State Culture Shines As Bulldogs Break Through

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Mississippi State had every single reason in the world to quit on Saturday at Arkansas.

The Bulldogs were down by 14 entering the fourth quarter, but everyone who bleeds Maroon understood there was really more to it than that. Adversity stared State straight in the face once again, this on the heels of all the recent heartbreak.

Tennessee. Florida. Texas. All could haves. Would haves. Should haves.

It's been gut punch after gut punch after gut punch over the last month or so for MSU.

Now a two-touchdown deficit on the road? A team can only take so much.

Something special was needed. One day after Halloween, MSU didn't just need a comeback. It seemingly needed an exorcism.

Then, it happened. Over the course of 15 glorious (and incredibly stressful) moments of game action, the Dawgs did it. Blake Shapen's go-ahead touchdown pass to Anthony Evans III with under a minute to play wasn't just a game-winning score. It was the Dawgs kicking their demons to the curb.

Mississippi State had every reason in the world to quit. But the culture that head coach Jeff Lebby has built in Starkville made sure the Bulldogs finally found their Southeastern Conference breakthrough.

"I'm incredibly proud of our guys," Lebby said. "I'm so proud of our fight [and how we were] playing the next play.

"For our guys to keep believing, to play the next play, to execute in a time like that, to me, it shows toughness. Tough people win in life, and we've got a tough football team."

There is absolutely no arguing Lebby's assessment of his group. Lots of teams like to claim they're tough. Mississippi State's Saturday showed its toughness isn't just talk. Lebby has woven it into the very fabric of his football program.

If we're honest, it was there long before Saturday. Final scores didn't allow it to be celebrated, but toughness is why now-5-4 MSU has a legit case it should be 8-1. Yet for every heartbreaking loss, there was always a response that put State right back knocking at the door of a big win. Lebby's bunch always shook off defeats, turned the page to a new week and surged ahead.

At long last, that resilience, that toughness and that culture received the due reward Lebby's leadership has been building towards.

"I've continued to focus on this football team and this season and who we are in the moment," Lebby said. "Who are we today? What gives us the best opportunity to win every single Saturday? That's been our focus."

The Bulldogs have all bought fully into Lebby's style. It's not visible to the public eye, but week after week State has shown back up to the Leo Seal Jr. Football Complex, leaving behind the Saturday before and pressing on towards what's to come. The Dawgs really, truly, seek to go 1-0 every week. They've collectively adopted the even-keeled, consistent, head-down-and-keep-working approach of their head coach.

State players' respect for Lebby was on full display postgame Saturday in the MSU locker room. Following Lebby's remarks to his squad, Brenen Thompson had a quick announcement to make.

"We've got one more game ball [to give out]," Thompson said. "We know this game isn't easy, but we're all continuing to go."

Thompson then turned his attention to Lebby.

"Every day, this man shows up every single day," Thompson said, getting louder as he spoke. "Every single day!"

Issac Smith then tossed Lebby a game ball to a huge roar of approval from the team.

Smith was a fitting representative to pass Lebby the rock. Like Lebby, Smith has just kept battling over his brilliant Bulldog career, fighting for moments like Saturday. At Arkansas, Smith, Lebby and everyone got to bask in the glow of SEC triumph.

"I've been through so much adversity here at Mississippi State, and I wouldn't want to deal with it anywhere else," Smith said. "That's one thing I love about this place, the people are awesome, and we've got a great coach."

The culture Lebby has created – the same culture that has had MSU in position to do this every single week – now can be seen clearly, without the stain of heartbreak.

Yeah, State had every single reason in the world to quit Saturday. They really did.

But they didn't.

Under Lebby, it's apparent at this point they never will.

That means Saturday is just the start.

"We've got a lot left in front of us," Lebby said.

Click here to read article