25. Boise State…..(10-3)
Mississippi State student-athletes produced the most successful semester in the classroom on record with a 3.15 cumulative GPA this fall, Director of Athletics John Cohen announced on Thursday.
As part of the 3.15 combined GPA of MSU's scholarship student-athletes, both Bulldog women and men student-athletes tallied their highest cumulative GPAs ever with a 3.43 and 2.94, respectively.
“I am so proud of the effort and commitment that our Mississippi State student-athletes gave in the classroom this fall,” Cohen said. “Producing the highest cumulative GPA on record is a testament to the highcharacter student-athletes who represent our University every day. I want to congratulate them as well as our coaches, staff and our Athletic Academic Center led by Christine Jackson for their tireless efforts. Our academic mission is to graduate our students and equip them for life beyond their playing days. This is a great day for Mississippi State Athletics.”
Six of the seven MSU scholarship women's teams finished the semester with GPAs above the 3.0 mark, including women's basketball, women's golf (3.65), soccer, softball (3.32), women's tennis (3.58) and women's track and field (3.43). First-year head coach Tom Anagnost's soccer squad led all women's teams with a 3.69 GPA, while coach Vic Schaefer's thirdranked women's basketball team posted its highest GPA ever with a 3.40.
Matt Roberts' tennis team recorded the highest GPA of all MSU teams – men or women – with a 3.83. That mark was the second highest in program history and best since the 2010 squad posted a fall GPA of 3.85. Coach Ben Howland's men's basketball team, which is off to an 8-1 start on the court, tied the program's highest GPA on record with a 2.83. The TaxSlayer Bowl bound football team recorded its second-highest GPA on record with a 2.72. Coach Steve Dudley's men's track and field team tallied its highest fall GPA with a 3.21, while coach Dusty Smith's men's golf program tallied a 3.31 GPA among its scholarship student-athletes.
Individually, a total of 229 MSU student-athletes earned a spot on the Bulldog Honor Roll with a fall semester GPA of 3.0 or higher. A total of 54 studentathletes earned a 4.0 this semester.
As part of a continued commitment to providing a safe environment for the pubic and enhancing the security screening process at Humphrey Coliseum, Mississippi State will implement a clear bag policy for all men's and women's home Southeastern Conference basketball games this season.
The policy takes place starting with the men's basketball game against Arkansas on Jan. 2, 2018. The first women's game with the policy in effect comes against Arkansas on Jan. 4.
Under the policy, bags that will be permitted into Humphrey Coliseum are those that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12” x 6” x 12”, onegallon clear plastic freezer bag, small clutch purse, with or without strap or handle that does not exceed 4.5” x 6.5”, and an exception for medically necessary items after proper inspection at a designated entrance.
Fans are asked to leave all prohibited non-clear bags, purses and clutches at home or in their vehicle.
“The Humphrey Coliseum clear bag policy is a natural progression of the enhanced security protocols we began last year with the addition of walk thru metal detectors at coliseum entrances,” MSU Senior Associate Athletic Director for Event and Facility Management Jay Logan said. “As our fans have come to appreciate these added security measures put in place, and with many fans already using their clear bags from football, we felt it was time to add this next layer of security at basketball.”
The clear bag policy for Humphrey Coliseum is identical to the policy in place for Davis Wade Stadium which prohibits bags or purses larger than a clutch, briefcases, backpacks, cinch bags, fanny packs, diaper bags that are not clear and/or exceed the size restriction, luggage of any kind, computer bags/cases, camera bags, binocular cases or any bag larger than permissible size.
Hand-held items such as cameras, infant care items, books and computers are allowed as long as they are in an approved clear bag and properly screened.
Clear bags will be available for purchase at the Barnes and Noble kiosk in the Humphrey Coliseum lobby.
For more information on the clear bag policy, visit hailstate.com/clearbag.
Mississippi State head football coach Joe Moorhead confirmed on Thursday what the Starkville Daily News reported last week that Mark Hudspeth, a Mississippi native and the former head coach for seven seasons at Louisiana-Lafayette, has been hired as associate head coach and tight ends coach of the Bulldogs.
