CLINTON, Miss. (WLOX) – After reviewing and preparing for the college’s 2026 bicentennial, the Mississippi College Board of Trustees approved a name change for Mississippi College.

Starting in 2026, the college will be known as Mississippi Christian University. The decision underscores MC’s status as a comprehensive university and allows the college to retain its logo and identity.

Officials with the college say the name change is a strategic decision that reiterates leadership’s commitment to fulfilling the private university’s vision statement – to be known as a university recognized for academic excellence and commitment to the cause of Christ.

Along with the decision to approve the name change, the college also announced the discontinuation of the football program, which will allow the school to “further its commitment to excellence in Division II play across its remaining 17 sports and pursue needed facility upgrades”.

“Discontinuing our football program is a difficult decision. We acknowledge the program’s legacy and the deep connection to the many student-athletes, alumni, and supporters of the football program. I want to emphasize that we will always consider them as part of our MC Family,” Athletic Director Kenny Bizot said.

“We will support our current student-athletes as they seek to continue their education at MC as well as those who wish to transfer,” Bizot added.

The changes were based on recommendations from a task force of university trustees, which were developed in consultation with university leadership and approved by the Board of Trustees.

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THE BOTTOM LINE: Mississippi State is off to a perfect 4-0 start this season courtesy of a determined second-half surge that carried MSU past Utah 78-73 at the Landers Center in Southaven on Sunday. The Bulldogs trailed 39-28 after the first 20 minutes of play but used a 22-5 run out of halftime to gain a six-point edge before fending off the Utes down the stretch. Utah tied the game at 71-all with only 1:40 remaining, however State locked down defensively and scored seven of the game’s final nine points to secure victory.

KEY NUMBERS: Individually, Josh Hubbard scored 20 of his team-high 23 points in the second half to lead State’s surge, while KeShawn Murphy did a little of everything for the Bulldogs with 18 points, 14 rebounds, a couple of blocks and an assist. Riley Kugel and Cameron Matthews also reached double figures in scoring for State as each tallied 12 points. Matthews also collected a pair of steals, surpassing the 200-mark for his career. Collectively though, the biggest difference in the game was State’s second-half offensive resurgence. After shooting just 22.9 percent from the field as a team in the opening period, including only making one of 13 shots from three-point range, MSU shot 50 percent as a group the rest of the way and made five of its final 12 tries from deep.

SOCIAL MEDIA SCENES:

.@the_shawnjr5 ☝️#HailState🐶 || 📺: https://t.co/HQ0UaN0plb (ESPN2) pic.twitter.com/3w38DhYEnv

— Mississippi State Men’s Basketball (@HailStateMBK) November 17, 2024

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Hustle play three and the Landers Center comes alive! #HailState🐶 || 📺: https://t.co/HQ0UaMZRvD (ESPN2) pic.twitter.com/jYxj2aDrdv

— Mississippi State Men’s Basketball (@HailStateMBK) November 17, 2024

JOSH HUBBARD X2!

State opens up the second half on a 15-5 run and force the Utes to take a timeout!

𝗗𝗔𝗪𝗚𝗦 » 43
Utes » 44 #HailState🐶 || 📺: https://t.co/HQ0UaMZRvD (ESPN2) pic.twitter.com/xXOJoMewDG

— Mississippi State Men’s Basketball (@HailStateMBK) November 17, 2024

11 Points in the second half so far for @jhubb_3! #HailState🐶 || 📺: https://t.co/HQ0UaMZRvD (ESPN2) pic.twitter.com/3tJdvNG6EC

— Mississippi State Men’s Basketball (@HailStateMBK) November 17, 2024

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FIRE US UP, @MelendezRamses!!

RK TO RJ and the Dawgs lead by 3! #HailState🐶 || 📺: https://t.co/HQ0UaMZRvD (ESPN2) pic.twitter.com/JAZJQ9hjYa

— Mississippi State Men’s Basketball (@HailStateMBK) November 17, 2024

Comeback Complete.

𝐃𝐀𝐖𝐆𝐒 𝐖𝐈𝐍!!#HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/fxqsemRSRh

— Mississippi State Men’s Basketball (@HailStateMBK) November 17, 2024

NEXT UP FOR THE DAWGS: Mississippi State faces a true road test as MSU battles SMU at Moody Coliseum in Dallas, Texas, on Friday, Nov. 22. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m. and the game will be streamed via ACC Network Extra.