Gameday: MSU Begins 118th Football Season, Welcomes Charleston Southern For Opener
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Eight months removed from a school-record seventh straight bowl appearance, the 118th edition of Mississippi State football begins a new chapter as the Bulldogs host Charleston Southern in the season-opener at 3 p.m. CT Saturday in Davis Wade Stadium. For complete gameday information, visit HailState.com/gameday.
Tickets
The Davis Wade Stadium ticket office opens at noon and all gates will open at 1 p.m. Tickets are also available for purchase on HailState.com. The C Spire Fan Zone opens at 11 a.m. The “Dawg Walk” will take place at 1 p.m. in the Junction.
What To Wear
Saturday’s season-opener is a White Out game with all fans encouraged to wear white.
Viewing Information
The game will be televised live on SEC Network with Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play), Andre Ware (analyst) and Olivia Harlan (sideline) calling the action. Live streaming video is available via the Watch ESPN app and WatchESPN.com.
Listening Information
The MSU Sports Network C Spire Tailgate Show goes live at 1 p.m. New “Voice of the Bulldogs” Neil Price makes his debut. He will be joined by Matt Wyatt and new sideline reporter Jay Perry. Together, they will call the game on the network (check for affiliates here). Live audio is also available for FREE at HailState.com and via the TuneIn app.
Social Media/Live Stats
Live updates from the game are available via MSU’s official social media channels:Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (click the links). Fans can also follow behind-the-scenes content via SnapChat by searching for HailStateSnap. Live stats are available via Stat Broadcast at MSU.StatBroadcast.com.
Clear Bag Policy
Fans are reminded of the SEC’s league-wide clear bag policy this season. Fans are encouraged not to bring any types of bags inside SEC stadiums during football games; however, the following outlines bags that are permitted:
— Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12"
— One-gallon clear plastic freezer bags (Ziploc bag or similar)
— Small clutch bags, with or without a handle or strap, that do not exceed 4.5" x 6.5" (approximately the size of a hand)
— An exception will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at gates B and I of Davis Wade Stadium.
— Full details are available at HailState.com/clearbag.
Golf Cart/Low-Speed Vehicle Policy
Fans also are reminded that all privately owned golf carts are expected to operate in the same manner as an automobile or other motorized vehicle.
— All golf carts must comply with Mississippi Motor Vehicle and Traffic regulations. (See Miss. Code Annotated Title 63-1-1 seq.)
— Operators of private golf carts must possess a valid driver’s license and proper insurance identifying the vehicle driven.
— All privately owned golf carts operated on campus must possess a valid license plate.
— Privately owned golf carts may only be operated on streets open for public traffic. Privately owned golf carts will not be allowed access to roadways closed prior to game time, such as Creelman Street, Barr Avenue, B.S. Hood Drive, and Stone Boulevard.
— Without exception, private golf carts are prohibited on any grass or any tailgating areas, such as the Cullis Wade Depot lawn, Fan Fare area, the Junction, West Lawn tent area, or other areas on gameday.
— Privately owned golf carts may not be driven alongside any closed road or on any sidewalks or grass.
— Privately owned golf carts must possess a license plate and have a valid Bulldog Club Parking Pass or Public Paid Parking Pass to park in campus lots on gameday. As with automobiles, golf carts may not exit and re-enter reserved or pay lots on gamedays.
— Violation of these rules could result in the issuance of traffic citations and other penalties, as outlined by state laws and/or university policies.
— Privately owned all-terrain, four wheel, farm utility, “gators” or other side-by-side vehicles are also prohibited on campus.
Smoke Free Campus
Davis Wade Stadium is a clear air facility. Smoking in any form is prohibited on campus. For more details, visit smokefree.msstate.edu.
Weather
Temperatures are expected to be in the low 80s at kickoff with partly cloudy skies. Fans are allowed to bring in one (1) clear full or empty water bottle per person.
Series History
MSU and Charleston Southern are meeting for the first time. The Bulldogs are 2-0 all-time against the Big South Conference.
Mullen Watch
Head coach Dan Mullen begins his ninth season after guiding the program to the winningest eight-year stretch in history. At 61-42, Mullen is just four victories shy of tying College Football Hall of Famer Allyn McKeen as the second-winningest coach in school history.
Fitzgerald Record Book
Junior quarterback Nick Fitzgerald, the 2016 SEC leader in total offense, needs just one more 100-yard rushing game to tie the school quarterback record that is currently owned by Dak Prescott and Don Smith. Fitzgerald owns eight 100-yard rushing games, all of which he produced last season.
Times of Interest
Time Clock Event
1:35:00 p.m. — Team On Field
2:01:00 p.m. 60:00 60-Minute Clock Countdown Begins
2:31:00 p.m. 30:00 Teams Leave Field
2:50:30 p.m. 10:30 National Anthem
2:51:30 p.m. 9:30 Flyover
2:56:00 p.m. 5:00 Mississippi State Intro Video
2:57:30 p.m. 3:30 Mississippi State Takes Field
2:58:00 p.m. 3:00 Coin Toss
2:59:00 p.m. 2:00 Charleston Southern Takes Field
3:01:00 p.m. 0:00 Kickoff
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Eight months removed from a school-record seventh straight bowl appearance, the 118th edition of Mississippi State football begins a new chapter as the Bulldogs host Charleston Southern in the season-opener at 3 p.m. CT Saturday in Davis Wade Stadium. For complete gameday information, visit HailState.com/gameday.
