Good morning! T-minus 21 days until State fans get to see the latest and greatest Bulldog soccer team take the pitch for the start of a new season. We’re looking forward to seeing this squad throw up some more W’s this season.

What else did we throw into the Brew today?

⚾️ The Return
🏈 Beginning of the Beginning
🐶 And much, much more!

🎥 HAIL STATE PLUS

Our Drip King. We’re throwing it back to Coach Purcell’s first game of the season and his decision to give love back to the fans that afforded him a big opportunity.

In this episode of Coaches Confidential, watch as we go behind the scenes with Bulldog women’s basketball coach Sam Purcell and why decided to rep State on his feet in his first game. We also find out where he got the idea from to wear the shoes in the first place.

🎥  Coaches Confidential: Sam Swag

With HailState+ you get to watch wherever you want to watch. Web, mobile, and (later this year) all major OTT streaming apps like AppleTV, Amazon FireTV, Roku, and Android. We got it all.

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 Beginning of the Beginning. The unofficial beginning of the 2023 college football season for the Bulldogs begins today with the kick off of SEC Media Days with first-year head coach Zach Arnett, DL Jaden Crumedy, RB Jo’quavious Marks, and QB Will Rogers proudly representing MSU.

🔼 The Return. Run it back, (we) have work to do.

These are the words of the returning Bulldog second baseman, Amani Larry. After a solid season saw the 52-game starter finish with a batting average of .297 with 51 hits and 30 RBIs, Larry is planning on making his return to Dudy Noble Field this coming spring.

🎥 Catch some of Larry’s highlights from this season the team cooked up

🔼 Opponent Preview. We are back again with the next installment of previewing the Bulldogs’ 2023 gridiron foes. Today, we’ll be breaking down a team that State is quite unfamiliar with out of the Mid-American Conference, the Western Michigan Broncos!

Quick Hits

• Finished third in the MAC - West division at 5-7.

• Last bowl game appearance: 2021 Quick Lane Bowl vs. Nevada

• Notable win: vs. Toledo at home on Senior Night

• Western Michigan and Mississippi State have never faced each other in football

• Expect the run, and often. First year head coach Lance Taylor, a former running backs coach, will play to the team’s strength: a deep running back room.

WMU Players to Watch

🏈 RB Keshawn King: the recent Broncos’ transfer led Virginia Tech in rushing yards last year, and will bring experience to a young-talented core of backs.

🏈 DB Kani-H Lovely: the best defensive returner on the team, Lovely led all corners with four interceptions and added six tackles for loss, a sack, and a forced fumble.

🏈 DL Marshawn Kneeland: stepping into a big role, Kneeland is one of a few returners for this defense after finishing last season with the fourth-highest tackles for loss and 38 total tackles.

What Does This Mean?

Western Michigan brought in a new coach after finishing with their first losing season since 2016. The Broncos expect to be contending in their conference each year, and they believe Coach Taylor can get them there.

The team lost a lot of high-profile starters last year due to graduation/transfers. However, they still retained many of the younger guys from a defense that boasted the number one defense on third down and number two in scoring in the MAC last season.

🤔 BULLDOG TRIVIA

Starting Off Strong. Earlier, we told you RB Jo’quavious Marks would be one of three student-athletes representing the Mississippi State football team at SEC Media Days.

Our question today — do you know who the last Bulldog RB was to make an appearance at SEC Media Days?

Think you know the answer? Scroll on down to the bottom to find out.

📬 STICK WITH US

Did someone send you the Bulldog Brew? Well, the first thing you should do is thank them. The next thing you should do is subscribe here and get it in your inbox every weekday morning just in time for your first cup of coffee!

🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: Vick Ballard (2011)!

A tip of the cap to venerable MSU beat reporter David Murray for this nugget.

Have a great Tuesday, y'all.