Mississippi State to honor deceased OL Sam Westmoreland with number painted on field

Mississippi State on Saturday will host Auburn, the Bulldogs’ first recreation since popping out of the bye week.

It’s additionally the Bulldogs’ 1st recreation at Davis Wade Stadium for the reason that demise of freshman offensive lineman Sam Westmoreland. Westmoreland was discovered lifeless in a Starkville church on Oct. 19. Since then, the group has performed at Kentucky and Alabama and have worn helmet decals along with his initials and jersey quantity, 78.

“Sam was a beloved son, brother and teammate, and an incredible younger man with a limitless future. He’ll all the time be remembered and deeply missed by everybody who knew and cherished him,” head coach Mike Leach mentioned in a press release shortly after the information of Westmoreland’s demise was introduced.

Westmoreland’s remembrance will now prolong to the Scott Discipline enjoying floor. As you’ll be able to see beneath, the grounds crew has painted an “SW 78” emblem forward of the Bulldogs’ contest towards the Tigers at 7:30 p.m. ET:

The Bulldogs enter the sport at 5-3, 2-3 within the SEC. They’ve misplaced their final 2 video games.