http://bulldawgjunction.com/forums/blog.php BullDawgJunction.com is your source for Mississippi State football, basketball and recruiting news. en Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:29:09 GMT vBulletin 60 http://bulldawgjunction.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg http://bulldawgjunction.com/forums/blog.php http://bulldawgjunction.com/forums/blog.php?b=167 Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:36:57 GMT Mississippi State has been in search of a defensive coordinator for a couple of weeks, since the departure of Carl Torbush. Torbush left the... Mississippi State has been in search of a defensive coordinator for a couple of weeks, since the departure of Carl Torbush.

Torbush left the Bulldogs for Kansas after just one season. Since that time the MSU staff has been rather tight lipped as far as candidates for his replacement.

Willie Martinez is the only coach who is known to have had a conversation and a face-to-face meeting with Coach Mullen. It is thought an official offer has been made by the Bulldogs, but the hang up in this situation is Florida is bidding for his services as well.

Sources close to the Gators continue to tell BDJ that Martinez is in the running for a position coaching slot. And while a decision hasn't been made the clocking ticking. Florida hopes to have everything in place by next Wednesday.

So, at the moment there no news on hiring, but at least there is now a time frame...or maybe I should say a potential time frame. ]]> Michael Wardlaw http://bulldawgjunction.com/forums/blog.php?b=167 http://bulldawgjunction.com/forums/blog.php?b=166 Mon, 25 May 2009 14:30:24 GMT A month ago my wife and I made the trek to Destin for a week of rest, relaxation, and of course good food. However, I knew that I had missed the... A month ago my wife and I made the trek to Destin for a week of rest, relaxation, and of course good food. However, I knew that I had missed the mark. I was simply in Destin a month too soon. Sure, it was my anniversary and we did have a grand time but the real entertainment begins this week.

I’m not kidding…there promises to be good stuff coming from the beaches and backrooms of Destin this week.

Picture this, you’re in the lobby of the San Destin Resort where you find Urban Meyer, Mark Richt, the “Ol’ ball Coach, and other SEC coaches gathered around sharing stories and carrying on when Lane Kiffin enters the room. You can practically hear the scratch on the record as the music stops.

Yes, the SEC meetings are this week and for the first time Coach Kiffin will meet face-to-face many of the coaches he has made disparaging comments about in recent weeks / months.

Don’t for a second think his comments have gone unnoticed or that they will all “play nice” in Destin this week. I’m told Kiffin’s comments have caused enough of a stir that Mike Slive, SEC Commissioner, has added an SEC Code of Conduct lecture to the agenda in regards to how coaches should act, bringing a familiar phrase to mind, “why can’t we all just get along?”

You have to admit, like me, you would like to be in the room when Steve Spurrier and Lane Kiffin meet for the first time this week. ]]> Michael Wardlaw http://bulldawgjunction.com/forums/blog.php?b=166 http://bulldawgjunction.com/forums/blog.php?b=165 Thu, 07 May 2009 21:02:40 GMT Focus of Cardinals first baseman Pujols: Higher power JUPITER, Fla. - Albert Pujols, a two-time National League MVP, is the only baseball player in... Focus of Cardinals first baseman Pujols: Higher power

JUPITER, Fla. - Albert Pujols, a two-time National League MVP, is the only baseball player in history to hit 30-plus home runs in each of his first eight seasons. He goes to church, repeatedly mentions his devotion to God and raises money for children with Down syndrome in the USA and mission trips to help the poor in his native Dominican Republic.

He has a good start on a Hall of Fame résumé at a time when baseball's trust with the public has been compromised. Superstars Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Alex Rodriguez have fallen from grace because of links to banned substances, and the throne of baseball's next great hero is there for the taking.



Pujols' combination of on-field dominance and humanitarian work would seem to make him a natural candidate. Yet in this time of greater scrutiny of superstars, he says he's concerned only with getting the St. Louis Cardinals to the World Series and using his position to empower people who are less fortunate.

