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Overreaction Sunday in full swing for Mississippi State fans after loss to Florida

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Overreaction Sunday in full swing for Mississippi State fans after loss to Florida


The NFL has overreaction Monday where its fans make outlandish, emotional statements about a big change their team needs to make or how the rest of the season will go.

College football has that too, just on Sundays and there’s no shortage of overreactions being made by Mississippi State fans right now.

The Bulldogs’ 23-21 loss to Florida should have been a win and not just because of what happened at the end of the game. There were plenty of opportunities to win and that makes this loss a lot more painful and, in turn, has made some fans on social media and on message boards emotional.

Here’s three of them. How this will work is we’ll make the argument in favor of a statement and then make a judgement on if its an overreaction or not.

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Let’s begin with probably the most controversial reaction.

Shapen was 24-of-36 for 324 yards, no touchdowns, one interception and was sacked four times. He threw the game-ending interception to a defensive tackle who dropped into zone coverage.

There was also the three overthrown passes to wide receivers in the end zone in the first half. He did have two long pass completions to Anthony Evans III (48 yards) and Brenen Thompson (47) against Florida.

But for the most part, the Bulldogs’ offense didn’t do much. Their first touchdown came on the opening drive and then didn’t score again until the fourth quarter.

This decision isn’t limited to just one game, either. Shapen and the Bulldogs offense didn’t play well against Texas A&M and Shapen missed an open receiver in overtime against Tennessee to keep that game going.

With better quarterback play, Mississippi State would be 6-1 right now.

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Verdict: Overreaction.

Mississippi State’s offensive struggles aren’t just because of the quarterback play.

The offensive line has struggled in pass protection and is inconsistent in run blocking. There are fewer penalties being called against the Bulldogs, but illegal formations, false starts and holding calls still plague them.

And while putting the blame for losing to the Gators on Shapen is easy, there are other mistakes that cost the Bulldogs the game.

Kyle Ferrie “missed” a 41-yard field goal (its debatable because the ball passed right over the right upright).

Seydou Traore gets called for holding that negates a 30-yard Davon Booth run in the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs do score a touchdown on the drive to make the score 23-21, but that touchdown could have come quicker and given Mississippi State more time on the final drive.

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Also, there’s no guarantee Kamario Taylor or Luke Kromenhoek play any better. We haven’t seen enough of either to know if they’d play better.

And do you really want to put Taylor, the true freshman quarterback, behind that offensive line for more than just a handful of plays?

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, Mississippi State has already seen what can happen when you put a true freshman quarterback in a starting role behind a shaky offensive line.

In the last two games, the Bulldogs’ defense did enough to put the team in a position to win.

They held Texas A&M to 14 points through three quarters. Against Florida, they got two interceptions and sacked DJ Lagway to force a punt with 1:41 left in the game.

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Florida’s star freshman wide receiver Dallas Wilson was targeted seven times but made just two catches, held Lagway to just a 58 completion percentage and had three TFLs.

Let’s not forget the goal line stand against Arizona State, holding the Sun Devils to a field goal so the offense can win the game on a 58-yard Brenen Thompson touchdown catch.

Verdict: Not an overreaction.

The defense isn’t elite and it’s toeing the line of being a great defense. For now, really good is great for Mississippi State.

Who would’ve believed me a year ago if I said “in a year Coleman Hutzler” is going to look like the best coach for Mississippi State?

It’s astonishing how much improved this defense is after one year. The Bulldogs were 126th nationally in total defense a year ago.

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This year, after seven games, the defense ranks 45th in total defense.

That’s just one stat, but the defense has made similar improvements in most other categories, too.

And, really, just use your eyes and you can see how much better the Bulldogs are.

Jeff Lebby is still winless in the SEC after 11 games and won’t be favored in any more games the rest of the season. So, 0-16 in SEC play in two seasons is possible.

Lebby also came to Starkville as an offensive guru and engineered some of the best offenses of the last five years, but that hasn’t shown up at Mississippi State.

Yes, the big plays are fun, but the offense has been far from great.

And the decision to throw a pass in the fourth quarter against Florida instead of kicking a field goal was a colossal mistake.

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Verdict: Massive overreaction.

This is the biggest overreaction I’ve seen this season.

Three weeks ago everyone was in love with Mississippi State and believed Lebby was doing a great job.

But now everyone is mad and thinks Lebby should be fired?

Seriously, folks, chill. That was a tough loss and it’s OK to be upset, but maybe step away from social media and the message boards?

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Lebby’s not going anywhere, nor should he. He inherited a dumpster fire of a situation, suffered through 2024’s two-win season and has shown big improvements in 2025.

Look at the running backs (when healthy), the wide receivers and the entire defense. Lebby is building a program that everyone thought was on the rise three weeks ago.

And it still is.





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Mississippi

Blake Shapen stats as QB has Mississippi State in position for upset before interception

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Blake Shapen stats as QB has Mississippi State in position for upset before interception


GAINESVILLE, FL — Blake Shapen’s interception sealed Mississippi State football’s 15th consecutive SEC loss.

The quarterback had driven the Bulldogs into field-goal range with a chance to stun Florida at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. They had the ball at the Gators’ 29-yard line with 26 seconds remaining, trailing by two points.

Then, Shapen was intercepted by Florida defensive lineman Michai Boirea, and MSU (4-3, 0-3 SEC) lost 23-21 on Oct. 18.

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Here’s how we graded Shapen against Florida (3-4, 2-2).

