2020 SEASON REVIEW RESULTS MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS Overall: 4-7 | H: 2-3 | A: 1-4 | N: 1-0 SEPTEMBER (1-0) 4-7 (3-7 SEC) 26 at No. 6/5 LSU CBS 21,124 W, 44-34 2020 ARMED FORCES BOWL CHAMPIONS OCTOBER (0-4) 3 Arkansas SECN Alt. 13,564 L, 14-21 QUICK HITS 10 at Kentucky SECN 12,000 L, 2-24 17 No. 11/11 Texas A&M ESPN 13,142 L, 14-28 • Mississippi State recorded its first bowl victory since the 2017 TaxSlayer Bowl (31-27 vs. Louisville) and improved its all-time 31 at No. 2/2 Alabama ESPN 19,424 L, 0-41 bowl record to 14-10. The Bulldogs have played in a bowl game in 11 consecutive years, with a 7-4 bowl record in that span. NOVEMBER (1-2) 7 Vanderbilt SECN 12,888 W, 24-17 • MSU claimed its first win over a ranked opponent in a bowl game since 1940 when State defeated then-No. 13 Georgetown, 14-7. 14 No. 24/21 Auburn -- Postponed -- Mike Leach is also the first head coach in MSU history to win a bowl game in his first year leading the program. 21 at No. 13/11 Georgia SECN 20,524 L, 24-31 28 at Ole Miss SECN 16,218 L, 24-31 • Leach has now led his squads to 17 bowl games across his 19 seasons as a head coach with an 8-8 record in those games. DECEMBER (2-1) • The 2020 season saw MSU claim victories over multiple AP-ranked opponents away from home for the first time since 1980. State 5 Missouri -- Postponed -- defeated No. 6 LSU, 44-34, in Baton Rouge to open the season and No. 22 Tulsa, 28-26, in a neutral matchup at the Armed Forces 12 Auburn SECN 12,986 L, 10-24 Bowl. In 1980, the Bulldogs toppled No. 18 Miami (Fla.) on the road, 34-31, before defeating No. 1 Alabama, 6-3, on a neutral field. 19 Missouri SECN Alt. 11,748 W, 51-32 31 vs. Tulsa (Fort Worth) ESPN 9,000 W, 28-26 • With its 51-32 victory against Missouri on Dec. 19, Mississippi State has now scored 50+ points in at least one game in 10 consecutive seasons. The 51 points were MSU’s most in a game since the Bulldogs’ 54-24 victory at Arkansas on Nov. 2, 2019. AWARDS / HONORS • WR Jaden Walley and DB Emmanuel Forbes marked Mississippi State's first duo in program history to earn Freshman TEAM FWAA National Team of the Week (Sept. 27) All-American accolades in the same season. MSU has now seen seven student-athletes earn Freshman All-America honors since 2012, including four members of the 2020 team (DB Martin Emerson, 2019; K Jace Christmann, 2017). ZACH ARNETT, DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR Broyles Award Nominee • Walley became the first true freshman to lead MSU in receiving yardage since Chad Bumphis (375) in 2009, and his 718 yards are CHARLES CROSS, OL an MSU freshman record. He ranked third among all FBS freshmen. Freshman All-SEC K.J. COSTELLO, QB • Forbes returned three interceptions for touchdowns in his freshman season and is already tied for State's career record with Maxwell Award Preseason Watch List Johnthan Banks (2009-12), Corey Broomfield (2009-12) and Derek Pegues (2005-08). Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Preseason Watch List William V. Campbell Trophy Semifinalist • RB Jo’quavious Marks (60), Walley (52), WR Osirus Mitchell (47) and WR Austin Williams (43) make MSU the East-West Shrine Bowl Invitee Walter Camp FBS National Offensive Player of the Week (Week 1) only program in the country to boast four players with 40 or more receptions this season. Auburn and No. 2 Clemson are the only SEC Offensive Player of the Week (Week 1) programs with three such receivers. Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award Great 8 (Week 1) Manning Award Stars of the Week (Week 1) • This year marked just the third season in MSU history where multiple players caught 50+ passes in the same year (2015 - Fred Ross Manning Award National Quarterback of the Week (Week 1) and De'Runnya Wilson, 1969 - Sammy Milner and David Smith). MARTIN EMERSON, DB Pro Football Focus All-American • 26 Bulldogs have made their first career start this year, tied for the FBS lead. Just over 50 percent of State's snaps have been EMMANUEL FORBES, DB taken by first-time starters this year. 247Sports True Freshman All-American FWAA Freshman All-American Watch List • LB Erroll Thompson became the 16th Bulldog in program history to record 300 career tackles and the first to do so since Mario Freshman All-SEC Haggan (1999-2002, 359). He finished his career with 313 tackles and set a career high with 96 stops in 2020. Phil Steele Second Team All-SEC Associated Press All-Bowl Team • Mississippi State was one of eight Power Five teams in the nation with more than 1,500 