"I don't judge. Only God can judge," says Pujols, a first baseman. "I've always had the responsibility to God to be a role model, so it's not just now. I play to represent God, something bigger than baseball. This is not about me. I leave everything up to God."



Pujols, 29, is a legend known as El Hombre in St. Louis, a baseball-crazy city that had its heart broken by Mark McGwire, who hit a record 70 home runs for the Cardinals in 1998 and then, in the spring of 2005, raised suspicions of his own steroid use with his nebulous testimony before a congressional committee.

In eight seasons with the Cardinals, Pujols has hit .334 with 319 home runs and 977 RBI. He's a seven-time All-Star who has won a batting title, a Gold Glove and four Silver Sluggers. This season he will enter the sixth year of a seven-year, $100 million contract.

Last season he won his second NL MVP despite an injured right elbow that caused numbness in his pinkie and ring fingers and required offseason surgery. He hit .357 with 37 home runs and 116 RBI.

In seven seasons he has served two stints on the disabled list (for a 2006 side muscle injury and a 2008 calf injury) and never hit fewer than 32 homers or driven in fewer than 103 runs.



Pujols has never tested positive for steroids nor been ensnared in any report or investigation that felled other players; his name did not appear in the 2007 Mitchell Report on performance-enhancing drug use in baseball.

Yet more than two years after the Mitchell Report rocked baseball, Pujols still is steamed that he and his son, A.J., then 6, watched an erroneous report from a St. Louis TV station that claimed he had been named in the report hours before its release.

The episode made him wary of the news media, creating a barrier he has removed this spring, when he has agreed to at least two extensive interviews with national outlets.

"We switched it off because it was a lie," says Pujols, a father of three. "It was a slap in the face. They can ruin a reputation. My son looked at me with his innocent face and said, 'Daddy, why did they say it?' It was tough. It's the dark cloud we're under. But it's not true, and I want to make the game my son loves so much better."



'A 10 in every department'

Pujols, an only child, was raised in the Dominican Republic by various family members, mainly his grandparents, Bienvenido (Papa) and America, after his parents divorced when he was 3. Pujols doesn't like talking about steroids. He knows not everyone will believe him when he says he does not use performance-enhancing drugs and cringes at the thought of hurting his family.

"They would be embarrassed, disappointed, because it would be stupid," he says. "That's not the way I grew up. Papa would give me a whoopin.' I can't make you believe what I stand for. I can only tell you my story."

It begins as a poor boy playing baseball with a lime on the streets of Santo Domingo and memorizing the lineups of the Atlanta Braves in the 1990s.

"They had (Fred) McGriff, Terry Pendleton, Alejandro Pena, (David) Justice and all that pitching," Pujols says. "They were the team to beat."

Pujols' story continues with his move to Kansas City with America and dad when Pujols was 16. It's about having to learn English in high school and going to junior college near Kansas City to play baseball and study engineering.

It's about meeting his future wife, Deidre, in 1998. She brought him to church, the steppingstone for a life-altering experience that framed much of what he believes: He knew baseball was hard work, but he had no idea that God's gift of eternal life was free.

He and Deidre set up the Pujols Family Foundation in 2005.

"As he gets older, he realizes how important that is," Deidre says. "He hungers to utilize his resources to empower others. He believes that if God is going to promise salvation as a free gift, he's going to do what God requires. It is that simple. That's the kind of person he is. That's what makes him special."



Cardinals manager Tony La Russa says Pujols is a tireless worker. "He's a 10 in every department. Albert is competitive and smart. He has a tremendous amount of preparation and a strong religious faith. He doesn't want to dishonor any of those qualities."

Statistically, he has not. His average season after eight years in the big leagues: a .334 average, 42 homers and 128 RBI.

"He is the best hitter in both leagues," Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Manny Ramirez says. "He hits for average. How can you get better than hitting .340 and 40 home runs every year? And don't forget, he's a great first baseman."



