Gameday: State Set For SEC Opener

by Brandon Langlois, Associate Director/Communications

STARKVILLE - Mississippi State will open the SEC portion of its 2019 schedule when the Bulldogs host Kentucky at 3 p.m. CT Saturday in Davis Wade Stadium. The Wildcats are the Bulldogs' permanent SEC East opponent.

Viewing Information
The game will be televised live on SEC Network with Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play), Matt Stinchcomb (analyst) and Alyssa Lang (reporter) calling the action. Live streaming video is available via the Watch ESPN app and WatchESPN.com.

Listening Information
The MSU Sports Network C Spire Tailgate Show goes live at 1 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 in Starkville, they can tune to 100.9 FM.

Storylines
State enters the game with a 2-1 mark following last week's 31-24 loss to Power 5 non-conference opponent Kansas State. Kentucky, which defeated MSU 28-7 last year in Lexington, is 2-1 overall and 0-1 in SEC action. The Wildcats blew a 21-10 fourth quarter lead to Florida last week, and the Gators rallied to a 29-21 victory.

MSU has won eight of the last 10 over Kentucky. The all-time series is tied 23-23. State is 13-6 all-time in Starkville against Kentucky. The Bulldogs have won four in a row in Starkville, including the last meeting there in 2017, 45-7. The last loss in Starkville was, 14-13, in 2008.

State has won two of its last three SEC openers, beating South Carolina, 27-14, in 2016, defeating No. 11 LSU, 37-7, in 2017, and falling to Kentucky, 28-7, last year.

The Bulldogs have won three straight games against SEC opponents at Davis Wade Stadium. After its 13-6 loss to Florida on Sept. 29, 2018, MSU rolled past No. 8 Auburn, 23-9, on Oct. 6, took down No. 16 Texas A&M, 28-13, on Oct. 27, and then dominated Arkansas, 52-6, on Nov. 17. State has outscored its opponents 103-28 during that streak.

RB Kylin Hill is arguably the most dominant rusher in the nation so far this season. Through three games, Hill leads the SEC, is third in the FBS, and second in the Power 5 in rushing yardage (431) and is averaging 143.7 yards rushing per game. Hill, a Doak Walker Award and Maxwell Award candidate, leads the nation in 10+ yard runs (15).

WR Osirus Mitchell is the Bulldogs' top pass catcher with 13 receptions for 208 yards and three touchdowns. Each of his three touchdowns have been for 28+ yards. His three touchdown catches are tied for fifth in the SEC. Mitchell ranks in the top six in the SEC in catches for a first down (10 – 6th), catches for 15+ yards (7 – 4th) and catches for 25+ yards (3 – 3rd).

MSU is one of only five Power 5 teams and just two in the SEC to rush for 200+ yards in every game this season. Under head coach Joe Moorhead, State has topped the 200-yard rushing mark 11 times out of 16 games. State's 11 games with 200+ rushing yards since 2018 are the second most in the SEC and tied for third most in the Power 5 during that stretch.

DC Bob Shoop's defense has recorded a takeaway in 19 straight games, which is the second longest active streak in the nation. The streak began at Arkansas on Nov. 18, 2017. State has totaled 37 takeaways during the streak.

MSU is the only team in the SEC with three players who have recorded 20+ tackles this year. S Jaquarius Landrews leads the team and is tied for fourth in the SEC (24), while LB Erroll Thompson and LB Leo Lewis are tied for sixth in the league (23).

S Brian Cole II leads the nation in tackles for loss among defensive back (5.5) and leads all players in the SEC. Cole also has a team-high 2.0 sacks, which is the most in the SEC among defensive backs. He has recorded at least 1.0 tackle for loss in every game this season and has a sack in each of the last two weeks.

Tickets
The Davis Wade Stadium ticket office opens at 12 p.m. and all gates will open at 12:45 p.m. Tickets are also available for purchase on HailState.com. The "Dawg Walk" will take place at 12:45 p.m. in the Junction.

