For many Bulldog fans, the "good ole days" refers back to 1998-2000 when Mississippi State looked to be on the verge of being the next major break through program. Over the course of those three seasons, the Bulldogs won several games that made this list, but only in this match are two of those memorable wins pitted against each other.
It's time to decide, which game moves down the path to glory: MSU knocking off No. 3 Florida or the thrilling win over Texas A&M in the Snow Bowl.
MISSISSIPPI STATE (NR) 47 vs. University of Florida (#3) 35
If Mississippi State fans remember anything about this game, they probably remember the phrase: 3rd and 57. That's right. The vaunted Florida offense had been rattled by the Bulldog defense, and when you combine that with a quarterback switch, bad things happen.
Mississippi State opened the 2000 season where they had closed out the 1999 season, on a winning note. However, a trip to Columbia resulted in a Mississippi State loss, and the Bulldogs dropped out of the polls before playing host to the Gators on the CBS game of the week on September 30.
At that time, many experts considered Scott Field one of the most difficult places to pull off a victory. The Bulldogs quickly showed why when they jumped out to an early 5-0 lead before taking a 16-11 lead into the half.
The stat that jumps off of the page is that the Bulldogs ran for 351 yards while holding Florida to a -78. Dontae Walker ran for 156 yards and a score, and Dicenzo Miller picked up 172 yards on the ground and a touchdown.
After the game, the goal posts came down, and I still have a piece of the flag. You should also go down the youtube rabbit hole with this game.
Mississippi State 43 vs. Texas A&M 41 (OT)-2000 Independence Bowl
The year 2000 found a way to bring about some amazing football games, and this one became an instant classic. While the play on the field was intense, it was a freak snowstorm that rolled through Shreveport, covering the field in snow. Adding to the intrigue, depending on when you say a century starts and ends, the Bulldogs won the last game of the 21st century.
The Bulldogs struggled early with the center-quarterback exchange, and Texas A&M jumped out to a 14-0 lead after the first quarter. As had been the case for most of the season, the MSU running backs took over.
Dontae Walker put the Bulldogs on the board with a 40 yard run, and Dicenzo Miller scored on a 5-yard screen pass to tie the game.
After the half, the teams battled back and forth. Walker added two more touchdowns, and Wayne Madkin hooked up with Donald Lee on a three-yard touchdown to tie the game and force overtime.
In overtime, the Bulldogs made what might have been the signature play of the game. After A&M scored a touchdown, Willie Blade blocked the point after and Eugene Clinton and Julius Griffith combined to score on the defensive conversion. A few plays later, Madkin found the end zone to a Maroon and definitely WHITE victory.
Here is another youtube rabbit hole.
A few thoughts about both games--We need that logo back on our helmets. Bad.... Also, who has some exciting drive home stories from Shreveport? I heard it took 6 or more hours to get to Jackson.
So what say you Bulldog fans, which of these great games advance?