Mississippi
Why Mississippi State football faces a test of culture as much as talent ahead of Florida game
STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State football rebuild wasn’t always going to be seamless.
Expectations for coach Jeff Lebby’s first season were modest. Bumps were to be expected. Perhaps there’d be a game MSU let slip away, a bowl-less first season or an obvious in-game coaching blunder.
Remember, this isn’t just Lebby’s first time as the Bulldogs’ coach. It’s the 40-year-old’s first head coaching job at any level.
But Saturday’s 41-17 loss to Toledo (3-0) at Davis Wade Stadium isn’t an ordinary loss for Mississippi State (1-2). It’s an epic one. It’s MSU’s worst home nonconference loss by scoring margin since it was beaten 42-14 by West Virginia in 2006. West Virginia was ranked No. 4 in the country at the time. Toledo is Toledo.
Recovering from the loss will start with letting what happened Saturday turn from the edge of a slippery slope to a rallying point.
“We’re going to fight like heck to fix every single bit of it,” Lebby said after the game. “That’s my job. That’s what we’re supposed to do. I think our guys will be ready to get back in the building and go to work. Everybody is incredibly frustrated right now. I’m incredibly disappointed that we played and coached the way we did tonight in front of our home crowd with our students showing up the way they did.
“But we do. We got to get it fixed. Regardless, we’re going to kick off at 11 a.m. next Saturday morning right here at home.”
Why Jeff Lebby left Blake Shapen and other starters in the game
There weren’t many positives to draw from the loss. Asked directly about it, Lebby said he took notice of MSU’s effort particularly on extra point and field goal attempts.
“When I look at a football team that’s in the situation we were just in, the thing I always want to watch is what’s happening on PAT/field goals,” he said. “On the defensive side of the ball, are we rushing? Are we trying like heck to go block a dang kick at the end of the game? Are we doing the things that we need to do from an effort standpoint that has to show up just to give us a chance? Those things were happening.”
Lebby never pulled the starters, including quarterback Blake Shapen, when the game was already well decided in the fourth quarter.
Both of Mississippi State’s touchdowns came in the second half after it had fallen behind by 32 points.
“The thought was we were going to fight our butt off until the last second,” Lebby said. “I think that’s incredibly important as we’re sitting here three games into the tenure. Our guys understand regardless of the score, we can’t play to a scoreboard. We have to find a way to go play and go execute for as long as it takes.”
MORE: Unpacking Mississippi State football, Jeff Lebby’s biggest problems after Toledo loss
The talent is the talent at this point, so only so much can be improved midseason. The offensive line won’t magically go from the dominated to the dominant, nor will the defense that’s forced only five punts and one sack in the past two games.
Being competitive Saturday (11 a.m., ESPN) at Davis Wade Stadium against the vulnerable Florida Gators (1-2) will be just as much a testament to MSU’s buy-in as much as its talent.
“There’s a lot of lessons to be learned in these last couple of weeks,” Shapen said. “Just being able to move forward, and obviously we’re starting SEC play, so we got to scratch everything that’s happened before.”
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Right now, a few stubborn summer flowers are still hanging on, but fall has officially taken over.
Across Mississippi, leaves are turning, and the colors will only get brighter over the next few weeks, usually peaking around Thanksgiving.
Our fall color doesn’t cover mountainsides like in New England. It’s more personal here. You might spot it in a neighbor’s yard, along a riverbank, or in your rearview mirror.
This is “just right” weather; warm days, cool nights. Perfect for a front porch coffee, a drive with the top down, or a walk under golden trees.
So, keep your camera handy. The color won’t last long, but for now, Mississippi is showing off.
Odds of winning the Powerball and Mega Millions are NOT in your favor
Odds of hitting the jackpot in Mega Millions or Powerball are around 1-in-292 million. Here are things that you’re more likely to land than big bucks.
The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Nov. 5, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from Nov. 5 drawing
19-20-27-29-31
Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from Nov. 5 drawing
Midday: 9-7-7, FB: 4
Evening: 7-6-0, FB: 3
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from Nov. 5 drawing
Midday: 9-5-3-6, FB: 4
Evening: 3-2-8-1, FB: 3
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from Nov. 5 drawing
Midday: 06
Evening: 04
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.
Mississippi
Mississippi Democrats Break Republican Senate Supermajority, Flipping 3 Legislative Seats
After 13 years, Mississippi Democrats have broken the Republican Party’s supermajority in the Mississippi Senate. Voters elected Democrats to two seats previously held by Republicans, reducing the number of Republican senators in the upper chamber from 36 to 34—one fewer than necessary to constitute a supermajority.
“Mississippi just broke the supermajority—and the people have taken back their power,” the Mississippi Democratic Party wrote in social media posts Tuesday night. “From the Delta to the Pine Belt, voters stood up for fair leadership and community progress: Better schools. Fairer representation. Expanded healthcare. Good-paying jobs.”
When a party has supermajority status in the Mississippi Senate, it can more easily override a governor’s veto, propose constitutional amendments and execute certain procedural actions.
In the Mississippi Pine Belt region, Democrat Johnny DuPree won Senate District 45, previously held by Republican Sen. Chris Johnson of Hattiesburg. In North Mississippi, Democrat Theresa Gillespie Isom won the Senate District 2 seat held by Republican Sen. David Parker of Olive Branch, who decided not to run for reelection.
Republicans had held a supermajority in the Senate since sweeping the state government in 2011.
In the House, Democrat Justin Crosby also flipped House District 22, defeating incumbent Republican House Rep. Jon Lancaster. That district includes parts of Chickasaw, Clay and Monroe counties.
The victories followed Tuesday’s special legislative elections. Six Senate seats were up for a special election on Tuesday, along with one House seat, because a federal court ordered the State to create more Black-majority legislative districts earlier this year. Two other Senate districts were up for special elections to fill vacated seats, along with a House seat.
Democrats will likely hold 18 Senate seats when the Legislature returns to session in January 2026.
Related
MSPCA says more families in need of pet food during shutdown
Denver defense delivers as Broncos edge Raiders to keep NFL’s best record
Superintendent finalist addresses SPS budget shortfall
Ohio man arrested in connection with Chula Vista double slaying
Milwaukee family seeks answers after woman killed, son found alone
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Battle for the House: GOP gets boost in bid to flip swing district after Democrat bows out
EU risks ‘losing credibility’ if it fails to enlarge, Montenegro’s deputy PM warns
Trump urges GOP to end shutdown. And, SCOTUS skeptical of reasoning behind tariffs
Read the Judge’s Order
UFC legend endorses pro-law enforcement pick for California governor: ‘We need his strength’
-
Milwaukee, WI1 week agoLongtime anchor Shannon Sims is leaving Milwaukee’s WTMJ-TV (Channel 4)
-
News1 week agoWith food stamps set to dry up Nov. 1, SNAP recipients say they fear what’s next
-
Culture1 week agoVideo: Dissecting Three Stephen King Adaptations
-
Seattle, WA1 week agoFOX 13’s Aaron Levine wins back-to-back Jeopardy! episodes
-
Seattle, WA5 days agoESPN scoop adds another intriguing name to Seahawks chatter before NFL trade deadline
-
Austin, TX20 hours agoHalf-naked woman was allegedly tortured and chained in Texas backyard for months by five ‘friends’ who didn’t ‘like her anymore’
-
Education1 week agoOpinion | New York City Mayoral Candidates: Who Would Be Best?
-
San Diego, CA1 week agoAdd Nick Hundley, Ruben Niebla to list of Padres’ managerial finalists