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No one gave us a chance.
We seemed down and out. We had nothing to play for. The season was over.
No one gave us a chance.
Throughout a year laden with misfortune and heartbreak, all we needed was a spark. That spark could turn into a flame. That flame could turn into a fire.
No one gave us a chance.
That spark may have come in last week's win over Samford. It was ugly and our defense was lackluster at best, but we saw a terrific showing by Nick Fitzgerald and the offense that could give us some hope entering the November gauntlet of Texas A&M, Alabama, Arkansas, and Ole Miss.
No one gave us a chance.
The Mississippi State football team could have quit. They could've thought that they're 3-5, the season is over, they have nothing to play for, and we may as well start preparing for next season.
They thought the opposite. They felt the opposite. They did the opposite.
The Mississippi State Bulldogs did the improbable and defeated the fourth-ranked Texas A&M Aggies 35-28 on Saturday, changing the dynamic of this entire season and, more importantly, the program.
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This win is a program changer. Beginning with the season opening loss to South Alabama, this program seemed as if it regressed seven years, to when Dan Mullen first arrived in Starkville. The losses to South Alabama, Kentucky, BYU, and the blowout at the hands of Auburn were all pieces that made up the hellish puzzle that is better known as the 2016 Mississippi State football season.
It looked like we were entering the end of the Jackie Sherrill era. But, all of a sudden, we pull off a win with striking similarities to Jackie’s 3-5 team that knocked off #8 Alabama in 1996. That game is credited for being the spark that lit the fire of four consecutive winning seasons from 1997-2000 which included an SEC West title, a 10-win season, and two bowl victories.
Saturday’s victory over Texas A&M could be that spark. Our program went from the outhouse to the penthouse. All of a sudden, thanks to a 60 minute period of time, we believe again.
We have the future of the program at quarterback. Nick Fitzgerald had that terrific showing against Samford, but now, he has proven himself against competition in the upper-echelon of teams nationwide. Quarterback play has been one of the most frustrating aspects of this team, but now, we are confident that Nick Fitzgerald is the guy.
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We love Dan Mullen again. Dan Mullen has been the linchpin of Mississippi State’s rebuild. But, this season, he’s been criticized more than ever, to the extent that people are calling for his firing. But, he has waded through the water, he has weathered the storm, and it has all paid off. Dan Mullen went from a coach some fans want fired, back to a coach that fans want in Starkville for the rest of his life.
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We have a daunting road ahead; we may not be able to pull off another win. But, regardless of what happens the rest of the way, it’s been proven that Mississippi State is capable of defeating the best teams in the country.
This game silenced everyone. This game changed the program. As Arnold Palmer said, the most rewarding things you do in life are the ones that look like they cannot be done.
It looked like we couldn't do this. But, we did it, and it feels so rewarding.