Maroon Friday Update: Oct. 3
October 03, 2025 | Athletics
Happy Maroon Friday!
It is a great day to be a Mississippi State Bulldog!
Great win last night for Coach Nick Zimmerman and our soccer team. They kept the Magnolia Cup right here in Starkville where it belongs with a 2-0 victory over the school up north. The team's next home game is Thursday, October 16, at 6 p.m. See y'all there to support our Bulldogs!
Tonight, our volleyball program takes on Alabama at Newell-Grissom at 6 p.m. here in Starkville, then faces No. 2 Texas on Sunday at 2 p.m. Come out and support our team to give them that competitive edge.
Speaking of a competitive edge - thank you to everyone who has brought the energy and excitement to Davis Wade Stadium so far this football season. We will continue to work and prepare for big moments. Although we recognize and are grateful to all who have invested time, resources, and financial support to help get us to a much-improved position, we are not satisfied and will not rest on our laurels. We know the standards and expectations. The work continues. The drive continues. The push to achieve new heights persists. We have another opportunity in front of us tomorrow and I am looking forward to seeing our guys respond.
As Coach Lebby and I shared weeks ago, filling the stadium with Maroon and White helps make Davis Wade Stadium one of the best atmospheres in college football. We asked Bulldogs to commit to three things, and they remain true:
When Bulldogs don't purchase tickets, it can allow opposing fans the opportunity to purchase and nobody wants that. Lock in your single-game tickets or a partial season ticket package right here.
A big congrats is due this week to Gabe Jackson, who has been named an SEC Legend. Gabe will be recognized later this fall, but Coach Lebby had the chance to share the news with him in front of the team. Check it out below:
I also want to share a couple of S.T.A.T.E. Shoutouts for some of our incredible staff members.
First, Kyle Apat, Associate AD for Broadcast Services, is receiving a S.T.A.T.E. Shoutout for Transform. I received a note from ESPN praising the professional, high-level production our broadcast team is executing. For a VP at ESPN to go out of their way to highlight this team speaks volumes. Well done, Kyle and Bulldog Broadcast Services!
Additionally, I'd like to give a S.T.A.T.E. Shoutout for Serve to Jasmine Werninger, Carley Dark, and Layla Hatfield from our Fan Experience team. During last week's Salute to Service segment, we honored two State alums, Roy Grafe and George McIntosh. We received a note sharing how Jasmine, Carley, and Layla went above and beyond for these members of our State Family. Thank you, ladies, for living out our S.T.A.T.E. of Mind values.
In closing, thanks to those of you who reached out this week with my mom, Kathryn, not feeling great. She is on the mend and much improved, and we are praising The Good Lord for our health. My mom is a special lady. She's fondly called "PIP" by her kids and grandkids because she's "Pretty In Pink." As a son, knowing that people are continuing to keep her in their prayers is one of the greatest gifts. Thank you…
Hail State!
Zac
It is a great day to be a Mississippi State Bulldog!
Great win last night for Coach Nick Zimmerman and our soccer team. They kept the Magnolia Cup right here in Starkville where it belongs with a 2-0 victory over the school up north. The team's next home game is Thursday, October 16, at 6 p.m. See y'all there to support our Bulldogs!
Speaking of a competitive edge - thank you to everyone who has brought the energy and excitement to Davis Wade Stadium so far this football season. We will continue to work and prepare for big moments. Although we recognize and are grateful to all who have invested time, resources, and financial support to help get us to a much-improved position, we are not satisfied and will not rest on our laurels. We know the standards and expectations. The work continues. The drive continues. The push to achieve new heights persists. We have another opportunity in front of us tomorrow and I am looking forward to seeing our guys respond.
As Coach Lebby and I shared weeks ago, filling the stadium with Maroon and White helps make Davis Wade Stadium one of the best atmospheres in college football. We asked Bulldogs to commit to three things, and they remain true:
- Fill the stands. For the remaining home games, please purchase tickets. If you already have tickets, encourage your friends, neighbors, fellow tailgaters, and coworkers to do the same. We can't have opposing school colors showing up in our sections.
- Protect our home field. If you can't make it, let us help ensure your tickets end up in the hands of another Bulldog. Don't sell to opposing fans.
- Bring the noise and ring responsibly. Our cowbells are part of what makes Mississippi State unique. To keep that tradition strong, remember to hold them when the center is over the ball and just yell. We've proven together that it works.
When Bulldogs don't purchase tickets, it can allow opposing fans the opportunity to purchase and nobody wants that. Lock in your single-game tickets or a partial season ticket package right here.
A big congrats is due this week to Gabe Jackson, who has been named an SEC Legend. Gabe will be recognized later this fall, but Coach Lebby had the chance to share the news with him in front of the team. Check it out below:
This week, Avery Weed, an Ocean Springs, Mississippi native, rewrote the Blessings Collegiate Invitational record books by earning her third career individual victory at 14-under par. Avery is the second Bulldog to win the individual title at the Blessings, joining Julia Lopez Ramirez. The two are the only golfers in the history of the women's event to win the tournament without being part of the host team, Arkansas. Way to go, Avery!𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙀𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙙 𝙄𝙣 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙣 & 𝙒𝙝𝙞𝙩𝙚
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) October 2, 2025
‣ Two-Time All-American
‣ Two-Time First Team All-SEC
‣ Conerly Trophy Winner
‣ 10 Year NFL Career
Now, Gabe Jackson is forever a SEC Legend.#HailState pic.twitter.com/2kfP2IPlUy
First, Kyle Apat, Associate AD for Broadcast Services, is receiving a S.T.A.T.E. Shoutout for Transform. I received a note from ESPN praising the professional, high-level production our broadcast team is executing. For a VP at ESPN to go out of their way to highlight this team speaks volumes. Well done, Kyle and Bulldog Broadcast Services!
Additionally, I'd like to give a S.T.A.T.E. Shoutout for Serve to Jasmine Werninger, Carley Dark, and Layla Hatfield from our Fan Experience team. During last week's Salute to Service segment, we honored two State alums, Roy Grafe and George McIntosh. We received a note sharing how Jasmine, Carley, and Layla went above and beyond for these members of our State Family. Thank you, ladies, for living out our S.T.A.T.E. of Mind values.
In closing, thanks to those of you who reached out this week with my mom, Kathryn, not feeling great. She is on the mend and much improved, and we are praising The Good Lord for our health. My mom is a special lady. She's fondly called "PIP" by her kids and grandkids because she's "Pretty In Pink." As a son, knowing that people are continuing to keep her in their prayers is one of the greatest gifts. Thank you…
Zac
2024-25 Mississippi State Athletics Recap
Thursday, August 21
STATE OF MIND: EP 4 | FT. ZAC SELMON
Thursday, January 09
STATE OF MIND: EP 1 | FT. JOSH HUBBARD
Monday, November 04
Zac Selmon Joins Charlie Winfield And Bart Gregory On Out Of Left Field
Thursday, October 03