Tickets
The Davis Wade Stadium ticket office opens at noon and all gates will open at 1 p.m. Tickets are also available for purchase on HailState.com. The C Spire Fan Zone opens at 11 a.m. The “Dawg Walk” will take place at 1 p.m. in the Junction.
What To Wear
Saturday’s season-opener is a White Out game with all fans encouraged to wear white.
Viewing Information
The game will be televised live on SEC Network with Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play), Andre Ware (analyst) and Olivia Harlan (sideline) calling the action. Live streaming video is available via the Watch ESPN app and WatchESPN.com.
Listening Information
The MSU Sports Network C Spire Tailgate Show goes live at 1 p.m. New “Voice of the Bulldogs” Neil Price makes his debut. He will be joined by Matt Wyatt and new sideline reporter Jay Perry. Together, they will call the game on the network (check for affiliates here). Live audio is also available for FREE at HailState.com and via the TuneIn app.
Social Media/Live Stats
Live updates from the game are available via MSU’s official social media channels:Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (click the links). Fans can also follow behind-the-scenes content via SnapChat by searching for HailStateSnap. Live stats are available via Stat Broadcast at MSU.StatBroadcast.com.
Clear Bag Policy
Fans are reminded of the SEC’s league-wide clear bag policy this season. Fans are encouraged not to bring any types of bags inside SEC stadiums during football games; however, the following outlines bags that are permitted:
— Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12"
— One-gallon clear plastic freezer bags (Ziploc bag or similar)
— Small clutch bags, with or without a handle or strap, that do not exceed 4.5" x 6.5" (approximately the size of a hand)
— An exception will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at gates B and I of Davis Wade Stadium.
— Full details are available at HailState.com/clearbag.
Golf Cart/Low-Speed Vehicle Policy
Fans also are reminded that all privately owned golf carts are expected to operate in the same manner as an automobile or other motorized vehicle.
— All golf carts must comply with Mississippi Motor Vehicle and Traffic regulations. (See Miss. Code Annotated Title 63-1-1 seq.)
— Operators of private golf carts must possess a valid driver’s license and proper insurance identifying the vehicle driven.
— All privately owned golf carts operated on campus must possess a valid license plate.
— Privately owned golf carts may only be operated on streets open for public traffic. Privately owned golf carts will not be allowed access to roadways closed prior to game time, such as Creelman Street, Barr Avenue, B.S. Hood Drive, and Stone Boulevard.
— Without exception, private golf carts are prohibited on any grass or any tailgating areas, such as the Cullis Wade Depot lawn, Fan Fare area, the Junction, West Lawn tent area, or other areas on gameday.
— Privately owned golf carts may not be driven alongside any closed road or on any sidewalks or grass.
— Privately owned golf carts must possess a license plate and have a valid Bulldog Club Parking Pass or Public Paid Parking Pass to park in campus lots on gameday. As with automobiles, golf carts may not exit and re-enter reserved or pay lots on gamedays.
— Violation of these rules could result in the issuance of traffic citations and other penalties, as outlined by state laws and/or university policies.
— Privately owned all-terrain, four wheel, farm utility, “gators” or other side-by-side vehicles are also prohibited on campus.
Smoke Free Campus
Davis Wade Stadium is a clear air facility. Smoking in any form is prohibited on campus. For more details, visit smokefree.msstate.edu.
Weather
Temperatures are expected to be in the low 80s at kickoff with partly cloudy skies. Fans are allowed to bring in one (1) clear full or empty water bottle per person.
Series History
MSU and Charleston Southern are meeting for the first time. The Bulldogs are 2-0 all-time against the Big South Conference.
Mullen Watch
Head coach Dan Mullen begins his ninth season after guiding the program to the winningest eight-year stretch in history. At 61-42, Mullen is just four victories shy of tying College Football Hall of Famer Allyn McKeen as the second-winningest coach in school history.
Fitzgerald Record Book
Junior quarterback Nick Fitzgerald, the 2016 SEC leader in total offense, needs just one more 100-yard rushing game to tie the school quarterback record that is currently owned by Dak Prescott and Don Smith. Fitzgerald owns eight 100-yard rushing games, all of which he produced last season.
Times of Interest
Time Clock Event
1:35:00 p.m. — Team On Field
2:01:00 p.m. 60:00 60-Minute Clock Countdown Begins
2:31:00 p.m. 30:00 Teams Leave Field
2:50:30 p.m. 10:30 National Anthem
2:51:30 p.m. 9:30 Flyover
2:56:00 p.m. 5:00 Mississippi State Intro Video
2:57:30 p.m. 3:30 Mississippi State Takes Field
2:58:00 p.m. 3:00 Coin Toss
2:59:00 p.m. 2:00 Charleston Southern Takes Field
3:01:00 p.m. 0:00 Kickoff
