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STARKVILLE – Bye weeks in football are meant to refresh and rejuvenate. That is especially true for Mississippi State.

With the first part of the season behind them, head coach Jeff Lebby and his football team are looking forward to getting back on the field with a fresh perspective.

"I thought it was important for our guys to get away a little bit—reset, refocus, regroup and get ready for this back half of the season," Lebby said. "As we got in the building [Monday] morning, our guys had great energy, and they've had good energy with really good intent."

The Bulldogs return to action just like they left it, with a road contest against a top-five team. State showed signs of growth two weeks ago at Texas, and Lebby looks to build upon it at Georgia this Saturday.

"We're going to have to do a great job of taking care of the football and taking advantage of some opportunities," Lebby said. "If we can move the football, we have to score touchdowns and not kick field goals."

A key component of the Bulldogs' performance in Austin was the first career start for true freshman quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. He faces another hostile environment this weekend, and Lebby understands the importance of Van Buren's showing two weeks ago.

"It is a huge opportunity for him…to have this great amount of growth after getting his first start," Lebby said. "There's so many things to be able to build on but proud of who he was in the moment."

As State goes head-to-head with another one of the SEC's premier programs, the team's goal remains to focus on themselves. That sentiment was stressed in the bye week, and they look to reflect it on the field.

"I think for us, it's still about what we do with our time," Lebby said. "How we practice, how we meet, how we walkthrough – to me that's what it's all about. We've got an incredible challenge on Saturday, but our guys are excited about it."

Mississippi State University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Michael Van Buren Jr.

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