Wikipedia

2007 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team

The 2007 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team represented Mississippi State University during the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's head coach was Sylvester Croom, who served his fourth season in the position. The Bulldogs played their six home games in 2007 at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi.

2007 Mississippi State Bulldogs football
Liberty Bowl champion
Liberty Bowl, W 10–3 vs. UCF
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
DivisionWestern Division
Record8–5 (4–4 SEC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorWoody McCorvey (4th season)
Offensive schemePro-style
Defensive coordinatorEllis Johnson (4th season)
Base defense4–2–5
Home stadiumDavis Wade Stadium
Seasons
← 2006
2008 →
2007 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Eastern Division
No. 12 Tennessee xy   6 – 2     10 – 4  
No. 2 Georgia x%   6 – 2     11 – 2  
No. 13 Florida   5 – 3     9 – 4  
South Carolina   3 – 5     6 – 6  
Kentucky   3 – 5     8 – 5  
Vanderbilt   2 – 6     5 – 7  
Western Division
No. 1 LSU x$#   6 – 2     12 – 2  
No. 15 Auburn   5 – 3     9 – 4  
Arkansas   4 – 4     8 – 5  
Mississippi State   4 – 4     8 – 5  
Alabama   4 – 4     7 – 6  
Ole Miss   0 – 8     3 – 9  
Championship: LSU 21, Tennessee 14
  • # – BCS National Champion
  • $ – BCS representative as conference champion
  • % – BCS at-large representative
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
  • Alabama had 5 victories vacated by the NCAA in 2010. As such, the official record for Alabama is 2–6 (1–4).
Rankings from AP Poll

The Bulldogs' record of 8–5 (4–4 in the SEC) was MSU's first winning record since the 2000 season, when the team finished 8–4 (4–4 in conference).[1] The 'Dogs earned their first bowl game berth since 2000 by reaching the 2007 Liberty Bowl. Mississippi State's victory there over Conference USA champion UCF also marked MSU's first bowl victory since 2000, when the Bulldogs defeated Texas A&M, 43–41 in overtime, to win the 2000 Independence Bowl under head coach Jackie Sherrill. For the Bulldogs' improvement, Croom was voted the 2007 SEC Coach of the Year by his peers.

Preseason

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At the 2007 SEC Football Media Days in Hoover, Alabama, Mississippi State was predicted to finish 6th in the SEC Western Division, based on a poll of SEC coaches.[2]

Players departing

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Seven starters departed from States' 2006 squad. All of them were seniors whose eligibility expired:

  • RG Brian Anderson, 6'6", 300 lbs., Three-year starter (started all 12 games in 2006)[3]
  • LB Quinton Culberson, 6'1", 236 lbs., All-SEC First-Team (102 tackles, 8 TFLs, 1 sack, 6 passes defended, 2 INTs in 2006)[3]
  • RCB David Heard, 6'0", 192 lbs., Three year starter (45 tackles, 3 TFLs, 8 passes defended, 2 INTs in 2006)[3]
  • DE Michael Heard, 6'2", 259 lbs., (37 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks in 2006)[3]
  • S Jeramie Johnson, 5'11", 213 lbs., (72 tackles, 3 TFLs, 5 passes defended in 2006)[3]
  • DT/LB Anwar Phillips, 6'0", 258 lbs., ()[3]
  • DT Andrew Powell, 6'1", 290 lbs., (34 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, .5 sack in 2006)[3]
  • DT Deljuan Robinson, 6'3", 287 lbs., (34 tackles, 11 TFLs, 1.5 sacks in 2006)[3]

Also departed are Seniors Omar Conner, who completed 76 of 135 passes (56.3%) for 943 yards and three touchdowns (three interceptions), rushed 37 times for 101 yards (2.7 average) and two touchdowns, and caught eight passes for 70 yards[4] while splitting time at WR and QB, WR Will Prosser (11 receptions, 135 yards)[4] and DT Antonio Johnson (21 tackles, 4 TFLs),[4] who was selected by the Tennessee Titans with the 152nd pick of the 2007 NFL draft.

Players returning

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Despite the loss of several standout veteran players from the Bulldogs' 2006 squad, the 2007 Bulldogs boast an experienced lineup, including 17 returning starters.