“Mark brings 25 years of experience as both an assistant coach and head coach to our staff,” Moorhead said. “Having devoted much of his life to football in this state, he will do an outstanding job recruiting and developing our players. We are glad to have him back as a Bulldog.”
Hudspeth, a Louisville native, returns to Missis-
| Page 8 College Football AP Top 25
Team…..Record
1. Clemson (43)…..(12-1)
2. Oklahoma (18)…..(12-1)
3. Georgia…..(12-1)
4. Alabama…..(11-1)
5. Ohio State…..(11-2)
6. Wisconsin…..(12-1)
7. Auburn…..(10-3)
8. Southern Cal…..(11-2)
9. Penn State…..(10-2)
10. Central Florida…..(12-0)
11. Miami…..(10-2)
12. Washington…..(10-2)
13. TCU…..(10-3)
14. Notre Dame…..(9-3)
15. Stanford…..(9-4)
16. LSU…..(9-3)
17. Oklahoma State…..(9-3)
18. Michigan State…..(9-3)
19. Memphis…..(10-2)
20. Northwestern…..(9-3)
21. Washington State…..(9-3)
22. Virginia Tech…..(9-3)
23. South Florida…..(9-2)
24. Mississippi State…..(8-4)
Others receiving votes: North Carolina State 54, San Diego State 40, Toledo 25, Louisville 11, FAU 8, Michigan 8, Fresno State 6, Missouri 3, Troy 1, Kansas State 1.
Amway Coaches Top 25 AP Top 25
Team…..Record
1. Clemson (49)…..(12-1)
2. Oklahoma (10)…..(12-1)
3. Georgia (2)…..(12-1)
4. Alabama…..(11-1)
5. Ohio State…..(11-2)
6. Wisconsin…..(12-1)
7. Southern Cal…..(11-2)
8. Auburn…..(10-3)
9. Penn State…..(10-2)
10. Central Florida…..(12-0)
11. Miami…..(10-2)
12. Washington…..(10-2)
13. TCU…..(10-3)
14. LSU…..(9-3)
15. Notre Dame…..(9-3)
16. Stanford…..(9-4)
17. Oklahoma State…..(9-3)
18. Memphis…..(10-2)
19. Michigan State…..(9-3)
20. Northwestern…..(9-3)
21. Washington State…..(9-3)
22. Virginia Tech…..(9-3)
23. Mississippi State…..(8-4)
24. South Florida…..(9-2)
25. Boise State…..(10-3)
Others receiving votes: North Carolina State 54; San Diego State 50; Florida Atlantic 24; Toledo 21; Michigan 11; Troy 11; Fresno State 5; Louisville 4; South Carolina 4.
CFP Rankings
1. Clemson (12-1)
2. Oklahoma (12-1)
3. Georgia (12-1)
4. Alabama (11-1)
5. Ohio State (11-2)
6. Wisconsin (12-1)
7. Auburn (10-3)
8. Southern Cal (11-2)
9. Penn State (10-2)
10. Miami (10-2)
11. Washington (10-2)
12. Central Florida (12-0)
13. Stanford (9-4)
14. Notre Dame (9-3)
15. TCU (10-3)
16. Michigan State (9-3)
17. LSU (9-3)
18. Washington State (9-3)
19. Oklahoma State (9-3)
20. Memphis (10-2)
21. Northwestern (9-3)
22. Virginia Tech (9-3)
23. Mississippi State (8-4)
24. North Carolina State (8-4)
25. Boise State (10-3)
Bowl Glance
Saturday, Dec. 16 Celebration Bowl At Atlanta
NC A&T (11-0) vs. Grambling State (11-1), Noon (ABC)
New Orleans Bowl
North Texas (9-4) vs. Troy (10-2), 1 p.m. (ESPN)
Cure Bowl Orlando, Fla.
Georgia State (6-5) vs. Western Kentucky (6-6), 2:30 p.m. (CBSSN)
Las Vegas Bowl
Boise State (10-3) vs. Oregon (7-5), 3:30 p.m. (ABC)
New Mexico Bowl Albuquerque
Colorado State (7-5) vs. Marshall (7-5), 4:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Camellia Bowl Montgomery, Ala.