'His heart gets more tender'

His childhood in the Dominican shaped his notion of community and sacrifice.

Pujols grew up in several houses, some with dirt floors and no plumbing. He had to haul water - 2 gallons in each hand - to the house so his grandmother could cook and wash.

At one point he lived in a three-bedroom home that housed 12 people, including his dad, grandparents, uncle, aunts and cousins. Pujols' dad was a painter and softball pitcher who was hired to pitch for multiple teams.

"My dad always supported me," Pujols says, even if it meant selling items such as necklaces and fans at the pawn shop to pay for food. "Sometimes we didn't have anything to eat for breakfast, but if we could eat lunch and dinner, we weren't poor."

He maintains family ties, visiting his grandmother, now in Miami, where she cooks him his favorites, including a stew with vegetables, plantains and seven types of meat.



The foundation also allows Pujols to remain connected to home. At the last World Series, he received the Roberto Clemente Award, given by Major League Baseball to a player who exemplifies the Hall of Famer's selfless work. Clemente died in a 1972 plane crash while delivering relief supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

Most award winners are honored after a decade's worth of work, and three of the previous five winners were 40 or older. Pujols won the award even though he started his foundation in 2005. Then 28, he was the second-youngest winner.

Pujols has an 11-year-old daughter, Isabella, with Down syndrome, and his work in the USA is geared toward helping other special-needs children. The foundation has programs such as proms, mother-daughter teas, bowling outings and bicycling camps. The prom is Pujols' favorite event. "He cuts up the rug and dances with every (child)," Deidre says.

The foundation also pays for annual mission trips to take dentists, pediatricians and optometrists to the Dominican Republic, a journey Pujols always makes.



A typical trip transports 19 people at a cost of between $30,000 and $50,000 for a week. After the Cardinals won the 2006 World Series, Pujols skipped the trip to the White House as well as an invitation to play in Michael Jordan's golf tournament in the Bahamas to be with pediatric dentists seeing 815 kids.

That winter Pujols paid $20,000 to buy two portable dental units and another $60,000 to buy a new van for an orphanage, said Homer Sedighi, a pediatric dentist from St. Louis who accompanied Pujols on the trip.

"He loaded 20 suitcases of equipment and supplies in our minivan," Sedighi says. "I wanted to help, but he said, 'You do the doctoring. I don't want anything to happen to your fingers.' "

Pujols' pride in his work is evident. In 2006, the year the Cardinals won the World Series, he finished second in NL MVP voting to the Philadelphia Phillies' Ryan Howard and voiced his concern that a player from a non-playoff club won the award. The tables were turned last season, when Pujols - whose club missed the playoffs - edged Howard.



But there is no tension among the stars, says Howard, a St. Louis native. They live within a few minutes' drive of each other, have trained together in past offseasons and, Howard says, hope to collaborate on charity work in the future.

"I think Albert has a very big heart and he's not afraid to show that," Howard says. "He is a pretty good ambassador for the game."

Deidre says her husband gets emotional when he hauls in a new bed for a needy mother and realizes how much it means to her. "His heart gets more tender. A woman is so happy, she's crying on his shoulder. It completes him."

More, Pujols says, than any acclamation ever could.

"I don't do this because I want to hear, 'There goes a good guy,' " he says. "I want to help people. I want to set an example, be obedient to God. I want to be remembered for what I do away from the field rather than on." ]]> bhamdawgfan http://bulldawgjunction.com/forums/blog.php?b=165 http://bulldawgjunction.com/forums/blog.php?b=164 Thu, 07 May 2009 16:00:21 GMT Yesterday the signing of John Riek became official as Mississippi State received the necessary paperwork. As you might imagine the 7-2 Sudanese... Yesterday the signing of John Riek became official as Mississippi State received the necessary paperwork. As you might imagine the 7-2 Sudanese center doesn't speak English on a high level, so we turned to Dan Tierney the PR Director for IMG to help with getting Riek's thoughts on joining the Bulldogs.

