Dawghouse: A Mississippi State Podcast

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These Bulldogs take their break while Jeff Lebby goes recruiting for Mississippi State's future

These Bulldogs take their break while Jeff Lebby goes recruiting for Mississippi State's future

The 2024 season pauses for Mississippi State's first open date. The Bulldogs had two practices and two workout sessions before taking a break. Their coaches get no rest until Saturday. Jeff Lebby and staff are out recruiting Thursday and Friday and making the junior college and high school rounds. Five real games are giving Lebby a clearer idea of what else is needed to round out the standard signing class, as well as who to pursue when the portal opens in December. Bulldog baseball is well into fall ball with full reporting on Genespage.com. And tomorrow is media day for Sam Purcell's Lady Bulldogs on campus. Renovations to Humphrey Coliseum should be finished before both men and women tip off in November.

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These Bulldogs take their break while Jeff Lebby goes recruiting for Mississippi State's future

These Bulldogs take their break while Jeff Lebby goes recruiting for Mississippi State's future

The 2024 season pauses for Mississippi State's first open date. The Bulldogs had two practices and two workout sessions before taking a break. Their coaches get no rest until Saturday. Jeff Lebby and staff are out recruiting Thursday and Friday and making the junior college and high school rounds. Five real games are giving Lebby a clearer idea of what else is needed to round out the standard signing class, as well as who to pursue when the portal opens in December. Bulldog baseball is well into fall ball with full reporting on Genespage.com. And tomorrow is media day for Sam Purcell's Lady Bulldogs on campus. Renovations to Humphrey Coliseum should be finished before both men and women tip off in November.

Positive points from a Texas trip, and it's time for fall ball talk with the Diamond Dogs

Positive points from a Texas trip, and it's time for fall ball talk with the Diamond Dogs

The Bulldogs did not win at #1 Texas, as expected. They played to win which many did not expect. The effort given and energy shown reflect well on first-year Coach Jeff Lebby's rebuilding plans at Mississippi State. The Bulldogs will practice twice this open date week while their coaches hit the recruiting road. The Diamond Dogs are hard into fall baseball scrimmaging with plenty reporting on Genespage.com. Coach Chris Lemonis will meet with media to talk fall ball Tuesday.

Tuesday talk with Jordan Mosley; Diamond Dogs are scrimmaging and basketball ready for preseasoning

Tuesday talk with Jordan Mosley; Diamond Dogs are scrimmaging and basketball ready for preseasoning

Receiver Jordan Mosley talks Mississippi State's matchup with top-ranked Texas and working in a young quarterback. The Diamond Dogs are two scrimmages into fall baseball. And Chris Jans' basketball bunch is ready for real pre-season practicing.

A freshman in the Texas fire as Michael Van Buren gets the Mississippi State start

A freshman in the Texas fire as Michael Van Buren gets the Mississippi State start

Coach Jeff Lebby's choices are limited but he's firmly come down on starting Michael Van Buren as the Bulldogs visit top-ranked Texas. In his Monday press conference Lebby said the choice involves taking care of the football and making predictable outcomes. Second-year freshman Chris Parson is practicing same as ever and will have his own role this weekend and season. Injured senior Blake Shapen is already serving as volunteer coach to the younger quarterbacks, and weighing his future options. State will also be without four-game starting back Keyvone Lee for a while.

Mississippi State's rebuilding season has turned into a tear-down year. Three-straight losses with and now with the starting quarterback done, Jeff Lebby has choices to make. Stick with the most experienced Bulldogs against a brutal top-25 schedule? Begin an all-out youth movement despite said schedule? Or a mix of both approaches to get through 2024 while focusing on recruiting a new team for 2025?

The pressure is on both sidelines as Dogs host Gators; and some good news off the field for State football

The pressure is on both sidelines as Dogs host Gators; and some good news off the field for State football

Mississippi State and Florida both are desperate for a SEC win as 11:00am kickoff comes Saturday. The host Bulldogs can't afford another slow start but intend to set a tone and get into tempo after kickoff. Who is feeling more pressure is a fair question, but with a win State can at least go into their next two games with some positive sense. Bulldog basketball begins practicing next week and the schedule is nearly finalized for Chris Jans' third team. A record donation to Bulldog sports combined with some mid-week recruiting results are good news off the field. And, the 1974 Bulldogs, quite likely the transitional team of modern MSU history, is to be honored this weekend.

Lebby focus is "100% on us" before Bulldogs turn to SEC season opener

Lebby focus is "100% on us" before Bulldogs turn to SEC season opener

SEC season opens at Mississippi State and at last this weekend. Florida comes to campus for a 11:00am kickoff and with temperatures spiking for their program. But Coach Jeff Lebby's own focus is '100%' on fixing Bulldog issues exposed in consecutive non-league losses.

Bulldogs fade in Rockets' red glare, and here comes SEC season

Bulldogs fade in Rockets' red glare, and here comes SEC season

A whipping by Toledo reveals the dimensions of Jeff Lebby's first-year challenges at Mississippi State. And now comes SEC season as the Bulldogs host also-struggling Florida.

A look at Toledo and a talk with Bulldog wideout Jordan Mosley

A look at Toledo and a talk with Bulldog wideout Jordan Mosley

This Tuesday evening edition takes a look at Bulldog attitudes as they transition from a first loss to a second home game. Mississippi State hosts Toledo this Saturday evening with a clear forecast after mid-week weather moves through. Coach Jeff Lebby is looking for answers in the running game and the right combination of blockers. Most of all he wants an offense to convert third downs and keep scoring drives moving. The defense will likely still be down two linemen so younger big pups will get worked into action. Toledo has two wins over lightweights but is a veteran team with a long-time coach who will have the Rockets ready for a road trip South.

