Mississippi

Why Luke Kromenhoek’s availability solves bowl game concern for Mississippi State

Published

2 months ago

December 28, 2025

Why Luke Kromenhoek’s availability solves bowl game concern for Mississippi State

The powers-that-be have put college football coaches and players in very awkward spots with the transfer portal.

For roughly 68-70 FBS teams, there’s a stretch of time between its regular season finale and bowl game where important decisions have to be made.

Coaches have to be fired and hired. Coaching staffs have to be adjusted or changed entirely. Players have to make decisions about staying or going, whether via the portal or NFL Draft.

It leads to awkward moments with players announcing plans to enter the transfer portal and opting out of their team’s bowl game. There are good arguments to be made for all sides, too.

For example, fans may hate it, but if a player knows they’re entering the transfer portal then it’s a smart business decision to not play in a bowl game. (Playoff games are different.)

But not all players planning to enter the transfer portal are opting out of their team’s bowl game. Just like not all coaches are keeping transferring players at home for bowl games.

In those instances, it’s a good display of coaches and players having good relationships.

That brings us to today’s news that Mississippi State quarterback Luke Kromenhoek is going to be with the Bulldogs for their Duke’s Mayo Bowl game against Wake Forest on Friday.

“He is with us and will be available,” Mississippi State coach Jeff Lebby announced Sunday morning. “So, appreciative of him staying with us, going through this, being a great teammate, and excited for what he’s going to be able to go do next.”

Kromenhoek has already announced his intention to enter the transfer portal after one season in Starkville. He played in two games (earning a redshirt) and threw only four passes, but his availability is important.

Blake Shapen started 11 of 12 games for Mississippi State this season before true freshman Kamario Taylor was handed the starting job in the Egg Bowl. Shapen is no longer with the team, as Lebby confirmed earlier this month.

That left some question as to who the No. 2 quarterback in the bowl game would be. With Kromenhoek planning to enter the transfer portal, the only other quarterbacks were Taylor and fellow true freshman Parker Puckett.

Taking just Taylor and Puckett to Charlotte would be a big gamble that Taylor doesn’t miss any plays. But Kromenhoek will be available, easing those concerns.

More than 20 Mississippi State players have announced their intentions to enter the transfer portal when it opens January 2. But Kromenhoek is the only one that’ll be available for the bowl game.

“The situation is exactly what it is, and I totally understand where (Kromenhoek’s) coming from, and that’s college football these days,” Lebby said. “Luke’s got a chance to be a great player, really talented and really intelligent.

“I think for us, that’s really the only one that has said he’s going to go in that is going to be with us.”

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Mississippi

NWS confirms 2 tornadoes touched down in Mississippi over weekend

Published

7 hours ago

February 17, 2026

Press Room

NWS confirms 2 tornadoes touched down in Mississippi over weekend

JACKSON, Miss. (WAFB) – Two confirmed tornadoes touched down in Mississippi over the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

The tornadoes developed during strong storms on the evening of Saturday, February 14, into the early morning hours of Sunday, February 15.

Officials with the National Weather Service said an EF-1 tornado impacted the south side of Centreville in Wilkinson County. The tornado had a path of about seven miles long and had peak winds of 90 miles per hour.

A second EF-1 tornado was confirmed near Peoria in Amite County, Mississippi. According to the National Weather Service, the tornado stayed on the ground for about two miles and had peak winds of 90 miles per hour.

Following the strong weekend storms, thousands of power outages, downed trees, and some structural damage were reported across parts of Louisiana and Mississippi.

Power outages, damage reported following overnight storms

Officials and residents living in Wilkinson County, Amite County, Ascension Parish, East Feliciana Parish, and Tangipahoa Parish said they had at least some minor damage.

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Mississippi State, Southern Miss, and Ole Miss win their opening day series

Published

19 hours ago

February 16, 2026

Press Room

Mississippi State, Southern Miss, and Ole Miss win their opening day series

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – No. 4 Mississippi State, No. 20 Southern Miss, and Ole Miss all won their respective opening weekend series to begin their baseball seasons.