Offense

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State's offense in 2007 includes ten returning starters from 2006 (in bold).

Under center, Junior Michael Henig will get the first look at QB for the 'Dogs' after starting six games and completing 74 of 169 pass attempts (43.8%) for 1201 yards and seven touchdowns (nine interceptions) as a Sophomore in 2006.[4] He will be challenged by Sophomores Ty Evans and Zack Harrington as well as incoming JUCO transfer Josh Riddell.

The Bulldogs will get back their top five pass receivers from 2006: Tony Burks (35 catches, 850 yards, 5 touchdowns, led SEC with 24.3 yards per reception), Jamayel Smith (20 receptions, 335 yards, 2 touchdowns), TE Eric Butler (13 receptions, 210 yards, 1 touchdown), Lance Long (25 receptions, 177 yards, 1 touchdown) and Aubrey Bell (8 receptions, 151 yards). Also returning are backup TEs Dezmond Sherrod (just 7 career receptions, but a solid blocking TE) and Jason Husband (9 receptions, 89 yards, 1 touchdown in 2006).[4]

Sophomore RB Anthony Dixon emerged as a star in his 2006 true-Freshman season, rushing 169 times for 668 yards (4 yards per carry) and 9 touchdowns.[4] He looks to handle the 'Dogs' starting RB duties again in 2007. Backups Arnil Stallworth, Justin Williams and Christian Ducré all return, as well. Juniors Eric Hoskins, who redshirted in 2006 after transferring from Holmes, and Brandon Hart, a converted RB, will share the FB duties.

The Bulldogs have the makings of a solid group of linemen up front, where C Royce Blacledge returns to anchor the unit in his Senior season after starting every game there as a Junior in 2006; Sophomore Craig Jenkins, who started every game at RT in 2006, moves to RG; Juniors Anthony Strauder and Michael Gates, who split time at LG both return, as do talented Junior Michael Brown, who transferred to State after redshirting at Florida, and Senior swing G/T J.D. Hamilton, both of whom split time at LT last season.

  • Offensive Depth (as of December 29, 2007)[5]
STARTER Backup Backup
Z WR #4 Tony Burks

6'4", 217 lbs., Sr.

Gulfport, Mississippi

#86 Lance Long

5'11", 186 lbs., Sr.

Macomb, Michigan

#81 Brandon McRae

6'4", 200 lbs., So.

Chester, Virginia

TE #48 Dezmond Sherrod

6'3", 245 lbs., Sr.

Caledonia, Mississippi

#88 Eric Butler

6'3", 255 lbs., Sr.

Moss Point, Mississippi

#82 Jason Husband

6'3", 230 lbs., Sr.

Jackson, Mississippi

RT #60 J.D. Hamilton

6'4", 300 lbs., Sr.

Natchez, Mississippi

#79 Derek Sherrod

6'5", 298 lbs., Fr.

Caledonia, Mississippi

#67 Roland Terry

6'7", 298 lbs., Jr.

Meridian, Mississippi

RG #78 Michael Gates

6'4", 305 lbs., Jr.

Fairburn, Georgia

#75 Craig Jenkins

6'4", 315 lbs., So.

Pearl, Mississippi

#63 Chris Spencer

6'3", 305 lbs., So.

Meridian, Mississippi

C #76 Royce Blackledge

6'4", 293 lbs., Sr.

Sandersville, Mississippi

#58 Johnny Carpenter

6'2", 290 lbs., So.

Citronelle, Alabama

LG #53 Anthony Strauder

6'3", 295 lbs., Jr.

Natchez, Mississippi

#70 J.C. Brignone

6'1", 290 lbs., RS Fr.

Pass Christian, Mississippi

#72 John McMillan

6'2", 285 lbs., RS Fr.

Paragould, Arkansas

LT #77 Michael Brown

6'5", 300 lbs., Jr.

College Park, Georgia

#74 Mark Melichar

6'5", 290 lbs., RS Fr.

Birmingham, Alabama

X WR #89 Jamayel Smith

6'0", 183 lbs., Jr.

East Point, Georgia

#87 Aubrey Bell

6'3", 217 lbs., Jr.