Monday Bulldog football report with Jeff Lebby: Toledo Week

Monday Bulldog football report with Jeff Lebby: Toledo Week

Jeff Lebby wants his team to learn one instant fact from a loss: that their coaches are the same in attitude and approach as after win. The Bulldogs lost at Arizona State after digging themselves in early and deep. A second half comeback flashed what the offense is capable of. But a reliable ground game is still needed. So is stopping the run game on defense and the loss featured by coach count 25 missed tackles and 250 yards after contact. Mississippi State's guest Toledo is a proud old program which will not be intimidated coming to a SEC campus. Weather is coming to Starkville mid-week but game day looks fine.

Bulldogs head west for a desert duel, and a flying start for Kevin Coleman

Bulldogs head west for a desert duel, and a flying start for Kevin Coleman

Jeff Lebby's attention to Bulldog detail means Mississippi State arrives in the Arizona desert this evening. Lebby's first road game as head coach is with Arizona State, and an evening kickoff in still-sizzling conditions. The Bulldogs have a day to acclimate and to go over all the scouting available on a Sun Devil squad that also has dipped deeply into the transfer portal. Speaking of transfers, receiver and punt return man Kevin Coleman made a flying start to his Bulldog career last Saturday and talks about it here.

Monday with Jeff Lebby: wrapping up an opening win and turning attention to Arizona State trip

Monday with Jeff Lebby: wrapping up an opening win and turning attention to Arizona State trip

His first win as head coach done, Jeff Lebby turns Bulldog attention to fixing flaws from the easy victory and preparing to step up in competition. Mississippi State is at Arizona State for the second week of the season. Lebby updates the short injury list. The Sun Devils made their own impressive start beating a sound Wyoming squad. State has to prepare physically for the trip to the desert. So the Bulldogs will leave Thursday and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate from now to kickoff.

Another day closer to Bulldog kickoff, and a talk with linebacker Stone Blanton

Another day closer to Bulldog kickoff, and a talk with linebacker Stone Blanton

Mississippi State is another day closer to kicking off the 2024 season. Even as his first team gets ready to play Coach Jeff Lebby is thinking of building future rosters that don't rely so heavily on transfers. But as Lebby said, without the transfer talent this debut season would be in serious shape. So it will be a balancing act for his recruiting plans from now on. Linebacker Stone Blanton speaks about the start of the season, returning to play for his home state team after two years at South Carolina, and what the Bulldog defense counts as success.

Another day closer to Bulldog kickoff, and a talk with quarterback Blake Shapen

Another day closer to Bulldog kickoff, and a talk with quarterback Blake Shapen

Mississippi State is one day closer to kicking off this 2024 season hosting Eastern Kentucky at 5:00 Saturday. A quartet of Bulldogs were available for post-practice interviews. Our talk today is with quarterback Blake Shapen who has stepped right in as the starter for Jeff Lebby's first Mississippi State offense.

Lebby wants to show a "team trending up" in Mississippi State's 2024 kickoff

Lebby wants to show a "team trending up" in Mississippi State's 2024 kickoff

Coach Jeff Lebby had news at his opening game-week press conference of the 2024 season. Mississippi State is without two expected starters and a rotation running back against Eastern Kentucky. The posted lineups are dominated by transfers. Lebby spoke of the matchup with FCS visitor Eastern Kentucky. But most of the talk was of his own team and his own ambitions for this season and his program long-term.

Wednesday preseason practice notes, an ambitious basketball schedule, and chatting with Bulldog Ethan Miner

Wednesday preseason practice notes, an ambitious basketball schedule, and chatting with Bulldog Ethan Miner

Mississippi State practiced Wednesday morning as the fall academic semester also began. Bulldog basketball is finalizing an ambitious winter schedule that signals confidence for a strong season. And, a post-practice chat with Ethan Miner, who will be snapping State into action this fall.

Tuesday preseason practice report, and interviews with linebacker John Lewis and lineman Albert Reese

Tuesday preseason practice report, and interviews with linebacker John Lewis and lineman Albert Reese

After a Saturday scrimmage and short recovery break the Bulldogs got back to work Tuesday. Coach Jeff Lebby's morning session saw the makings of a scout team as this week the offense and defense lineups get into real game preparations. Following practice linebacker John Lewis and offensive guard Albert Reese spoke to media.

Saturday scrimmage report with Jeff Lebby; two weeks and counting down

Saturday scrimmage report with Jeff Lebby; two weeks and counting down

Coach Jeff Lebby had lots to say about Saturday's second scrimmage of preseason. Maybe it was what the coach did not say this time which should have Mississippi State fans encouraged for kicking off the 2024 season in two weeks.

Jeff Lebby emphasizing attention to game weekend details, and talking with strength Coach Shaud Williams

Jeff Lebby emphasizing attention to game weekend details, and talking with strength Coach Shaud Williams

Coach Jeff Lebby has the Bulldogs in a walk-through sort of Friday session ahead of Saturday's key second scrimmage this preseason. A number of Mississippi State transfers are on college football awards watch lists. And, an interview with Coach Shaud Williams on the new strength, conditioning, and speed program for Bulldog football.

Bulldog preseason camp report and talking with lineman Jacoby Jackson

Bulldog preseason camp report and talking with lineman Jacoby Jackson

Coach Jeff Lebby resumed the preseason schedule with a Tuesday morning session. Mississippi State has three standard practices this week, a Friday walk-through, and a Saturday scrimmage on Scott Field. Investing a practice day in a walk-through session to get ready to scrimmage is another example of Lebby's attention to all the details of a season. Offensive lineman Jacoby Jackson came for a Tuesday interview which is provided here as well.