The Bulldogs avoided a major upset against the visitors, Hofstra, on Opening Day, edging past them 6-5 despite recording just three hits.

State cruised past Hofstra in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday, 6-1, before beating the Pride 7-5 later that day to secure the sweep.

Mississippi State set a new school record for opening day attendance with 12,824 packing out Dudy Noble Field in head coach Brian O’Connor’s first game at the helm of the program.

2025 Ferris Trophy nominee Ace Reece finished the weekend with 5 hits, including 1 home run and 4 RBI, in 12 at-bats over the weekend.

Ridgeland native Bryce Chance recorded 3 hits and 2 RBI.

No. 20 Southern Miss hosted UC Santa Barbara in one of the most anticipated opening weekend series in the country.

The Golden Eagles dropped the opening day game 5-1 on Friday in pitcher Colby Allen’s first Friday night start of his career.

USM rebounded on Saturday with a comeback victory over the Gouchos 8-6, after trailing the contest 6-2 at one point. Center fielder Joey Urban belted a two-run home run in the eighth inning to give Southern Miss the late lead and victory.

Then on Sunday, first baseman Matthew Russo drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the ninth to lead Southern Miss to a 6-5 walk-off series-clinching victory.

Sumrall native Kros Sivley recorded 7 strikeouts out of the bullpen on Friday to lead the USM pitchers over the weekend. Urban and Dray Barrett recorded 5 hits and a home run.

Southern Miss saw its largest opening weekend attendance in program history, with 16,518 fans at the games.

Ole Miss enjoyed a series sweep as well over the weekend at Swazye Field in a lopsided affair against Nevada.

Rebels Friday night pitcher Hunter Elliot, a Tupelo native, recorded seven strikeouts and allowed just one earned run on three hits in an 11-3 opening day win.

Ole Miss beat Nevada 5-1 on Saturday, with the Rebel bats hitting three home runs. The Ole Miss offense recorded 11 hits in the first two games of the season.

The Rebels stayed hot in the batters box and on the mound on Sunday to clinch the series sweep.

Ole Miss beat Nevada 13-2 with the game ending in the seventh inning.

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Mississippi

Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for Feb. 15, 2026

Published

1 day ago

February 16, 2026

Press Room

Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for Feb. 15, 2026

The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Feb. 15, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from Feb. 15 drawing

05-13-16-22-35

Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 3 numbers from Feb. 15 drawing

Midday: 7-5-5, FB: 0

Evening: 4-3-3, FB: 1

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from Feb. 15 drawing

Midday: 9-9-2-5, FB: 0

Evening: 4-6-9-3, FB: 1

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Feb. 15 drawing

Midday: 02

Evening: 07

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Story continues below gallery.

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Winnings of $599 or less can be claimed at any authorized Mississippi Lottery retailer.

Prizes between $600 and $99,999, may be claimed at the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters or by mail. Mississippi Lottery Winner Claim form, proper identification (ID) and the original ticket must be provided for all claims of $600 or more. If mailing, send required documentation to:

Mississippi Lottery Corporation

P.O. Box 321462

Flowood, MS

39232

If your prize is $100,000 or more, the claim must be made in person at the Mississippi Lottery headquarters. Please bring identification, such as a government-issued photo ID and a Social Security card to verify your identity. Winners of large prizes may also have the option of setting up electronic funds transfer (EFT) for direct deposits into a bank account.

Mississippi Lottery Headquarters

1080 River Oaks Drive, Bldg. B-100

Flowood, MS

39232

Mississippi Lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date. For detailed instructions and necessary forms, please visit the Mississippi Lottery claim page.

When are the Mississippi Lottery drawings held?

Cash 3: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
Cash 4: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
Match 5: Daily at 9:30 p.m. CT.
Cash Pop: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Mississippi editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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