Here is what he had to say...

On Mississippi State… “It’s just a great fit for me. They have everything I need for my physical and basketball training, and they develop big men well.”

On his visit… “All of the coaches were around, so that showed me something. The other foreign kids really seem to like it there, and there of lots of other African students, so I’m excited.”

On his knee… “It’s a little better than 50 percent, I guess. I can run and work out and am trying to play 5-on-5 by September.”

On comparisons of his game.. “I want to be like Mutombo and maybe Bynum from the Lakers. I want to block shots and dunk a lot, but always keep smiling.”

On his immediate future… “I’m planning on going to Starkville in June to train and continue rehab on my knee. I’m excited to go there soon.”

After the interview was completed Riek return to the office to make sure State fans were aware of one key piece of information...

“I’m really looking forward to beating Florida and Kentucky a lot.”

While Riek may be a ways away from actually setting foot on the basketball court with the Bulldogs...make no mistake about it...this young man with a great personality and tons of upside is going to be a great addition to State's team. ]]> Michael Wardlaw http://bulldawgjunction.com/forums/blog.php?b=164 http://bulldawgjunction.com/forums/blog.php?b=163 Wed, 06 May 2009 21:45:57 GMT Today the APR (Academic Progress Rate) has been released by the NCAA. As far as the Bulldogs are concerned things are in great shape as MSU doesn't have a program in danger of receiving sanctions from the governing body. That's all well and good but how do you actually come up with the APR?

Honestly, to figure out the APR is a lot like Chinese arithmetic, highly confusing.

Never the less I'll attempt to explain how this relates to MSU.

State earns a "point" for each player who is eligible and the beginning and end of a semester. If a player is eligible at the beginning and end of both semesters in an academic year they would earn four "points", referred to as a 4-for-4.

Now, if a player is eligible in the fall but not in the spring that player would receive two points of 2-for-4.

So when looking at basketball's 13 allowed scholarships a perfect score is 52 (13 X 4). If two players were 2-for-4 then it would work like this...

11 eligible players - (11X4) 44 points
2 ineligible players - (2X2) 4 points
48 of a possible 52 or .923 percent or 923 points.

State's multi year APR in basketball is 913 which is an average over the past four academic years (04/05 - 07/08).

This formula is applied in all sports across the board.

I hope that helps you better understand how they arrive at the numbers.
]]> Michael Wardlaw http://bulldawgjunction.com/forums/blog.php?b=163 http://bulldawgjunction.com/forums/blog.php?b=162 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:14:17 GMT It sure feels good to be back in Starkville. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed my time in Destin, there's just something inherently good about being in Starkville.

I would like to thank everyone who dropped an email of congratulations on surviving my first year of marriage. I'm sure there were moments where Jenn wanted to put me on the couch or out of the house...but against her better judgment I'm still hanging around. Whew!!!

Now, back to the Bulldogs...

I was only gone a week but it seems like so many things happened in my absence. Jarvis Varnado dropped his name in the hat (no real surprise), Renaldo decides he likes what the Bulldogs are saying, and BDJ.com picked up 43 new members. I'd say that is a pretty good week.

Later today Paul will have a story laying out the next few weeks for Varnado. Where he plans to go and when he actually turned in his papers. Paul is also visiting with Greg Byrne this morning to bring everyone up to speed on the world of Mississippi State's AD.

I on the other hand will pick back up with my visits with the MSU football coaching staff. Today we will talk QBs with Coach Koenning...

I will also roll out the next step in the Assault on 500. We will get 500 new members before football season begins... and you guys are the one who will benefit from good deals and honest, accurate coverage.

