Through Week 1, the Bulldogs are tops in the FBS in total defense, scoring defense, first down defense and redzone defense.
Gameday: Football Visits Ruston in Battle of Bulldogs Saturday Night
September 08, 2017 | Football
RUSTON, La. – A non-conference road game in Ruston for the first time since 2008 awaits Mississippi State football, which faces Conference USA favorite Louisiana Tech at 6:30 p.m. Saturday in Joe Aillet Stadium. For complete gameday information, visit HailState.com/gameday.
MSU (1-0) opened the 2017 campaign in impressive fashion last weekend, blanking Charleston Southern 49-0 in a historic defensive performance. Through Week 1, the Bulldogs are tops in the FBS in total defense, scoring defense, first down defense and redzone defense.
Louisiana Tech (1-0) dominated its FCS opponent, Northwestern State, 52-24, in Week 1. LA Tech's high-powered offense has led to three straight nine-win seasons in Ruston.
Viewing Information
The game will be televised live on CBS Sports Network with Carter Blackburn (play-by-play), Aaron Taylor (analyst) and Jenny Dell (reporter) calling the action. CBS Sports Network is available on DirecTV (channel 221), DISH Network (channel 158), MetroCast (channel 165). To find the CBS Sports Network in your area, go to https://www.cbssportsnetwork.com/channelfinder/.
Listening Information
The MSU Sports Network C Spire Tailgate Show goes live at 4:30 p.m. Neil Price, Matt Wyatt and Jay Perry will call the game on the network (check for affiliates here). Live audio is also available for FREE at HailState.com and via the TuneIn app. For fans inside Joe Aillet Stadium, the broadcast is available on 95.5 FM.
Tickets
Tickets are still available via LaTechSports.com Ticketmaster.
Cowbells/Dawg Walk
Cowbells will not be permitted in Joe Aillet Stadium. The Dawg Walk will take place at the southeast corner of Joe Aillet Stadium at approximately 4:30 p.m.
Social Media/Live Stats
Live updates from the game are available via MSU's official social media channels: Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (click the links). Fans can also follow behind-the-scenes content via SnapChat by searching for HailStateSnap. Live Stats are available via LaTechSports.com.
Weather
The forecast in Ruston calls for clear skies and temperatures in the mid 70s at kickoff with a NNE wind at 4 mph.
Series History
MSU and Louisiana Tech are meeting for the 13th time with State holding a 9-3 advantage. Dan Mullen is 2-0 against LA Tech, winning in his third year (2011) and in 2015 in Starkville. Four of the last six meetings have been decided by eight points or less. This is just the second meeting between the two teams in Ruston and first since LA Tech won 22-14 in the 2008 season opener.
Quotable
"Can we do better? Can we prepare harder than we did last week? Can we go out and play harder than we did last week? I thought we played with great effort last week, but I want to see even more from our guys against a very good football team we are facing." – head coach Dan Mullen
Mullen Watch
Head coach Dan Mullen is just three wins shy of tying College Football Hall of Famer Allyn McKeen for second in Bulldog all-time victories. Mullen is 62-42 overall and he's 33-7 against non-conference foes in his nine seasons.
Fitzgerald In the Record Books
Nick Fitzgerald became just the third quarterback in school history to rush for 20 touchdowns and throw for 20 touchdowns in a career. Fitzgerald has rushed for at least one TD in four straight games and he is just one rushing score away from moving into a tie for ninth place in MSU career rushing TDs.
MSU (1-0) opened the 2017 campaign in impressive fashion last weekend, blanking Charleston Southern 49-0 in a historic defensive performance. Through Week 1, the Bulldogs are tops in the FBS in total defense, scoring defense, first down defense and redzone defense.
Louisiana Tech (1-0) dominated its FCS opponent, Northwestern State, 52-24, in Week 1. LA Tech's high-powered offense has led to three straight nine-win seasons in Ruston.
Viewing Information
The game will be televised live on CBS Sports Network with Carter Blackburn (play-by-play), Aaron Taylor (analyst) and Jenny Dell (reporter) calling the action. CBS Sports Network is available on DirecTV (channel 221), DISH Network (channel 158), MetroCast (channel 165). To find the CBS Sports Network in your area, go to https://www.cbssportsnetwork.com/channelfinder/.
Listening Information
The MSU Sports Network C Spire Tailgate Show goes live at 4:30 p.m. Neil Price, Matt Wyatt and Jay Perry will call the game on the network (check for affiliates here). Live audio is also available for FREE at HailState.com and via the TuneIn app. For fans inside Joe Aillet Stadium, the broadcast is available on 95.5 FM.
Tickets
Tickets are still available via LaTechSports.com Ticketmaster.
Cowbells/Dawg Walk
Cowbells will not be permitted in Joe Aillet Stadium. The Dawg Walk will take place at the southeast corner of Joe Aillet Stadium at approximately 4:30 p.m.
Social Media/Live Stats
Live updates from the game are available via MSU's official social media channels: Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (click the links). Fans can also follow behind-the-scenes content via SnapChat by searching for HailStateSnap. Live Stats are available via LaTechSports.com.
Weather
The forecast in Ruston calls for clear skies and temperatures in the mid 70s at kickoff with a NNE wind at 4 mph.
Series History
MSU and Louisiana Tech are meeting for the 13th time with State holding a 9-3 advantage. Dan Mullen is 2-0 against LA Tech, winning in his third year (2011) and in 2015 in Starkville. Four of the last six meetings have been decided by eight points or less. This is just the second meeting between the two teams in Ruston and first since LA Tech won 22-14 in the 2008 season opener.
Quotable
"Can we do better? Can we prepare harder than we did last week? Can we go out and play harder than we did last week? I thought we played with great effort last week, but I want to see even more from our guys against a very good football team we are facing." – head coach Dan Mullen
Mullen Watch
Head coach Dan Mullen is just three wins shy of tying College Football Hall of Famer Allyn McKeen for second in Bulldog all-time victories. Mullen is 62-42 overall and he's 33-7 against non-conference foes in his nine seasons.
Fitzgerald In the Record Books
Nick Fitzgerald became just the third quarterback in school history to rush for 20 touchdowns and throw for 20 touchdowns in a career. Fitzgerald has rushed for at least one TD in four straight games and he is just one rushing score away from moving into a tie for ninth place in MSU career rushing TDs.
Players Mentioned
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