The college football season officially begins on Thursday, August 28, as Delta State hosts Central Missouri and Alcorn visits Northwestern Louisiana. There will be plenty of college football to view any night you want to watch until January 19, 2026. The last Saturday of August will be exciting as Southern Miss hosts Mississippi State, Ole Miss entertains Georgia State, Jackson State welcomes Hampton and Southern University visits Mississippi Valley. Belhaven will be the location for the “Riverside Rumble” against Millsaps on Thursday, September 4. The Mississippi community colleges will kick off on Thursday, August 28, as all 14 teams will see action.
Mississippi State is preparing for their season opener in Hattiesburg against Southern Mississippi. Coach Jeff Lebby and his Bulldogs will slowly shift more from preseason camp preparations into game preparation this week. Day by day, the Bulldogs are getting closer to ready.
Southern Miss coach Charlie Huff gave several of his first team players the day off in this past Saturday’s scrimmage. “We have been through a very physical and taxing camp, and to be healthy as we are is a good thing," said Huff. Starting quarterback Braylon Braxton took Saturday off as Landry Lyddy took most of the snaps as he threw for 210 yards and a touchdown.
Ole Miss has only four returning players who started more than half of the Rebels' games last fall. The Rebels welcomed 40 mid-year transfers in February, so many of the newcomers have been through both the spring and summer workouts. “The guys are doing well. We have a lot of new pieces, but I'm excited about this team,” said Kiffin.
Battle of New Orleans
Spencer Rattler led New Orleans to a touchdown and a two-point conversion in the final minutes as the Saints tied the Jacksonville Jaguars, 17-17, this past Sunday. Rattler finished the day 18-of-24 for 199 yards. Rattler’s competition for the starting quarterback position, second round draft selection Tyler Shough, hit 9-of-12 passes for 66 yards. Rattler goes into the third and final preseason home contest Saturday against Denver with a slight edge over Shough.
Former USM Golden Eagles Nick Mullens is listed as the backup to Jacksonville Jaguar quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Mullens was 14-of-17 passing for 112 yards versus the Saints to solidify his position.
Mississippians Shining
Jaxson Dart had another good outing despite being listed third on the New York Giants depth chart at quarterback. Dart was 14-of-17 for 137 yards, threw a TD pass and ran for a score in the Giants' win over the N.Y. Jets.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett was 28-of-40 passing with 324 yards and three scores. His final TD pass came with five seconds left in the contest and gave the Rams the one point win. Bennett played at Jones College in 2018 before returning to Athens and leading the Bulldogs to the back-to-back National Championships in 2021-22.
Former Brandon and Washington State quarterback Gardner Minshew looks to be the backup in Kansas City to Patrick Mahomes. Minshew looked sharp this weekend in the Chiefs' loss to Seattle, 33-16. He completed seven-of-nine passes for 70 yards and one touchdown. Minshew is coming off a broken collarbone last season playing for the Raiders.
Former Neshoba Central and Auburn football star Jarquez Hunter ran for 55 yards on 15 carries as the L.A. Rams defeated the L.A. Chargers, 23-22. Hunter looks to be the backup to Kyren Williams entering the regular season.
Oxford native and Ole Miss star J.J. Pegues made two tackles and recorded a sack in the Las Vegas Raiders' 22-19 loss to San Francisco. J.J. is presently listed third defensive tackle on the depth chart.
Former West Jones and Alabama football star Byron Young had two solo tackles in the Philadelphia Eagles' loss to Cleveland, 22-13. Young is second on the depth chart at defensive end.
