| Thursday, September 3, 2026 |
SPORTS
| Mississippi State makes upgrades to Davis Wade Stadium ahead of 2026 season | |
 | Mississippi State University (MSU) Athletics announced several changes that fans can expect to see during the 2026 football season at Davis Wade Stadium. According to the university, the changes are part of a $9 million investment by MSU for stadium and gameday enhancements as part of a multi-year approach. Upgrades include premium seating, retail, technology and in-stadium production, as well as Mississippi State's plans to retake the cowbell ringing world record on September 26, 2026, against Missouri. Fans can expect more fire and fireworks throughout the game, with expanded pregame, in-game and postgame pyrotechnics adding to the atmosphere on the biggest plays of the day. Mississippi State is adding laser effects for select SEC games this season, layering another visual element into the gameday atmosphere. Fans will notice additional speakers on the north concourse, refreshed branding throughout the main concourses, including at Gate D, and expanded chilled hydration access on the north, east and west sides of the stadium. West 100 seating also gets an upgrade with larger, outdoor-rated TVs. The ROTC cannon has been relocated to the southeast corner of Davis Wade Stadium for improved fan visibility. |
| Bulldogs Return To MSU Soccer Field Thursday Against Louisiana | |
 | Mississippi State will host its fourth and final member of the Sun Belt Conference's west division on Thursday when the Bulldogs welcome Louisiana to the MSU Soccer Field. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. CT on SEC Network+. Hailey Johnson has led the way for State (5-0-0), recording a point in all but one match this year and contributing an assist or scoring herself on more than a third of the Bulldogs' 15 goals this year. Behind her, Kati Anne Shepherd has produced a dynamic start to her freshman season, totaling eight points (3 G, 2 A) in her first five games. Meanwhile, Jenny Harrison has posted two shutouts and ranks fourth in the SEC with a 0.42 goals against average, but she has not been tested often as the Bulldogs are allowing just 4.4 shots per game this season. Only Auburn (3.2) is allowing fewer in the SEC this season. Louisiana comes into the match fresh off the best opening month in program history, and its 18 goals lead the Sun Belt. Last time out, the Ragin' Cajuns (4-1-1) scored four times in a 10-minute span. The Bulldogs host Charlotte on Sunday for Senior Day. Kickoff on SEC Network+ is scheduled for 1 p.m. with senior ceremonies beginning at 12:45 p.m. |
| Volleyball Makes Home Debut In Big Ten x SEC Challenge | |
| Mississippi State volleyball will welcome a pair of foes from the Big Ten to the Newell-Grissom Building for their first home matches of the regular season, as the Bulldogs are set to take on Iowa on Thursday and Northwestern on Friday. Iowa enters the Big Ten x SEC Challenge on a three-game winning streak. The Hawkeyes are led by Jim Barnes, who is in his 30th season as a head coach and entering his fifth at Iowa. Northwestern picked up their first victory in their last match against Georgetown, 3-0. Tim Nollan enters his third season as the Wildcats head coach. Iowa and Mississippi State will be playing each other for the first time ever. Northwestern and Mississippi State have faced off once, with the last match seeing a 3-1 Wildcat victory on September 1, 2001. |
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