Prichard, Alabama

#15 Co-Eric Riley

6'1", 200 lbs., Jr.

Lucedale, Mississippi

QB #13 Wesley Carroll

6'2", 190 lbs., Fr.

Parkland, Florida

#7 Michael Henig

6'1", 190 lbs., Jr.

Montgomery, Alabama

#17 Josh Riddell

6'1", 195 lbs., Jr.

Salem, Oregon

FB #38 Eric Hoskins

5'11", 230 lbs., Jr.

Weir, Mississippi

#35 Brandon Hart

5'11", 240 lbs., Jr.

LaGrange, Georgia

#84 Jeremy Jones

6'2", 275 lbs., Jr.

Harvey, Louisiana

RB #24 Anthony Dixon

6'1", 240 lbs., So.

Terry, Mississippi

#29 Christian Ducré

6'0", 222 lbs., So.

Mandeville, Louisiana

#33 Justin Williams

5'10", 207 lbs., Sr.

Tallulah, Louisiana

  • "Fr." refers to true freshmen who are in their first season on-campus, unless noted "RS" in which case the player is participating in their first season of eligibility after red-shirting.

Defense

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Despite the loss of six starters from 2006, Mississippi State returns five proven, veteran starters (in bold) and a strong group of young players who will attempt to replace last year's Seniors.

Up front, Senior LDE Titus Brown (38 tackles, 7 TFLs, 7.5 sacks, 1 pass defended in 2006),[4] a 2006 Second-Team All-SEC selection, is the only returning starter, but with 18 career starts under his belt, he has the experience to be a disruptive force for the Bulldogs and to help develop his younger teammates. Senior Avery Hannibal looks to fill the other DE spot, after recording eight tackles, one TFL and one sack[4] in spot-relief of departed Senior Michael Heard in 2006. RS Freshman Brandon Cooper and Juniors Charles Burns and Tim Bailey, a former JUCO star and Army National Guard veteran, can also be expected to compete for time at DE, as well as JUCO newcomer Jimmie Holmes. With all three players who split time at DT in 2006 gone, competition for both starting jobs looks to be wide open. Freshman Reggie Odom, Sophomores Quinton Wesley and Kyle Love (7 tackles in 2006)[4] and Junior Cortez McCraney (10 tackles, 1.5 TFL in 2005) will all have chances to earn the vacant spots, but they will be challenged by newcomers like JUCO transfer Jessie Bowman and true-Freshman LaMarcus Williams.

At LB, Senior Gabe O'Neal (40 tackles, 3 TFL in 2006)[4] and Junior Jamar Chaney (66 tackles, 5 TFL, 2.5 sacks)[4] seem to have what it takes to maintain the respective starting SLB and MLB spots that they occupied in 2006. Sophomore Jamon Hughes (17 tackles)[4] and Junior Anthony Littlejohn (12 tackles, 1 pass defended)[4] look to be the top contenders to earn the final WLB spot, along with JUCO transfer Dominic Douglas.

In the secondary, Mississippi State returns two Junior defensive stars in SS Keith Fitzhugh (59 tackles, .5 TFL, 3 passes defended, 1 INT in 2006)[4] and 2006 Second-Team All-SEC selection Derek Pegues (32 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 5 passes defended, 4 INTs),[4] who will move from CB to FS. Sophomores Anthony Johnson (12 tackles, 1 pass defended)[4] and Marcus Washington (6 tackles)[4] will compete for the vacated CB spots, along with Juniors Demario Bobo (65 tackles, 2 TFLs, 2 FFs, 2 passes defended from 2004–2005) and Keon Humphries, a converted WR, and JUCO transfers Jasper O'Quinn and Chris Nance.

  • Defensive Depth (as of December 29, 2007)[5]
STARTER Backup Backup
LDE #54 Titus Brown

6'3", 250 lbs., Sr.

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

#39 Tim Bailey

6'3", 241 lbs., Jr.

Greenville, Mississippi

#91 Rodney Prince

6'3", 252 lbs., RS Fr.

Irondale, Alabama

LDT #95 Kyle Love

6'1", 312 lbs., So.

Fairburn, Georgia

#90 Cortez McCraney

6'4", 272 lbs., Jr.