Ok, time for me to get back to it... ]]> Michael Wardlaw http://bulldawgjunction.com/forums/blog.php?b=162 http://bulldawgjunction.com/forums/blog.php?b=161 Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:24:28 GMT The excitement is back for the Bulldogs!

Dan Mullen and Mississippi State football has created a buzz on campus that hasn't been surrounding Bulldog football since the late 90's. He hasn't coached a game yet, but that doesn't stop fans from jumping on the bandwagon for a good seat on what promises to be a fun ride.

You can't deny it. When 31,000 plus show up for a spring game at Mississippi State... something is going on ... and it is BIG!

Typically, when State fans are called they show up in force. A couple of season ago the NCAA gave MSU the 11:00 game for Super Regional action and what happen... record crowds. Fans were asked to set a record in the Liberty Bowl, at new benchmark was set. Truthfully there are many examples of State fans showing up to support their team when called upon...this weekend was no different.

I thought the goal set by the AD of 40,000 was lofty but they nearly pulled it off and if weather had been on State's side they might have.

I tip my cap to the fans for showing up and supporting the team when called upon. I also give a round applause to the University staff for making the weekend a success. The leadership on campus has a vision for Mississippi State and they are willing to take advantage of the momentum that's on campus right now. That hasn't always been the case.

So, to everyone.. thank you!

Baseball ...
I come away from the weekend proud of the Diamond Dawgs. No, they didn't win the series, but they fought with everything they had to give themselves a chance. Down 11 runs in the ninth on Sunday they battled and battled. Their emotion all weekend was tremendous. In the end... emotion doesn't win ballgames... but they are giving MSU all they have because they have pride in wearing Maroon & White.

Football...
"Spread the Fun" was the theme of the weekend and that is exactly what they did. The new look Bulldogs took the field Saturday and gave fans a reason to be hopeful of what lies ahead. Player's made plays and coaches were creative. At the end of the day that is all that anyone was looking for.

Most realize this is a building process and that it may take time to get things fully functioning. However, Saturday may have ignited a feeling that things are definitely moving in the right direction.

So congratulations to the Bulldogs on a truly super weekend.
]]> Michael Wardlaw http://bulldawgjunction.com/forums/blog.php?b=161 http://bulldawgjunction.com/forums/blog.php?b=160 Sat, 18 Apr 2009 20:06:48 GMT Mississippi State and Kentucky are locked in a 2-2 pitchers duel heading into the top of the seventh. Nick Routt has allowed two runs (1 earned) on... Mississippi State and Kentucky are locked in a 2-2 pitchers duel heading into the top of the seventh.

Nick Routt has allowed two runs (1 earned) on four hits while striking out eight Wildcats.

Chris Russin has also allowed two runs on fours hits with seven Ks on the afternoon.

On a side note...10210 fans on hand - 22nd largest in MSU baseball history. ]]> Michael Wardlaw http://bulldawgjunction.com/forums/blog.php?b=160 http://bulldawgjunction.com/forums/blog.php?b=159 Sat, 18 Apr 2009 17:15:40 GMT Baseball is a funny game, but for the Bulldogs it isn't a laughing matter at the moment.

At the midpoint of the SEC season pitching has let the Bulldogs down time and time again. The offense has been solid for the most part. After all they lead many offensive categories in the SEC. However, last night the pitchers pitched about as well as they are capable of.

Tyler Whitney gave State a chance by holding UK scoreless into the seventh. But the Bulldogs couldn't find the key hit to break the game open and that allowed the Wildcats to scratch their way back into the contest.

I know the bullpen allowed three runs once Whitney was chased from the game...but it never should have reached that point.

The Bulldogs left 10 runners on base and struck out 14 times... that was the story of the game.

Coach Cohen has said many times, and I agree, that this team needs to be hitting on all cylinders in order to compete in this league. That means it takes pitching and hitting to get wins and that isn't happening often enough for the Diamond Dawgs at the moment.

