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MSU News & Notes | Thursday, November 8, 2012

All of your MSU News and Notes for Thursday, including a Q&A with RB Nick Griffin, Dan Mullen and Les Miles on the SEC teleconference, the new arena the basketball team will play in on Friday, and more.

By cristilmethod

Sorry for missing out yesterday morning folks. I stayed up a bit too late watching The Walking Dead episodes (NO SPOILERS, ON SEASON 2), and when I skimmed the news and notes material for the day, I realized there probably was not enough material to warrant staying up late to put together a post.

But here we are! Back in the saddle for Thursday, and ready to give you all of the News and Notes that I could find on the interwebs. Let's get started, shall we?

  • Yesterday was SEC teleconference day as always for the head football coaches of the SEC. Taking part in that teleconference was both our own Dan Mullen as well as LSU's Les Miles. Coach Mullen talked about improving on missed tackles, Nick Griffin's role, and more, while Les Miles talked about a very capable MSU team. Miles' chat included this, on rebounding after the Alabama loss:

"The extent you didn't get victory, there's an absence."

  • Speaking of Nick Griffin, it looks like he is gaining coach Mullen's confidence, as well as his own, as he has been getting more carries as the season has progressed. Mullen talked in the press conference about using Griffin more, and yesterday, Bob Carskadon had a chance to chat with Nick in yesterday's weekly Q&A. They talked about the LSU game, the election, aliens, and more.
  • Yesterday's weekly Wednesday Bulldog update included some important information for those traveling to Baton Rouge this weekend. The highlight touches on Baton Rouge gatherings for State fans, updates on available tickets for the Arkansas game, MSU - Loyola commemorative game tickets, and more. Here's a few highlights from the update:

MISSISSIPPI STATE TAILGATE PLANNED FOR LSU GAME

The Office of the President, Alumni Association, Foundation, Bulldog Club and Student Association will host a tailgate prior to the Mississippi State football game at LSU this Saturday for all Bulldog faithful traveling to Baton Rouge.

Kickoff is set for 6 p.m., and the tailgate will run from 1 to 3:30 p.m. This will allow fans to get to the Dawg Wak to cheer on our Bulldogs as they enter the stadium.

The MSU tailgate will be held under a tent in the Walk-On's parking lot. Located at 3838 Burbank Drive, just off Nicholson Drive, Walk-On's is a popular bistro and bar located in close proximity to Tiger Stadium. Complimentary appetizers will be served, with cash bars available. Appetizers will include catfish strips, boudin balls, chicken tenders and spinach and artichoke dip, while supplies last.

TIGER STADIUM CONSTRUCTION COULD IMPACT MSU FAN ENTRY

Expansion and renovation at Tiger Stadium on the LSU campus could impact Mississippi State fans as they approach gates to enter the stadium this weekend. Click here for a map of the construction area and impact on access to the stadium.

An LSU advisory is asking fans to arrive early for the game and be aware that changes in gate access at the south end of the stadium could be affected. There will be limited pedestrian access to gates in the southeast corner for fans coming from South Stadium Drive.

Our tickets at LSU are located on the 300 level, the 400 level and in the upper level of Tiger Stadium. Fans with 300 level tickets should enter through Gate 11 and those with 400 level seats should access their seating area through Gates 14, and 18 through 20. Those gates are most impacted by the construction zone. Fans are encouraged to use the pedestrian route from Fieldhouse Drive to the stadium via Powerhouse Lane, and walkways by Hatcher Hall and Johnston Hall.

Gate access to upper level seating should not be affected.

  • ESPNU yesterday announced dates for SEC baseball games to air on the network next spring. MSU's Thursday night opening game against Auburn on Super Bulldog Weekend was selected as State's game to air on the network. You'll remember that State's opener against Tennessee last Super Bulldog Weekend was on ESPNU as well, but I'd imagine the university will push for a better turnout this go around. Texas A&M, Florida, South Carolina, and LSU all will have two games featured on the network, while Ole Miss, State, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Alabama will only get one. WELL, THAT"S SHOCKING.
  • Coach Rick Ray and Jalen Steele took time out of their practice schedule to chat with the media today, as they prepare for Friday night's season opener on the road against Troy University.
  • Here's a recap from FWtCT friend Wes Johnson on the Troy Trojans' 61-57 exhibition victory over Alaska-Anchorage last Sunday night. The Trojans, as it turns out, are also hosting their first home game in the new Trojan Arena Friday as State travels to town. I was going to copy a link to some pictures for you here, but Brandon Marcello tweeted out a link last night to this article, which features a video tour of Troy's new Trojan Arena. Really nice arena.
  • Sad news yesterday out of Texas as former Texas Longhorns coach Darrell Royal passed away at the age of 88. Although Royal is more widely known for his 20 year coaching career in Austin, he actually coached at Mississippi State prior to that for the 1952, 1954, and 1955 seasons. In the 1952 season, Darrell served as the running backs coach, and in 1953, he left to become the head coach of the Edmonton Eskimos, only to return the following season to become the head coach at MSU. Both years he was the Maroons coach he registered a 6-4 record, and in 1956 he left to take the head coaching position at the University of Washington for one season, before finally heading to Texas in 1957. Also included in that link above is a neat bit of information: in honor of Royal, Texas will open in the Wishbone formation Saturday against Iowa State.
  • The best political acceptance speech ever. Spencer Hall for president, 2016.
  • While you were watching the election Tuesday evening, MACtion was happening.
  • Our own Justin Sutton made his second appearance on ESPNU's Unite program Tuesday evening to duel it out with And The Valley Shook's Steven Baker.
  • Can Alabama beat an NFL team is not the appropriate question, it's HOW MANY.
  • IS IT FRIDAY YET? Seriously, I can not wait to see the new Bond film, Skyfall.
  • Keep on Jacksoning it up, Jackson.

    • That's it for today's News and Notes folks, have a good Thursday!

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