yards after catch this season. The Bulldogs OSIRUS MITCHELL, WR ranked third in the nation averaging 180.0 yards after catch per game. East-West Shrine Bowl Invitee WILL ROGERS, QB NUMBERS TO KNOW FWAA Freshman All-American Watch List BRANDON RUIZ, K Number of Mississippi State's touchdowns Number of Mississippi State passing and Lou Groza Award Stars of the Week (Week 1) scored by true freshman in 2020. The Bulldogs receiving records broken by the Bulldogs MARQUISS SPENCER, DE 14 scored 29 total touchdowns on the year. 21 in 2020. SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week (Week 7) East-West Shrine Bowl Invitee Mississippi State is the only program in the DB Emmanuel Forbes returned three ERROLL THOMPSON, LB country to have four pass catchers with 40 or interceptions for touchdowns to lead the FBS East-West Shrine Bowl Invitee Phil Steele Third Team All-SEC 40 more receptions. 3 and his five total interceptions led the SEC. JADEN WALLEY, WR The Athletic Second Team Freshman All-American State was one of six teams in the FBS with four FWAA Freshman All-American Watch List Consecutive seasons with a bowl berth for MSU. Freshman All-SEC 11 6 defensive touchdowns in 2020 (3 INT, 1FR). Phil Steele Fourth Team All-SEC First Season MIKE LEACH @Coach_Leach 34TH HEAD FOOTBALL COACH AT MISSISSIPPI STATE 2018 & 2008 NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR Mike Leach, a two-time national coach of the year, three-time The architect of the most prolific passing offense in the country, conference coach of the year and the mastermind behind the NCAA Leach received three national coach of the year awards in 2008 - the record-setting “Air Raid” offense, was tabbed Mississippi State’s 34th Woody Hayes Award, Howie Long/Fieldturf Coach of the Year and George head football coach on January 9, 2020. Munger Award. Leach’s offense captured six NCAA passing titles and The accomplishments for Leach in his 19th year as a head coach are three total offense titles during his 10 seasons in Lubbock. long and distinguished. He has compiled a 143-97 (.596) record, guided Leach led Texas Tech to one of the most memorable seasons in his squads to 17 bowl games, produced seven seasons of at least nine school history in 2008 as the team set a program record with 11 regular- victories, captured two division titles, become the winningest coach season wins en route to an 11-2 record. The win total tied the mark, in Texas Tech history and set school records for bowl appearances at set previously by the 1953 and 1973 Red Raider squads. Numerous both Texas Tech (10) and Washington State (6). During 10 of those 18 accolades poured in from across the country as an unprecedented four seasons, Leach’s passing attack led the FBS – six at Texas Tech and four players earned first-team All-America status, in addition to Leach’s at Washington State. three coach of the year honors. Harrell, offensive tackle Rylan Reed Of the 50 most productive passing yardage seasons in FBS history, and offensive guard Brandon Carter each garnered first-team honors, 11 came from quarterbacks coached by Leach since his hiring as head while wide receiver Michael Crabtree was honored as a unanimous All- coach at Texas Tech in 2000. That includes three seasons by Graham American for the second-straight season. Harrell (2006-08), two by Luke Falk (2015-16), one by Gardner Mishew II A total of 18 players were drafted at Texas Tech under Leach’s watch THE LEACH FILE (2018) and one by Anthony Gordon (2019). and 21 others signed free agent contracts. In the spring of 2009, four Leach, 58, arrives in Starkville after eight seasons at the helm at players were selected among the first four rounds of the NFL Draft, Hometown: Cody, Wyoming Washington State where he compiled a 55-47 (.539) record and was marking the most successful draft for Texas Tech in the Leach era. The Education: BYU, 1983 (Bachelor’s); Pepperdine, 1986 (J.D.); named the 2018 American Football Coaches Association National Coach program made strides academically as well under Leach. During his 10 U.S. Sports Academy, 1988 (Master’s) Wife: Sharon of the Year and two-time Pac-12 Coach of the Year (2015, 2018). Leach years, Texas Tech was recognized as one of the nation’s top institutions Children: Janeen, Kim, Cody and Kiersten spearheaded WSU to a school-record six bowl appearances and became for consistently being above a 70 percent graduation rate, according to Birthday: March 9, 1961 the first coach in school history to lead the Cougars to five consecutive the AFCA.