Football season will be back before you know it, and to give fans a teaser of the work being done in Starkville, Mississippi State will be holding a free spring scrimmage at Davis Wade Stadium.
Head coach Jeff Lebby and the Bulldogs will take the field at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 11, to showcase their early preparations for the 2026-27 campaign. The scrimmage will feature extended live action with the team competing in a full-squad setting. A traditional game format will not be used as no score will be kept and teams will not be split. The scrimmage will not be televised.
Following the scrimmage, which will run 100-plus plays, fans will have the opportunity to interact with Mississippi State players, including photo and autograph opportunities, at a post-scrimmage fan event.
“We are excited to welcome our fans back to Davis Wade Stadium this spring and give them an early look at our team,” Mississippi State athletic director Zac Selmon said. “This is a great opportunity for our Bulldog Family to connect with our student-athletes, experience our program up close, and be part of a full day of competition across our campus.”
Mississippi State opened spring practice in mid-March and will conclude its four-week schedule the week of April 13. The current roster, like most teams across the nation, features a blend of returners and transfer acquisitions. Notable returners include quarterback Kamario Taylor, running back Fluff Bothwell, wideout Anthony Evans III, and defensive back Kelley Jones. Notable portal gets include wideout Marquis Johnson (Missouri) and defensive tackle Dealyn Evans (Texas A&M)
“We’re really excited about the talent we retained and added to the roster this past offseason, along with the staff we’ve brought together, and this is a great opportunity to share that with our fans,” Lebby said. “In a time when opportunities like this are becoming more limited, it means a lot to open our doors and give the Bulldog family a chance to watch us work and connect with our players. We’re grateful for the support we’ve received and can’t wait to have everyone back in Davis Wade this spring.”
The April 11 scrimmage is part of a full day of action in Starkville. The No. 12 Mississippi State softball team will host No. 10 Arkansas at 2 p.m. at Nusz Park, and the No. 6 Diamond Dawgs will face No. 22 Tennessee at 6 p.m. in game two of their SEC series at Dudy Noble Field.