Mississippi State Sports Blog

I didn’t make it over to Starkville for the game last night, so these observations are coming just from what I saw on TV and what I have read in the hours since the game on various boards.
I don’t think there were really any suprises in this game. Both teams came in with highly-touted defense [...]

According to Gregg Ellis’s latest article for the Daily Journal, Coach Croom isn’t too happy with the progress of backup QBs Tray Rutland and Ty Evans. He is apparently considering using Omarr Conner as an emergency quarterback in the event that Henig needs to come out.
Because the battle between Tray Rutland and Ty Evans for [...]

Via Media Relations
STARKVILLE, Miss. - Mississippi State completed its NCAA-mandated five acclimation days of football practice Monday, working in full gear during preseason camp for the first time.
The early morning practice and its rising temperatures, coupled with the first time in full pads, initially took a toll on the Bulldogs.
“I thought we started off poorly,” [...]

Coach Croom signed 4 JUCO players last year with the intent to have them bring maturity and leadership to the team. Wide receivers Tony Burks and Ryan Mason, left tackle J.D. Hamilton and linebacker Tim Bailey are all epxected to do just that.
“They’re grown men,” said Croom, after the Bulldogs’ first practice of the season. [...]

Via Media Relations
STARKVILLE, Miss. - Mississippi State head football coach Sylvester Croom sent his troops through a two hour, 45-minute practice Wednesday, the Bulldogs’ first 2006 preseason camp workout.
And while Croom was happy overall with his defense, he voiced concerns about his offense and the team’s mental preparation.
“I thought the retention by the defense from [...]

Not sure how I missed this on July 29, but here is a great article by Cecil Hurt of the Tuscaloosa News talking about Croom. The best quote:
By the time Croom finished his 40-minute media session, he had surpassed Mike Shula — you know, the guy who actually coaches at Alabama — by a 5-to-1 [...]

The Montgomery Advertiser has a feature article today on quarterback Mike Henig,
who played high school ball at Jefferson Davis High School in Montgomery.
“I think I’ve proven I’m tough enough,” Henig said. “I’ve heard that all my life, ‘everything that has happened to you has been given to you.’ I’ve been working at my dad’s office [...]

A great article in today’s Mobile Press-Register talks about how Coach Croom is leading most other SEC schools in early verbal commitments with 19. Since NCAA regulates that schools can only sign 25 players in a calendar year, Coach Croom can focus on preparing for our August 31st opener against South Carolina.
“These kids we’re recruiting [...]

After an event like SEC Media Days, you can usually expect lots of coverage in regional papers. Here are some links to articles about the ‘Dogs that I found this morning.

Croom hopes experience will add bite to Bulldogs - Tennessean
Henig welcomes the challenge at Miss. State - SunHerald
Opener not worrying Croom - The State (South [...]

Just finished watching the Coach Croom interview from SEC Media Days. Here are a few highlights:

Henig is doing well with his toe injury. Will not participate in conditioning tests, but will participate in practice when those start up next wednesday. Is THE quarterback going into the season.
Talked about his decision to bring Henig to Media [...]

The Birmingham News has a great article on Oak Mountain offensive lineman and Mississippi State commit D.J. Looney. Looney talks a lot about how Coach Croom won him over to come play for the Bulldogs. The article also details Looney as a player.
Looney, the No.10 football prospect on The Birmingham News’ countdown of Super Seniors [...]

Sports Illustrated/Athlon has posted their preview of the 2006 Mississippi State football team. This is another great look at how our team looks leading up to the season opener with South Carolina. I especially love this quote from Coach Croom:
Two years of 3-8, this is the last time for that. I’ve been patient, and my [...]

DawgsBite forum member DawgByDesign created this great desktop background with the 2006 Mississippi State Football Schedule as the center piece. The image is 1280 x 960 and weighs in at aruond 700K. I should have plenty of bandwidth to hand this out to as many that want it, so have at it. Click the image [...]

David Climer of The Tennessean has published an article ranking the 12 SEC coaches and how hot their seats are coming into the 2006 football season. Coach Croom comes in at #4. The reason?
Sylvester Croom, Mississippi State. He was assured he’d have time to ride out NCAA sanctions before they kept score. But successive [...]

The 2006 Mississippi State Football Media Guide is now available from the athletic department website as a PDF download. Currently, it is divided into 13 sections, available as seperate downloads.
You can also order one by mail. Those details are available on the athletic department website as well.
Also available are the 2006 Preseason Depth Chart and [...]