Bulldog Brew 8/7: Back in Business

First of Many, Center Stage, and much more!

Author

Zach Garrett
August 07, 2023

Good morning! Guess who earned their third MVP nod of their career this weekend? If you guessed Mia Davidson-Smith, then you would be correct! She earned it by posting her first career 200-point game, and the 49th in AU Pro Softball history.

What else did we throw into the Brew today?

🏀 First of Many
🏈 Center Stage
🐶 And much, much more!

🎥 HAIL STATE PLUS

Main Man. The Dear Ol’ State podcast crew sits down with the guy running the whole football operation, head coach Zach Arnett, to discuss what all went in to planning preseason camp, how he has learned from State’s past, and welcoming a new addition to the family while at SEC Media Days.

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

🔼 First of Many. Tolu Smith is primed to have many accolades come his way during the 2023-24 college basketball season, and he’s already got his first of the year. Smith is one of 15 players to be named Preseason All-American by ESPN’s Dick Vitale.

Last season, Smith finished as a consensus All-SEC First Team selection and was one of five players in the Power 5 to average 15.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.

🔼 Meet the Team. Bulldog soccer fans: ahead of tonight’s preseason opener against Kennesaw State at 6:30 CT, meet a couple more members of the State soccer team.

🔼 Back In Business. Preseason football camp is officially underway as the Bulldogs prepare for its season opener on September 2nd. Yesterday was the first day in full pads for State’s football team during training camp.

Additionally, get caught up on the first couple of Bulldog practices.

🔼 Center Stage. Add another Bulldog to the college football awards watchlist. State’s Cole Smith was added to the 2023 Rimington Trophy watchlist — an award that goes to college football’s most outstanding center. Smith started all 13 games last season and allowed just one sack across 694 pass-blocking snaps.

🔼 Oh Captain My Captain. Bulldog legend Mia Davidson-Smith will captain the orange team in Week 3 of Athletes Unlimited play. She hit two home runs and earned two MVP nods in three games this week. This week also saw her post her first career 200-point game. It will be her first time in the captain’s chair later tonight.

🔼 Mission Accomplished. After a 10-day trip over to Portugal that saw the Bulldog men’s basketball team record three wins, the team is back on their home turf.

🗣️ “Sure, winning and losing are important in our program, but it was more about playing the right way, then off the court, being able to become a true family…the guys had a great time and it [was] an awesome experience.” - Associate Head Coach James Miller

🤔 BULLDOG TRIVIA

Pro Dawgs. With the back-half of the MLB season in full swing, several Diamond Dawg alums are heating up. One particular former Bulldog had the opportunity to make his pro debut.

Our question today — do you know which former player made their pro debut this weekend?

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!

🐶 DAWG DAILY

Today’s Dawg Daily: Neil gives his thoughts on some of what he’s observed during the first few days of football training camp. Plus, hear some news about two of State’s Smith’s - Cole and Tolu.

🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: KC Hunt!

Hunt was able to make his pro debut with the ACL Brewers this weekend and got his career off to a great start after pitching a scoreless inning for the team.

Have a great Monday, y'all.