Mississippi State
Minnesota
State Eyes First Road Test At Minnesota
September 11, 2026 | Football
GAME 2
Mississippi State (1-0, 0-0 SEC) at Minnesota (1-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
Saturday, September 12 | 2:30 p.m. CT
TV: CBS
Streaming: Paramount+
Broadcast Talent: Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Charles Davis (analyst), Jenny Dell (reporter)
Radio: HailState.com/Watch | MSU Sports Network | SiriusXM 180 or 230 | SiriusXM App
Radio Talent: Neil Price (play-by-play), Matt Wyatt (analyst), Jay Perry (reporter)
State Starts Fast in Season-Opener
- The uptempo Mississippi State offense scored on each of its first eight drives for the first time on record in the week one win over ULM. State finished with a program-record 762 total yards.
- State's 41 first half points were four shy of a program record for points in a half. The 459 first half yards of offense were the most in the Jeff Lebby era.
Dawg Debuts
- Thirty-four student-athletes made their Bulldog debut in week one, including 13 seeing their first playing time in a collegiate game.
- Zion Ragins found paydirt for the first time in his collegiate career with a 22-yard touchdown reception on the second drive of the game.
- Freshman J.J. Hill took over the fourth quarter with a 57-yard touchdown run followed by an eight-yard score in the closing minutes.
- Hill's two touchdown performance makes him the first Bulldog with a multi-rushing touchdown game in his collegiate debut since Ashton Shumpert ran it in twice against Alcorn State on Sept. 7, 2013.
- Hill was the highest graded true freshman from week one according to Pro Football Focus with a grade of 95.8.
Dawg D-Line Strong in Week One Win
- Trevion Williams recorded the first sack of the season for the Bulldogs, tying his single game high. The man they call "Bam Bam" is in his fifth season in Starkville and third as a regular contributor on the defensive line.
- Jaray Bledsoe picked up where he left off in 2025, tying his career high for TFLs in a game with 1.5.
- Will Whitson played in just two games in 2025 before suffering a season-ending knee injury. He made his triumphant return to the field on Saturday to the tune of six tackles, 0.5 TFLs and a QB Hurry.
‘The Most Fun Defense I’ve Ever Been A Part Of’
For as much as Marcus Williams and company are looking forward to getting back in front of their home fans, fighting as a visitor is exciting, too. Williams is confident the Dawgs will be up for the challenge.
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Back in the City of Lakes
- For three MSU assistant coaches, the week two matchup includes a return to the city they called home while playing for the Minnesota Vikings.
- Phil Loadholt (2009-14), Brandon Fusco (2011-16) and Jon Cooper (2009-10) all had stints in the City of Lakes in their professional careers. Loadholt and Fusco were both starters on the offensive line during Adrian Peterson's 2012 MVP season.
- In addition to coaching staff members who played for the Vikings, the fathers of two Bulldogs also played professionally in Minnesota: Amaree Williams' father Moe (1996-2000, 2002-05), as well as Luke Hutchinson's father Steve (2006-11).
The SEC In Minnesota
- When State takes the field on Saturday, it'll mark the first time Minnesota has hosted an SEC team since Vanderbilt traveled to play the Golden Gophers in 1959.
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