However, today is a new day and Nick Routt is on the mound going for his league-best fifth consecutive complete game. State will have a chance if Routt continues his recent trend...it is simply up to the offense to find a way to get things done.

As I type the Bulldogs are taking the field for pregame infield...here's to a better day for the Bulldogs. ]]> Michael Wardlaw http://bulldawgjunction.com/forums/blog.php?b=159 http://bulldawgjunction.com/forums/blog.php?b=158 Sun, 15 Mar 2009 15:33:36 GMT Many State fans have unexpected plans on their schedules this Sunday morning. Give up, go to church (hope the pastor isn't long winded), get in front of the television to watch the Bulldogs finish what they started on Thursday... four wins in four days. Surprised, you bet... but not the Bulldogs, they knew what was in their future.

Each week, on Monday, select basketball players visit with the media to talk about the upcoming week. Two weeks ago, following a loss to Auburn, a collection of scribes visited with Phil Turner, among others, who said there was something special in store for the Bulldogs. He didn't know what it was but he just couldn't help but believe there was something special going to happen for this team.

Of course you expect players to have an optimistic outlook when talking about their season. But you could tell that Turner meant what he was saying... not just telling the media what they wanted to hear.

This past Monday, with the recorders turned off, Coach Stansbury posed a question to the media.

"Tell me who the best four teams are going into the SEC tournament," requested Stansbury.

Before anyone could formulate an answer he said, "Let me help you. LSU, Tennessee, Auburn, and Mississippi State."

At the time everyone felt you could make a case for the Bulldogs but a case could also be made for South Carolina.

Yesterday Stansbury's claim was proven to be correct as the final four in the SEC Tournament were Tennessee vs Auburn and LSU vs MSU.

Today is Phil Turner's turn to be correct by finding that something special at the end of the season. ]]> Michael Wardlaw http://bulldawgjunction.com/forums/blog.php?b=158 http://bulldawgjunction.com/forums/blog.php?b=157 Sun, 15 Mar 2009 15:33:05 GMT Many State fans have unexpected plans on their schedules this Sunday morning. Give up, go to church (hope the pastor isn't long winded), get in front of the television to watch the Bulldogs finish what they started on Thursday... four wins in four days. Surprised, you bet... but not the Bulldogs, they knew what was in their future.

Each week, on Monday, select basketball players visit with the media to talk about the upcoming week. Two weeks ago, following a loss to Auburn, a collection of scribes visited with Phil Turner, among others, who said there was something special in store for the Bulldogs. He didn't know what it was but he just couldn't help but believe there was something special going to happen for this team.

Of course you expect players to have an optimistic outlook when talking about their season. But you could tell that Turner meant what he was saying... not just telling the media what they wanted to hear.

This past Monday, then the recorders were turned off Coach Stansbury posed a question to the media.

"Tell me who the best four teams are going into the SEC tournament," requested Stansbury.

Before anyone could formulate an answer he said, "Let me help you. LSU, Tennessee, Auburn, and Mississippi State."

At the time everyone felt you could make a case for the Bulldogs but a case could also be made for South Carolina.

Yesterday Stansbury's claim was proven to be correct as the final four in the SEC Tournament were Tennessee vs Auburn and LSU vs MSU.

Today is Phil Turner's turn to be correct by finding that something special at the end of the season. ]]> Michael Wardlaw http://bulldawgjunction.com/forums/blog.php?b=157 http://bulldawgjunction.com/forums/blog.php?b=156 Mon, 09 Mar 2009 13:59:12 GMT The Diamond Dawgs return home this week after a difficult four game road trip to Hawaii that saw State go 1 – 3 against the Rainbows. A day / night... The Diamond Dawgs return home this week after a difficult four game road trip to Hawaii that saw State go 1 – 3 against the Rainbows. A day / night double-header will be John Cohen’s final chance to tweak the lineup and answers questions before South Carolina comes to Starkville opening SEC play.