Southaven, Mississippi

#96 Reggie Odom

6'0", 295 lbs., RS Fr.

DeLand, Florida

RDT #94 Jessie Bowman

6'1", 305 lbs., Jr.

Brookhaven, Mississippi

#98 LaMarcus Williams

6'1", 290 lbs., Fr.

Bastrop, Louisiana

#99 Quinton Wesley

6'4", 315 lbs., So.

Atlanta

RDE #51 Avery Hannibal

6'1", 240 lbs., Sr.

LaGrange, Georgia

#93 Brandon Cooper

6'3", 240 lbs., RS Fr.

Missouri City, Texas

#97 Jimmie Holmes

6'3", 235 lbs., Jr.

Aiken, South Carolina

SLB #5 Gabe O'Neal

6'1", 220 lbs., Sr.

Columbus, Mississippi

#34 K. J. Wright

6'3", 215 lbs., Fr.

Olive Branch, Mississippi

MLB #22 Jamar Chaney

6'1", 236 lbs., Jr.

Ft. Pierce, Florida

#36 Jamon Hughes

6'0", 230 lbs., So.

Rolling Fork, Mississippi

WLB #10 Dominic Douglas

6'2", 227 lbs., Jr.

Clinton, Mississippi

#56 Anthony Littlejohn

6'1", 230 lbs., Jr.

Jacksonville, Florida

#52 Karlin Brown

5'9", 195 lbs., Fr.

Tallahassee, Florida

LCB #11 Anthony Johnson

5'10", 194 lbs., So.

Jackson, Mississippi

#28 Tay Bowser

6'3", 185 lbs., So.

Gilmer, Texas

#27 Jarvis Kyles

6'0", 185 lbs., So.

Milledgeville, Georgia

RCB #23 Jasper O'Quinn

5'10", 185 lbs., Jr.

Bude, Mississippi

#18 Marcus Washington

5'10", 180 lbs., So.

Missouri City, Texas

#40 Chris Nance

5'10", 182 lbs., Jr.

Tuscumbia, Alabama

SS #8 De'Mon Glanton

6'1", 190 lbs., Jr.

Atlanta

#1 Keith Fitzhugh

5'11", 206 lbs., Jr.

Hampton, Georgia

FS #3 Derek Pegues

5'10", 196 lbs., Jr.

Batesville, Mississippi

#6 Demario Bobo

6'0", 180 lbs., Jr.

Courtland, Mississippi

#42 Zach Smith

6'0", 180 lbs., Fr.

Altoona, Alabama

Special teams

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Mississippi State returns virtually all of its key players in the kicking game (returning staters in bold).

Junior K Adam Carlson (8 of 16 career FGs, 58 career points, 47 career long)[4] is back after his first full season as a starter. Carlson will also handle kickoff duties for the second straight year. In 2006, he kicked off 31 times for an average of 54.2 yards.[4] Also, returning is Junior P Blake McAdams, who averaged 38.2 yards per kick and landed 15 of his 68 punts inside opponents' 20.[4] Derek Pegues will again handle punt and kick returning duties after returning 25 punts an average of 14 yards with one touchdown and taking back 29 kickoffs an average of 23.7 yards in 2006.[4]

  • Special Teams Depth (as of December 29, 2007)[5]
STARTER Backup Backup
K #37 Adam Carlson

6'4", 195 lbs., Jr.

Gulfport, Mississippi

#41 Brad Moore

6'1", 190 lbs., RS Fr.

Starkville, Mississippi

LS #46 Aaron Feld

6'1", 225 lbs., RS Fr.

Homewood, Alabama

#65 Anthony Bowles

5'11", 220 lbs., Jr.

Grenada, Mississippi

H #43 Blake McAdams

5'10", 190 lbs., Jr.

Ripley, Tennessee

#45 Ben Shelton

5'11", 196 lbs., Sr.

Vicksburg, Mississippi

KOS #37 Adam Carlson

6'4", 195 lbs., Jr.

Gulfport, Mississippi

#43 Blake McAdams

5'10", 190 lbs., Jr.

Ripley, Tennessee

KR #3 Derek Pegues

5'10", 196 lbs., Jr.

Batesville, Mississippi

#86 Lance Long

5'11", 186 lbs., Sr.

