minutes ago9 Most Scenic Drives in New Jersey
-
Florida24 minutes agoSouth Florida faith leaders call for Miami mental health center to finally open
-
Georgia30 minutes ago
Georgia receiver and draft prospect Zachariah Branch arrested for misdemeanor obstruction
-
Hawaii36 minutes agoKanakaʻole, Zane ʻohana transform Hawaiian cultural practices into captivating visual arts | Maui Now
-
Idaho42 minutes ago‘Unrelenting’: Statehouse reporters recap 2026 legislative session in Idaho Falls – East Idaho News
-
Illinois48 minutes ago
Weather service assessing damage across Iowa, Illinois and Missouri