Good morning! Bulldog football’s leading tackler put everyone on notice, letting Starkville know that something big is brewing:

“I feel like the bond we’re building right now, just hte vibes in the building, you can tell that there’s something special about to happen here. I just want people to buckle up for it.” - Isaac Smith

What else did we throw into today’s Bulldog Brew?

⚽️ Previewing the Bulldogs’ road battle
🏈 Back to action
🐶 And much, much more!

🎙️ DEAR OL’ STATE

Dear Ol’ State: Mosley and Blanton Readying For Road Test. Mississippi State football faces a huge road test this weekend as MSU faces Georgia over in Athens. Two guys that'll have a big role in the proceedings are wide receiver Jordan Mosley and linebacker Stone Blanton. Joel Coleman and Logan Lowery catch up with those two Bulldogs on the latest edition of Dear Ol' State.

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 Dawgs vs. Dawgs. Fresh off one of the biggest wins in program history, the No. 4-ranked Bulldog soccer team will travel to Athens to face Georgia in an SEC showdown today at 5:30 p.m. State, now 10-1-0 overall and undefeated in SEC play at 4-0-0, is seeking to extend their seven-match winning streak and remain perfect in the conference. MSU’s defensive metrics continue to be among the best in the nation, with a goals allowed per game average of 0.18, thanks largely to the stellar play of Maddy Anderson and a disciplined back line led by veterans Alexis Gutierrez, Rylie Combs and Price Loposer. Offensively, the Bulldogs are averaging just under two goals per game, with Ally Perry leading the charge.

📚️ Read more about today’s matchup 

🔼 Back To Action. Bye weeks in football are meant to refresh and rejuvenate. That is especially true for Mississippi State. With the first part of the season behind them, head coach Jeff Lebby and his football team are looking forward to returning to the field with a fresh perspective.

🗣️ "I thought it was important for our guys to get away a little bit—reset, refocus, regroup and get ready for this back half of the season. As we got in the building [Monday] morning, our guys had great energy, and they've had good energy with really good intent." - Jeff Lebby

The Bulldogs return to action just like they left it, with a road contest against a top-five team. State showed signs of growth two weeks ago at Texas, and Lebby looks to build upon it at Georgia this Saturday. The true freshman quarterback, Michael Van Buren Jr., will face another hostile environment this weekend in Athens after making his first career start two weeks ago.

🔼 Ready To Rock. For the third time this fall, Mississippi State's women's tennis team will hit the road for a tournament. Chris Hooshyar's Bulldogs begin the ITA Southern Regional Championship today hosted at Auburn's Yarbrough Tennis Center. State is sending eight players to The Plains and opening with Athina Pitta and Emma Cohen in the qualifying draw of singles. The rest of the Bulldogs participating in the six-day event are expected to join the fray on Friday morning to begin the doubles main draw followed by the first round of the singles main draw later in the day.

🔼 State To Sunday. The pipeline from State to the NFL is strong, and last week’s performances from the former Bulldogs proved just that.

🏈 The 2023 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, linebacker Nathaniel Watson, notched the first two tackles of his professional career after being elevated from the practice squad by Cleveland.

🏈 Chris Jones' stat line for Week 5 was limited to two assisted tackles and a quarterback hurry but PFF rated it as the No. 2 defensive performance in the NFL this past week with a 93.2 grade.

🏈 Preston Smith had four assisted tackles and a half-sack during Green Bay's road victory at the Rams. Smith now has 2.5 sacks on the season and 68.5 for his career.

📚️ Read about more performances from former Bulldog football players in Week 5 of the NFL

Game Day Giveaway! Fill out the entry form to enter the prize draw. One lucky winner will receive 2 Tickets to Arkansas @ Mississippi State on 10/26, and a $100 Alumni Hall Gift Card!

🤔 BULLDOG TRIVIA

Keeping A Lead. Today’s trivia question…what is State soccer’s record when scoring first?

Think you got it? Scroll to the bottom of the Bulldog Brew to see if you know your stuff!

🤝 SHARE THE BREW

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📆 THE WEEK AHEAD

Thursday, October 10
🎾 Women’s Tennis @ ITA Southern Regionals in Auburn, AL
⚽️ Soccer vs. Georgia @ 5:30 p.m. in Athens, GA | SECN+

Friday, October 11
🎾 Women’s Tennis @ ITA Southern Regionals in Auburn, AL
🏐 Volleyball vs. Florida @ 6 p.m. in Gainesville, FL | SECN+

Saturday, October 12
🎾 Women’s Tennis @ ITA Southern Regionals in Auburn, AL
🥎 Softball vs. Copiah-Lincoln CC @ 2 p.m. in Starkville, MS
🏈 Football vs. Georgia @ 3:15 p.m. in Athens, GA | SECN | Listen
🥎 Softball vs. Bevill State CC @ 4:30 p.m. in Starkville, MS

Sunday, October 13
🎾 Women’s Tennis @ ITA Southern Regionals in Auburn, AL
🏐 Volleyball vs. Auburn @ 2 p.m. in Starkville, MS | SECN
⚽️ Soccer vs. Missouri @ 6:30 p.m. in Starkville, MS | SECN+

🐶 Click here to see the full Mississippi State Athletics Calendar

🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: 50-1-6!

The Bulldogs are 50-1-6 when scoring first and an unbeaten 32-0-3 when leading at the half. Their ability to control matches once ahead has been one of the hallmarks of Armstrong's tenure.

🐶 Have a great Thursday, y'all!