There is little doubt that Coach Cohen was concerned entering series, wondering how his team would handle the distractions the tropical paradise offered. However, that didn’t stop him from sticking to the game plan of mixing things up to see how player would react in different situations.

The Bulldogs have used 12 different lineups in their 12 games played. That’s right, 12.

No need to be surprised. Coach Cohen has said all along the first two-three weeks of the season would be about getting to know his team and what they are capable of. And before you lose it by saying, ‘we need these wins now, before SEC play.’ Coach Cohen fully understands the need for picking up Ws but he is focused on what it will take to win in SEC play which makes up the heart of the schedule.

The coaches are simply trying to find the guys they can count on when the chips are down and they’re facing an SEC foe, thus the 12 different lineups.

While there are some concerns with the recent road swing, I wouldn’t give up just yet. State didn’t always have their best offensive lineup on the field and I think we all would agree that State will have to outscore opponents this season…not get into pitching duals.

When State takes Grant Hogue, Jet Butler, or Ryan Duffy out of the lineup they lose a little punch. That’s exactly what happened this weekend. Now, I know the pitching didn’t exactly hold things together as the staff ERA climbed to 4.09, but not scoring runs certainly adds to the pressures on the mound.

Here is what you can take away from the weekend…

State was punched in the mouth and didn’t react very well in some spots.

Luke Adkins answered the challenge as he went 6-for-13 with a grand slam and a pair of doubles. He has a current hitting streak of four games.

Catcher / DH, Ryan Duffy, went 4- for- 12 with a team high five RBI during the series.

Jet Butler owns a .387 batting average which leads the Diamond Dawgs.

Connor Powers leads the club with 15 hits, 15 RBI, seven extra base hits, and three homeruns. Powers is also the only Bulldog to start all 12 games.

Greg Houston, Tyler Whitney and Nick Routt continue to pitch very well for Mississippi State.

Questions remain for the coaching staff to answer, but I think after giving the players two weeks to audition for a starting position a clearer picture is beginning to form. There will be tweaks made as the season continues, but now that SEC play is here the team that takes the field on Friday is the one I expect to see the lion’s share of the work. ]]> Michael Wardlaw http://bulldawgjunction.com/forums/blog.php?b=156 http://bulldawgjunction.com/forums/blog.php?b=155 Sun, 08 Feb 2009 01:39:45 GMT San Diego, Cal. – If I had a dollar for every crazy look I received when I asked, ‘hey man, can you turn the Mississippi State game on’… well I’d... San Diego, Cal. – If I had a dollar for every crazy look I received when I asked, ‘hey man, can you turn the Mississippi State game on’… well I’d have five dollars. I guess Mississippi State basketball isn’t as big of a deal in So Cal as it is in Starkville. It took five stops on Mission Beach before Alex, at Nick’s, found a way to get the Bulldogs on TV.

Maybe there are more than just three State fans in San Diego, but three of us (Mac, Jenn, and I) set out to find the ballgame for pre-test stress relief for the two joining me. First stop the Pacific Beach Ale House!

Last night this was the spot for a great dinner of lobster mac and cheese (don’t knock until you’ve tried it). So we felt like a high end sports bar would certainly be the spot to watch the Bulldogs run wild over the Hogs. Once inside there wasn’t a doubt we had found our spot. I mean Western Kentucky was on the main screen… surely the State game could be found. They scrolled through the channels until landing on 720, Mississippi State – Arkansas. We cheered in unison only to be disheartened by the words, ‘this game is not available’. What? Western Kentucky on HD and no Mississippi State?

Like any die-hard Bulldogs we would not be deterred. We quickly downed our beverage and headed to Miller’s Field, then Open Bar (that’s the name), and then to Hooters. Mac and I desperately wanted Hooters to be the home to Mississippi State basketball. We raced up the stairs into the front door as Lacey greeted us with a, ‘Welcome to Hooters’.

I instantly blurted out, ‘Can we watch the Mississippi State game’?