Blake Shapen stats for Mississippi State vs Florida

  • Passing attempts: 24-for-36
  • Passing yards: 324
  • Passing touchdowns: 0
  • Interceptions: 1
  • Rushing attempts: 10
  • Rushing yards: 1
  • Rushing touchdowns: 0

Blake Shapen’s best: QB had Mississippi State in position to win

Shapen wasn’t fantastic in the game. The offense didn’t find a rhythm until the fourth quarter. But Shapen still had Mississippi State in a position to win.

The Bulldogs got the ball at their own 26-yard line with 1:38 remaining, trailing 23-21. On the first play of that drive, Shapen scrambled up the middle for an 18-yard gain. He completed four of his next five pass attempts, including a 10-yard pass to running back Davon Booth on third-and-9.

Blake Shapen’s worst: Mississippi State QB threw game-losing interception

Shapen’s performance won’t be remembered for those plays, however. The interception he threw to seal the game will be the memory that lasts.

Boirea was positioned at the line of scrimmage, but the 349-pound lineman dropped into coverage after the snap. He read Shapen perfectly and intercepted the pass over the middle of the field.

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Grade: C

Shapen’s 324 yards were the most he’s thrown for in 11 games at the Mississippi State starter. However, his streak of 21 straight games with a touchdown pass was snapped.

The interception was the costly play. Mississippi State needed him to take care of the football in that situation, and he didn’t.

Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.

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What channel is Florida football vs Mississippi State on today? Time, TV schedule to watch Week 8 game

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What channel is Florida football vs Mississippi State on today? Time, TV schedule to watch Week 8 game


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Florida football will look to continue its success in homecoming games when it hosts Mississippi State at The Swamp.

The Florida Gators (2-4, 1-2 SEC) have gone 30-5 in their last 35 homecoming games and have won all three of its homecoming contests under head coach Billy Napier. That inclues last season, when UF routed Kentucky 48-20 on Oct. 19, 2024 before a sellout crowd in a homecoming night gam.

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“This is a big-picture game in that regard,” Napier said. “So you put that orange and blue on −I still think that exists. I know college football has changed quite a bit, but I do think that we got a lot of guys that came here, it means something for them to pursue the degree here, to be a graduate one day, to come back here and call this place home.”

Florida is 35-19-2 all-time against Mississippi State (4-2, 0-2 SEC), which has lost 14 straight games against SEC opponents. The Gators have won 16 of their last 17 games against the Bulldogs at home. In the last meeting between the schools, Florida beat Mississippi State 45-28 on Sept. 21, 2024 in Starkville, Miss.

STREAM FLORIDA FOOTBALL VS MSU, FREE TRIAL

What channel is Florida football vs. Mississippi State on today?

  • TV Channel: SEC Network
  • Livestream: ESPN+, FUBO

Florida football vs. Mississippi State will broadcast nationally on the SEC Network in Week 8 of the 2025 college football season. Dave Neal and Fozzy Whitaker will call the game from the booth at The Swamp, with Morgan Uber as the sideline reporter. Streaming options for the game include ESPN+ and FUBO, which offers a free trial for new subscribers.

Florida football vs Mississippi State time today

  • Date: Saturday, Oct. 18
  • Start time: 4:15 p.m.

The Florida football vs. Mississippi State game starts at 4:15 p.m. ET from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Steve Spurrier-Florida Field (cap. 88,548) in Gainesville, Fla.

STREAM FLORIDA FOOTBALL VS MSU, FREE TRIAL

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Florida football vs Mississippi State predictions, picks, odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Oct 16

  • Florida 38, Mississippi State 24: Florida will take advantage of Mississippi State’s porous run defense. Sophomore running back Jadan Baugh will rush for 3 TDs and sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway will pass for two more TDs as the Gators will hold off a late MSU charge to earn feel-good homecoming win at The Swamp.
  • Spread: Florida -9.5
  • Over/under: 50.5
  • Moneyline: Florida -350 MSU +280

Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@gannett.com. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1. Read his coverage of the Gators’ national championship basketball season in “CHOMP-IONS!” — a hardcover coffee-table collector’s book from The Sun. Details at Florida.ChampsBook.com



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High school absences in Mississippi cause chronic absenteeism rate to climb

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High school absences in Mississippi cause chronic absenteeism rate to climb


JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) released the 2024-25 Chronic Absenteeism Report.

According to the agency, Mississippi’s chronic absenteeism rate rose to 27.6%, representing 120,408 students who missed important instructional time in the last school year. They said this reflects an increase from the 2023-24 rate of 24.4%.

Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of the school year (equivalent to 18 days) for any reason, which includes excused and unexcused absences and suspensions. The 2024-25 report shows approximately one-third of all absences were excused. 

“When students are not in school, they are missing valuable instruction from their teachers and social interaction with their peers,” said Dr. Lance Evans, state superintendent of education. “Missing 18 or more days of school has serious consequences for academic achievement and long-term success. We need families, educators and community partners to join forces to combat chronic absenteeism.”

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According to the report, chronic absenteeism rates declined in elementary and middle school from 2023-24 to 2024-25 but increased from 30% to 39% in high school. This suggests excessive absences among high school students have driven the statewide rise in chronic absenteeism.

MDE’s efforts to help districts and schools address absenteeism include:

  • School attendance officers working statewide to help families eliminate barriers to school attendance 
  • MDE’s attendance awareness campaign, Every School Day Counts – Attend to Achieve, that highlights the benefits of regular school attendance and provides an Attendance Awareness Toolkit with resources and materials to promote attendance  
  • Partnership with the National Dropout Prevention Center to provide professional development for district and school teams 
  • September 2025 Statewide Chronic Absenteeism and Dropout Prevention Conference focused on innovative strategies to boost student engagement and best practices to effectively address chronic absenteeism



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