What To Wear
Maroon or White

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). Live stats are available via Stat Broadcast at MSU.StatBroadcast.com.

Heat Advisory
With temperatures expected in the mid-90s again, MSU Athletics has a number of measures in place to help ensure the safety and well-being of fans attending Saturday's game in Davis Wade Stadium. To avoid delays with security screening prior to entering the stadium, fans are strongly encouraged to arrive at gates in advance of 45 minutes prior to kickoff.

One clear, colorless, full or empty water bottle per person is permitted into the stadium for all games. Non-clear, color-tinted, stainless steel or non-clear plastic bottles or containers or any other non-clear container is NOT permitted.
Additional free water bottle refill stations with expanded capacity are located near sections 4, 12, 21, 104, 308 and 336. See the Davis Wade Stadium map (PDF) for locations.
As part of MSU's dramatically reduced concession prices introduced in 2018, a 20-ounce bottled water will cost $2 and a liter will be available for $4. Cash-only kiosks will be set up on the concourse at Sections 8 and 19, as well as Section 305 and the East Side Sky Deck.
Air conditioned buses and rest stations will be set up outside Gate B and Gate L.
Stadium first aid stations will be staffed with additional trained EMS personnel.
Fans may report safety or guest service concerns by texting the keyword "MSTATE", followed by their message and location to 69050. They also may tweet to @HailStateFamily any guest service concerns.

Fans are encouraged to follow these safety measures before arriving at the stadium:

Hydrate early, before and during the game to avoid heat exhaustion.
Apply sunscreen of at least 30 SPF (recommended) and repeat the application periodically.
Avoid excess caffeine and alcohol, which could result in dehydration.

Metal Detector Entry Procedures, Arrive Early
Launched in 2018 at MSU and mandatory throughout SEC football stadiums by the fall of 2020, fans are reminded of metal detector entry procedures into Davis Wade Stadium. Gates to Davis Wade Stadium open at 8:45 a.m. Saturday. Fans are strongly encouraged to arrive at Davis Wade Stadium gates in advance of 45 minutes prior to kickoff to ensure a smooth entry. Fans arriving at gates 30 minutes prior to kickoff should expect delays. For complete metal detector entry procedures, visit HailState.com/metaldetector.

Clear Bag Policy
Fans are encouraged not to bring any types of bags inside SEC stadiums during football games; however, the following outlines bags that are permitted:

Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12";
One-gallon clear plastic freezer bags (Ziploc bag or similar); and
Small clutch bags, with or without a handle or strap, that do not exceed 4.5" x 6.5" (approximately the size of a hand).
An exception will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at Gates F and I.
An approved logo no larger than 4.5" x 3.4" may be displayed on one side of a permissible clear bag.

For the complete clear bag policy, including an FAQ, visit HailState.com/clearbag.

Gameday Questions?
For complete gameday information including, parking maps, road closures, traffic, and other important game day schedule and fan and visitor guides, visit HailState.com/gameday. Fans with game day questions, can tweet @HailStateFamily, the new official fan service and game day information hub of Mississippi State Athletics.

Parking
For MSU Football Gameday Parking locations/lots, please see this map. (PDF)

Advanced Purchase Parking
Advance purchase game day parking spaces in all public parking lots go on sale at HailState.com/tickets beginning at 8 a.m. Thursday and continuing until 11 p.m. Friday. View the parking map here (PDF). MSU will comply with MDOT regulations in regards to parking on ramps.

Parking Guidelines/ADA
To encourage fans to "park & ride" MSU Transit Buses and best utilize all available public game day parking spaces, MSU has reduced all public parking prices at the Research Park, ADA North, ADA South and Vet School to $10 per vehicle. (vehicle and trailer is $20). Cash and Credit / Debit Cards are accepted at the Research Park, ADA North, ADA South, and Vet School.