‘Who?’, she replied.

I knew right then we were unfortunately not staying at Hooters.

At that point we were ready to head back to the hotel to watch the game on ESPN360. Not option A, but it was the best we had on hand, that is until we found Nick’s.

A seafood / steakhouse isn’t exactly where you would expect to find the game, but we were desperate. At this point we were getting twitter’s from Kyle Veazey with regular score updates and we knew that if we could just get to the TV we could change their luck.

As we walked in the front door a wall of flat screens gave us hope! We quickly parked our selves at the bar with a request for the Mississippi State game on channel 720. The bartender replied by say, ‘Sorry guys we don’t have the full-court package, but I’ll try anyway.”

What happen next was nothing short of a technological miracle. He changed the channel to prove his point and for a moment the game was blacked out …but before he could say I told you so…the M-State logo on mid-court jumped from the screen. We cheered as the bartender claimed this was our lucky day.

Our enthusiasm was quickly curbed when we realized the Hogs were red hot, but we would not be deterred. We missed virtually the entire first half and we would sit until the end, even if the game got ugly.

Honestly, at this point we were happy to have found a place with cold beverage, good food, and our Bulldogs on tv.

State came out with the guns blazing and quickly cut the once 14 point deficit to just four. The record setting pace at which the Bulldogs were making threes had the crowd gathered around the bar begin to take notice.

Once State finally took their first lead of the game even the bartender gave a fist pump.

Yes, it was a good afternoon for the Bulldogs… even those of us on the West coast.

I certainly missed being on hand for today’s action; however this simply sets the table for a ‘Big Time’ matchup with LSU on Wednesday. I’ll be on hand for that one.

You guys hold the fort down until we get back! ]]> Michael Wardlaw http://bulldawgjunction.com/forums/blog.php?b=155 http://bulldawgjunction.com/forums/blog.php?b=154 Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:28:51 GMT Fax machines have been blazing in football offices across the country this morning with National Signing Day taking center stage. And while all... Fax machines have been blazing in football offices across the country this morning with National Signing Day taking center stage. And while all programs look forward to this day nowhere is there more excitement than at Mississippi State.

So far the Bulldogs have reeled in 26 signees with just William Shumpert remaining as the lone commit without papers and his are on the way.

No defections from the impressive list of commitments for the Bulldogs and that is an accomplishment considering who State battled with during the recruiting process. The Bulldogs even picked off a would be Auburn Tiger with Brandon Heavens.

In this class State has 8 WRs, 5 DBs, 5 DL, 2 RB, 2 OL, 1 LB, 1 PK, 1 P, and 1 QB.

Coach Mullen made it clear this would be a class full of receivers and with eight on the list... he certainly filled that need.

I'll save the stars of the class for later ... State could have additions before the day ends.

However, as of 10:00,if the class ends at 27 Mississippi State has build a solid class. ]]> Michael Wardlaw http://bulldawgjunction.com/forums/blog.php?b=154 http://bulldawgjunction.com/forums/blog.php?b=153 Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:51:54 GMT Mississippi State has been without the services of cornerback Anthony Johnson since he broke his ankle against Ole Miss in 2007. Since that time... Mississippi State has been without the services of cornerback Anthony Johnson since he broke his ankle against Ole Miss in 2007. Since that time Johnson has gone through rehab to return, but as most State fans are aware of he withdrew from school during the Spring of 2008 due to the "Gun Incident".

Johnson was allowed back into the University during the Fall of 2008 and remains enrolled at Mississippi State.

However, we have learned that while Johnson is still in school he is indefinitely suspended from the football program.

There is obviously no timetable for Johnson's return and that presents a problem for the Bulldogs who are in disparate need of a cornerback heading into the 2009 campaign.

BulldawgJunciton.com will keep you posted as things continue to develop. ]]> Michael Wardlaw http://bulldawgjunction.com/forums/blog.php?b=153