Arkansas State (7-3) vs. Middle Tennessee (6-6), 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Tuesday, Dec. 19 Boca Raton (Fla.) Bowl
Akron (7-6) vs. FAU (10-3), 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Wednesday, Dec. 20 Frisco (Texas) Bowl
Louisiana Tech (6-6) vs. SMU (7-5), 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Thursday, Dec. 21 Gasparilla Bowl At St. Petersburg, Fla.
Temple (6-6) vs. FIU (8-4), 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Friday, Dec. 22 Bahamas Bowl Nassau
Ohio (8-4) vs. UAB (8-4), 12:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Boise
Central Michigan (7-5) vs. Wyoming (75), 4 p.m. (ESPN)
Saturday, Dec. 23 Birmingham (Ala.) Bowl
South Florida (9-2) vs. Texas Tech (6-6), Noon (ESPN)
Armed Forces Bowl Fort Worth, Texas
San Diego State (10-2) vs. Army (8-3), 3:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Dollar General Bowl Mobile, Ala.
Appalachian State (8-4) vs. Toledo (112), 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Sunday, Dec. 24 Hawaii Bowl Honolulu
Fresno State (9-4) vs. Houston (7-4), 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Tuesday, Dec. 26 Heart of Dallas Bowl
West Virginia (7-5) vs. Utah (6-6), 1:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Quick Lane Bowl Detroit
Northern Illinois (8-4) vs. Duke (6-6), 5:15 p.m. (ESPN)
Today
BOXING 9 p.m.
FS1 — Premier Champions, Jessie Vargas vs. Aaron Herrera, welterweights; Diego Chaves vs. Jamal James, welterweights, at Lancaster, Calif.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL 7 p.m.
FS1 — Md.-Eastern Shore at Creighton
COLLEGE FOOTBALL 6 p.m.
ESPNU — NCAA playoffs, Division III championship, Mount Union vs. Mary Hardin-Baylor, at Salem, Va.
7 p.m.
ESPN2 — NCAA FCS playoffs, first semifinal, Sam Houston St. at North Dakota St.
GOLF 11 p.m.
GOLF — Asian Tour, Indonesian Masters,
Cactus Bowl Phoenix
Kansas State (7-5) vs. UCLA (6-6), 9 p.m. (ESPN)
Wednesday, Dec. 27 Independence Bowl Shreveport, La.
Southern Mississippi (8-4) vs. Florida State (6-6), 1:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Pinstripe Bowl Bronx, N.Y.
Boston College (7-5) vs. Iowa (7-5), 5:15 p.m. (ESPN)
Foster Farms Bowl Santa Clara, Calif.
Arizona (7-5) vs. Purdue (6-6), 8:30 p.m. (FOX)
Texas Bowl Houston
Texas (6-6) vs. Missouri (7-5), 9 p.m. (ESPN)
Thursday, Dec. 28 Military Bowl Annapolis, Md.
Virginia (6-6) vs. Navy (6-5), 1:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Camping World Bowl Orlando, Fla.
Oklahoma State (9-3) vs. Virginia Tech (9-3), 5:15 p.m. (ESPN)
Alamo Bowl San Antonio
Stanford (9-4) vs. TCU (10-3), 9 p.m. (ESPN)
Holiday Bowl San Diego
Washington State (9-3) vs. Michigan State (9-3), 9 p.m. (FOX)
Friday, Dec. 29 Belk Bowl Charlotte, N.C.
Wake Forest (7-5) vs. Texas A&M (7-5), 1 p.m. (ESPN)
Sun Bowl El Paso, Texas
NC State (8-4) vs. Arizona State (7-5), 3 p.m. (CBS)
Music City Bowl Nashville, Tenn.
Kentucky (7-5) vs. Northwestern (9-3), 4:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Arizona Bowl Tucson, Ariz.
New Mexico State (5-6) vs. Utah State (6-6), 5:30 p.m. (CBSSN)
Cotton Bowl Classic Arlington, Texas
Southern Cal (11-2) vs. Ohio State (112), 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Saturday, Dec. 30 TaxSlayer Bowl Jacksonville, Fla. Louisville (8-4) vs. Mississippi State (8-4), Noon (ESPN)
Liberty Bowl Memphis, Tenn.
