College: Mississippi State University (MSU, Mississippi State)
Conference: Southeastern Conference (Western Division)
Stadium: Davis Wade Stadium (capacity 60,311)
Head Coach: Jeff Lebby (2024-present)
2023 Season Record: 5-7
Legendary Alumni: Walt Harris, Eric Moulds, Joe Fortunato, Kent Hull
Fight Song: “Hail State”
National Championships: 1 unclaimed (1940)
The Mississippi State Bulldogs have never been a powerhouse of American college football, but, like the tough looking canines that give them their name, they have managed to stay in the fight for a very long time. Founded in 1895, the team was first known as the Maroons (still their team color) but soon acquired the Bulldogs nickname, officially adopting it in 1960. The team took on an actual bulldog known as Bully as their mascot in those days, who has been replaced by successors ever since (Bully XXII is the current reigning mascot). The first Bully is lovingly, if somewhat ghoulishly, buried under the 50-yard line at Davis Wade Stadium. On the field, the Bulldogs often finish around the middle of their conference, having won just once in 1941, though the team did manage a divisional title in 1998. The Bulldogs have a better record in bowl games, at 15-11, with victories in the Sun Bowl, Liberty Bowl, and Gator Bowl to their name. Any visitor to Davis Wade Stadium will be blown away by the passion of local fans, known for their love of tailgating under the tents of the Junction in the buildup and then filling the air with the clangs of a thousand cowbells in the stadium (legend has it that this tradition stems back to a cow who actually wandered onto the field long ago during a glorious victory over arch-rivals Ole Miss. Fans come decked out in the school colors of maroon and white, belting out the strains of “Hail State” along with the marching band (or dance along to the less traditional but no less apt rap classic “Who Let the Dawgs Out”) as they try to inspire their Bulldogs on to victory.
Without any doubt at all, the biggest day of the year on every Mississippi State Bulldogs fan’s calendar is the annual matchup against their state rivals, the Ole Miss Rebels. Known as the Egg Cup or Battle for the Golden Egg, this game dates all the way back to 1901 and has been played every season since 1944, with Ole Miss leading the all-time series with a record of 65-46-6. Games in recent seasons have been very close, with 2022 being won 24-22 by the Bulldogs and 2023 taken 17-7 by the Rebels. The Bulldogs also have long-standing rivalries with the LSU Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide, both teams located in neighboring states.
Despite having a huge stadium in a relatively small town, the passion for the Bulldogs football team is such among students, alumni, and the general public that fans flock from all over Mississippi and even further afield to pack the stands. This makes for a fantastic and memorable experience, but it can render tickets tricky to get your hands on, especially when it comes to Bowl games, championship deciders, or games involving rivalries (as listed above). Trust TicketX as your one-stop shop for the most affordable tickets to Mississippi State Bulldogs football games. Our handy seating chart can help you find seats that match your price range and preferences.
Subscribe now for exclusive deals on the hottest event tickets and amazing discount coupons!
By subscribing, you are agreeing to our terms of use and acknowledging our privacy policy.