All public parking lots located in the interior of campus have increased in price to $30 per vehicle, (vehicle and trailer is $60). Credit / Debit Cards Only - NO CASH will be accepted at interior campus public parking lots. These lots include Bully Grass, Barr Paved, Pace Seed Grass, Sorority Grass, Sponsored Parking behind the Health Center and Roberts Building, The University Bridge Lot, and Zacharias Village Lot.

You can advance purchase game day parking space in all public parking lots each game week by visiting www.hailstate.com/tickets. Advance sales end at 11 p.m. the day before the game.

No tents, tables or chairs are permitted in parking spaces or on sidewalks.
Parking on grass is permitted only in designated areas. (Available to general public)
No parking is allowed on parking lot islands, medians, berms, or the shoulders of streets and roads.
Parked vehicles must not obstruct traffic or pedestrian access to sidewalks.
Parking spaces cannot be saved.
Tailgating is permitted only in areas where traffic or parking is not obstructed and tailgaters must follow all picnic zone regulations.
Parking areas must be cleared by 7 a.m. the day following the game.
Reserved lot passes must be displayed at all times; misuse will result in loss of parking privileges.
All buses must enter campus at the intersection of Hwy. 182 and George Perry St., turn east (left) on Bailey Howell Drive to Lee Blvd., and turn west (right) on Lee Blvd. to bus parking. Bus parking is available in front of Hilbun and Harned Halls (see map). Buses must exit campus via George Perry St. by turning north onto George Perry St. from Lee Blvd.

REMINDER: Center campus roads close four (4) hours before kickoff (please see this map for road closure information (PDF)).
ADA Parking: Public Gameday & Reserved

Please see this map for ADA parking lots. (PDF) On the map legend, ADA parking is blue. ADA season pass parking is light blue and is marked as Lots A, B, C, D, and F.

ADA public parking is now located in two parking lots. North ADA parking is located at the Research Park, off of Hwy 182. South ADA parking is located at the Animal and Dairy Science Building, off of Hailstate Blvd.

ADA Lot D parking passes are available for online purchase during the week of each home game. You may purchase online an individual game parking pass for "Public ADA Lot D" by visiting Hailstate.com/tickets. Public ADA Lot D Parking pass sales close on Friday at 11 p.m. before the game. After purchasing online an individual game parking pass for "ADA Lot D", you simply print your parking pass at home and bring the parking pass to the game to be scanned to enter the parking lot for that day's game, you must also show your ADA hang tag or ADA license plate to access ADA Lot D. Failure to provide authentic ADA documentation for your vehicle will result in you being denied entry to ADA Lot D. If you choose this option, you will need to purchase your parking pass each week prior to that home game. There will be no "ADA Lot D" parking passes sold the day of the game or at the entrance to the parking lot.

ADA Transit Services begin 4 hrs. prior to kickoff, and service North ADA Parking Lot passengers to and from the Old Main Academic Building bus terminal, and service South ADA Parking Lot passengers to and from Newell-Grissom Building terminal. All Transit Buses operate for 2 hrs. after the end of the game.

Disability Carts will be available to provide access from ADA Transit Terminals at Old Main and Newell Grissom to designated DWS locations.

Old Main Academic Disability Carts will operate between the SE corner of DWS-Gate L and OMAC. (Click here for map) (PDF)
Newell Grissom Disability Carts will operate between the NW corner of DWS-Gate F and NG. (Click here for map) (PDF)

Smoke Free Campus
Davis Wade Stadium is a clear air facility. Smoking in any form is prohibited on campus. For more details, visit smokefree.msstate.edu.

For more information on the Bulldogs, follow MSU football on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateFB."

Mississippi State University Athletics

Gameday: State Set For SEC Opener

Players Mentioned

Brian Cole II

Kylin Hill

Jaquarius Landrews

Leo Lewis

Osirus Mitchell

Erroll Thompson

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