Good morning! Look good, feel good, play good. Bulldog volleyball's new locker room is just the latest completed piece of MSU athletics' comprehensive long-term master plan for all athletic facilities.

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

🥈 Arop takes silver in men’s 800m final
⚽️ Hodge named as a player to watch by United Soccer Coaches
🐶 And much, much more!

🎥 THE DUDES

The Dudes: Grand Purpose. In this episode, we follow Burke Masters from his iconic grand slam to send the Bulldogs to Omaha to his unexpected path as a Catholic priest and now as the Chicago Cubs' Team Chaplain. Reflecting on his college years, Masters shares how baseball enstilled in him values that still resonate today.

Integrating his love for the game with his spiritual calling, he finds fulfillment in guiding players both on and off the field. Through his story, we witness the seamless blending of sportsmanship, faith, and the unwavering belief in God's plan that defines Masters' remarkable journey.

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 An All-Time Finish. A historic men's 800m final ended with a photo finish on Saturday, and former Mississippi State All-American Marco Arop won silver. Arop's 1:41.20 broke not only his personal best and his Canadian national record, but it now stands as the North American record and the fourth-fastest time in world history. The final was so quick that it was the first Olympic final ever with four men under 1:42.00 and seven of the eight under 1:43.00.

🗣️ “We've been fighting for this day all year long, and we thought we'd timed it right. I just couldn't be happier with the way I performed. I've got a huge lifetime best and a silver medal. I can't be upset." - Marco Arop

🎥 See just how close the finish was for the former Bulldog

🔼 Watch Out. Bulldog midfielder Macey Hodge has been named to the United Soccer Coaches 2024 Division I Women's Players to Watch List, underscoring her status as one of the top midfielders in collegiate soccer heading into the new season. Hodge's inclusion on this list follows a standout 2023 season in which she was named an All-SEC First Team Midfielder while also securing a place on the 2023 NCAA All-Southeast Region Second Team.

🔼 Watch Out II. Earlier this past weekend, Mississippi State football's Ethan Miner was named to the 2024 Rimington Trophy Watchlist, an award presented to the most outstanding center in NCAA Division I College Football. Miner was the second-best offensive lineman in The American according to PFF last season (81.5), and spent one year at North Texas before his time at Arkansas State. In his career, Miner has played in 44 career games with 36 starts.

🔼 Dawg Talk Is Back. Mississippi State football's radio show, "Dawg Talk," returns for the 2024 season with head coach Jeff Lebby and other Bulldog football players. The show will air every Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux in Starkville. The 60-minute program will be featured weekly on the affiliates of the MSU Sports Radio Network, and Neil Price, "The Voice of the Bulldogs," will host the show.

🔼 Ready For Anything. As Mississippi State wideout Creed Whitemore prepares for the 2024 season, the sophomore is getting set to not only catch passes but do absolutely whatever he can to win on Saturdays in the Maroon and White.

🗣️ "I try to be a utility player. I played quarterback in high school. I obviously changed to receiver when I came here, but I feel like I can do a lot of stuff on the football field. Whether that's holding, punt returning, running down at gunner or wherever they need from me." - Creed Whittemore

State’s Swiss Army Knife says there isn’t anything he won’t do. Whittemore appeared in all 12 games and started two in 2023. He caught 11 passes for 102 yards and two touchdowns and showed just how versatile he is as he ran for 60 yards and a score on just four carries.

📚️ Read more about Whittemore and how he is preparing for the upcoming season

🤔 BULLDOG TRIVIA

Name That Pro Dawg. Today’s trivia question…which former Diamond Dawg struck out eight batters in his Double-A debut?

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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📆 LOOKING AHEAD

Thursday, August 15

⚽️ Soccer vs. Baylor @ 6:30pm in Starkville, MS

Sunday, August 18

⚽️ Soccer vs. Northwestern State @ 1:00pm in Starkville, MS

Thursday, August 22

⚽️ Soccer vs. Charlotte @ 6:00pm in Charlotte, NC

Saturday, August 24

🏐 Volleyball vs. Memphis @ 4:00pm in Memphis, TN

Saturday, August 31

🏈 Football vs. Eastern Kentucky @ 5:00pm in Starkville, MS

🐶 Click here to see the full Mississippi State Athletics Calendar

🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: K.C. Hunt!

Hunt struck out eight and allowed zero runs over 5.1 innings of work with the Biloxi Shuckers (a Milwaukee Brewers affiliate) in his Double-A debut.

🐶 Have a great Monday, y'all!