Good afternoon, Stark Vegas! It’s now 2019, but it didn’t exactly start off in good fashion. Since winter break is wrapping up, these articles will return to a more regular basis. Another crushing realization is that college football is nearly done. But it’s okay! State men’s and women’s basketball teams sit at 12-1 going into SEC play.

Let’s look at some MSU-related headlines real quick.

Football falls to Iowa 27-22

Nick Fitzgerald had two touchdowns and two interceptions in his last game for Mississippi State. Besides Fitzgerald, nobody could get things going on the ground. Iowa’s Nate Stanley, however, got things done through the air, passing for 214 yards and three touchdowns. Stanley’s main target was Nick Easley, who had eight catches for 104 yards.

Read our full recap here.

Top 10 State-related stories of 2018

Robbie Faulk of MSU’s 247 Sports website wrote an article talking about the top-10 stories of MSU sports in 2018. Give it a read!

Men’s basketball still has a few days before its first conference game, but women’s basketball begins tomorrow against Arkansas. So with football ending, we’re getting into the heat of basketball season.

Let’s look at some national stories.

Tyler Trent passes away

An inspiration to the college football world, Tyler Trent, passed away. ESPN featured him when the Boilermakers played Ohio State, where Trent was in attendance. Purdue won that game 49-20.

Rest in peace, Tyler.

New Year’s bowl games

For Outback Bowl results, see above.

VRBO Citrus Bowl: Kentucky 27, Penn State 24

Playstation Fiesta Bowl: LSU 40, UCF 32

Rose Bowl, presented by Northwestern Mutual: Ohio State 28, Washington 23

Allstate Sugar Bowl: Texas 28, Georgia 21

Here’s an extra gem from the Sugar Bowl. Texas’ mascot, Bevo, met UGA’s Bulldog. It didn’t exactly go well...

NFL Playoffs are around the corner, so if you still need your football fix beyond the CFP National Championship between No. 1 Alabama and No. 2 Clemson, you’re in luck.

Have a good day and Hail State!