Iowa State (7-5) vs. Memphis (10-2), 12:30 p.m. (ABC)
Fiesta Bowl Glendale, Ariz.
Washington (10-2) vs. Penn State (102), 4 p.m. (ESPN)
Orange Bowl Miami Gardens, Fla.
Wisconsin (12-1) vs. Miami (10-2), 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Monday, Jan. 1 Outback Bowl Tampa, Fla.
third round, at Jakarta, Indonesia
HOCKEY 9 p.m.
NBCSN — Women, Canada at United States, at San Jose, Calif.
NBA BASKETBALL 6 p.m.
ESPN — Oklahoma City at Philadelphia
8:30 p.m.
ESPN — San Antonio at Houston
SOCCER 1:20 p.m.
FS2 — Bundesliga, Borussia Monchengladbach vs. Hamburg
WINTER SPORTS 3 p.m.
NBCSN — U.S. Olympic Trials: Curling, mixed doubles (round-robin), at Blaine, Minn.
7:30 p.m.
NBCSN — U.S. Olympic Team Trials: Speed Skating, short track (men’s & women’s 1,500m), at Kearns, Utah
Michigan (8-4) vs. South Carolina (8-4), Noon (ESPN2)
Peach Bowl Atlanta
UCF (12-0) vs. Auburn (10-3), 12:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Citrus Bowl Orlando, Fla.
Notre Dame (9-3) vs. LSU (9-3), 1 p.m. (ABC)
Rose Bowl (CFP Semifinal) Pasadena, Calif.
Oklahoma (12-1) vs. Georgia (12-1), 5:10 p.m. (ESPN)
Sugar Bowl (CFP Semifinal) New Orleans
Clemson (12-1) vs. Alabama (11-1), 8:45 p.m. (ESPN)
Monday, Jan. 8 College Football Championship Atlanta
Rose Bowl winner vs. Sugar Bowl winner, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Saturday, Jan. 20 East-West Shrine Classic At St. Petersburg, Fla.
East vs. West, 3 p.m. (NFLN)
NFLPA Collegiate Bowl At Carson, Calif.
American vs. National, TBA (FS1)
Saturday, Jan. 27 Senior Bowl At Mobile, Ala.
North vs. South, 2:30 p.m. (NFLN)
Mississippi State Bowl History
Record: 12-8
Dec. 26, 2016 St. Petersburg Bowl — Mississippi St. 17, Miami (Ohio) 16 Dec. 30, 2015 Belk Bowl — Mississippi St. 51, N.C. State 28
Dec. 31, 2014 Orange Bowl — Georgia Tech 49, Mississippi St. 34 Dec. 31, 2013 Liberty Bowl — Mississippi St. 44, Rice 7
Jan. 1, 2013 Gator Bowl — Northwestern 34, Mississippi St. 20
Dec. 30, 2011 Music City Bowl — Mississippi St. 23, Wake Forest 17 Jan. 1, 2011 Gator Bowl — Mississippi St. 52, Michigan 14
Dec. 29, 2007 Liberty Bowl — Mississippi St. 10, UCF 3
Dec. 31, 2000 Independence Bowl — Mississippi St. 43, Texas A&M 41, OT Dec. 30, 1999 Peach Bowl — Mississippi St. 17, Clemson 7
Jan. 1, 1999 Cotton Bowl — Texas 38, Mississippi St. 11
Jan. 1, 1995 Peach Bowl — N.C. State 28, Mississippi St. 24
Jan. 2, 1993 Peach Bowl — North Carolina 21, Mississippi St. 14
Dec. 29, 1991 Liberty Bowl — Air Force 38, Mississippi St. 15
Dec. 31, 1981 Hall of Fame Bowl — Mississippi St. 10, Kansas 0
Dec. 27, 1980 Sun Bowl — Nebraska 31, Mississippi St. 17
Dec. 28, 1974 Sun Bowl — Mississippi St. 26, North Carolina 24
Dec. 21, 1963 Liberty Bowl — Mississippi St. 16, N.C. State 12
Jan. 1, 1941 Orange Bowl — Mississippi St. 14, Georgetown 7
Jan. 1, 1937 Orange Bowl — Duquesne