State Aims To Take Another Step At Home
October 16, 2024 | Football
Bulldogs excited to return to action in their home stadium.
STARKVILLE – There are few environments in college football quite like Davis Wade Stadium.
Mississippi State returns to its home turf on Saturday against No. 15 Texas A&M after back-to-back road contests against top-five opponents. The Bulldogs held their own and competed for four quarters in Austin and Athens – two of the most daunting atmospheres in the country.
State is growing at the right time with the opportunity to face a top-15 foe at home.
"For us, incredibly excited to be back home and be here at Davis Wade," head coach Jeff Lebby said. "As everybody has seen, we've gone on the road the last two weeks and played in incredible environments. So, we've got a lot to be excited about in front of us and can't wait to see our fanbase being back home."
State battled from start to finish last Saturday at Georgia, highlighted by SEC Freshman of the Week Michael Van Buren Jr. The true freshman signal caller threw for 306 yards and three touchdowns at Sanford Stadium.
Lebby continues to be impressed with his young quarterback while expecting areas of improvement.
"I'm proud of how he answered the bell and answered the challenges that happened inside the game," Lebby said. "He did some great things. He played with toughness. I'm proud of how resilient he was, but again, the message is we have to play better. We have to play cleaner [and] start faster to give ourselves a chance to feel different in the locker room. Nobody understands that now more than Mike does."
The entire Bulldog offense clicked last week. Van Buren spread the wealth through the air as four receivers caught over 50 yards worth of passes.
Kelly Akharaiyi had his best game in Maroon and White, compiling 72 receiving yards with two touchdowns.
"I look forward to him having a really big back half of the season," Lebby said of the transfer pass catcher. "He's a guy we had great expectations for, obviously had the injury [earlier in the year] and is just now getting back to who we thought he was going to be. I am excited about what he will be able to do for us."
Van Buren is just one of many freshmen who is contributing to this football team. It is another sign of a bright future ahead for the Bulldogs.
"It's a daily process, every day committing to getting better," Lebby said of the freshmen. "Then when they have the ability to make the play, making the play. I think those are the things you see out of these guys nonstop, just finding ways to get better. Proud of these young guys and what they're doing."
Not only will the future of the program continue to be on display Saturday, but also the past will be recognized. The 2014 team—the first Bulldog group to reach No. 1 in the polls and the third to win 10 games in a season—will reunite on Scott Field for the first time in a decade.
"We talk a ton about the history of the program," Lebby said. "We talk a ton about the guys that came before us and how we are truly keepers of the jersey. That's important for us. Understanding the guys that came before us sat in these chairs, and they did it in a way that makes Mississippi State incredibly proud."
There is plenty of reason for excitement heading into this Saturday. The signs of growth within the Mississippi State football program are evident, signs that culminate with a massive opportunity at home.
"There's nothing better," Lebby emphasized. "Our atmosphere and our energy are unlike anywhere in America. For us, that will be a huge advantage for us on Saturday afternoon. Our guys want that, need that. There's a bunch of excitement inside our building just for the fact we will be at home in Davis Wade."