Macomb, Michigan

#29 Christian Ducré

6'0", 222 lbs., So.

Mandeville, Louisiana

P #43 Blake McAdams

5'10", 190 lbs., Jr.

Ripley, Tennessee

#37 Adam Carlson

6'4", 195 lbs., Jr.

Gulfport, Mississippi

PR #3 Derek Pegues

5'10", 196 lbs., Jr.

Batesville, Mississippi

#33 Justin Williams

5'10", 207 lbs., Sr.

Tallulah, Louisiana

#15 Co-Eric Riley

6'1", 200 lbs., Jr.

Lucedale, Mississippi

Newcomers: 2007 signing class

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MSU signed a total of 34 players to letters of intent, comprising the Bulldogs' 2007 signing class. The class was headlined by a large number of top in-state high school recruits including RB/S Marcus Green (Meridian), DT Quentin Saulsberry (Independence), OT Derek Sherrod (Caledonia) and highly touted RB Robert Elliot (Okolona), who chose the Bulldogs on National Signing Day following a heated recruiting battle between MSU, Ole Miss and Florida State. The Bulldogs capped off a solid 2007 high school class with several top junior college signees, such as DT Jessie Bowman (Brookhaven/Co-Lin) and WR Co-Eric Riley (Lucedale/Gulf Coast). Additionally, MSU signed several strong out-of-State players including high school DT LaMarcus Williams (Bastrop, Louisiana) and JUCO QB Josh Riddell (Salem, Oregon/Foothill). Rivals.com ranked State's 2007 class 39th in the Nation, while Scout.com had the Bulldogs' class at 27th. With a strong, consensus top-40 class, the Bulldogs will expect and need some newcomers to make an immediate impact on the field.

US college sports recruiting information for 2007 recruits
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40‡ Commit date
Damein Anderson
CB 		Hazlehurst, Mississippi Hazlehurst High School 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 4.51 Mar 28, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 74
*Korentheus Bailey
DT 		Gainesville, Georgia East Hall County High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 250 lb (110 kg) 5.5 Nov 30, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 64
Wade Bonner
CB 		Somerville, Tennessee Fayette-Ware Comprehensive High School 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 4.48 Dec 3, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 74
Jessie Bowman (TR)
DT 		Brookhaven, Mississippi Brookhaven High School, Copiah-Lincoln Community College 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 335 lb (152 kg) 5.0 Dec 13, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: N/A
Karlin Brown
LB 		Tallahassee, Florida Lincoln High School 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 4.5 May 26, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 74
Wesley Carroll
QB 		Ft. Lauderdale, Florida St. Thomas Aquinas High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 4.5 Dec 14, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 72
*Maurice Crutison
LB 		Port Gibson, Mississippi Port Gibson High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 4.51 May 1, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 74
*Antwon Dixon
S 		Terry, Mississippi Terry High School 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 4.53 Aug 31, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 74
Dominic Douglas (TR)
LB 		Clinton, Mississippi Clinton High School, Hinds Community College 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 4.6 Oct 30, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: N/A
Robert Elliot
RB 		Okolona, Mississippi Okolona High School 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 191 lb (87 kg) 4.58 Feb 7, 2007 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 77
Marcus Green
RB/S 		De Kalb, Mississippi Kemper County High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 4.5 Aug 18, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 76
*Jazzmen Guy
DE 		Hazlehurst, Mississippi Hazlehurst High School 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 265 lb (120 kg) 4.71 Apr 1, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 77
Jimmie Holmes (TR)
DE 		Aiken, South Carolina Aiken High School, Mississippi Delta Community College 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 227 lb (103 kg) 4.7 Aug 26, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: N/A
*Mike Hunt
S 		Meadville, Mississippi Franklin County High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 208 lb (94 kg) 4.64 May 26, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 74
*Colton Jenkins
OT 		Winona, Mississippi Winon High School 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 284 lb (129 kg) 5.2 Jul 31, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 74
Terrell Johnson
LB 		Silas, Alabama Southern Choctaw County High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 4.6 Dec 6, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Jamie Jones
LB 		Springdale, Arkansas Springdale High School 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 4.58 Jan 30, 2007 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 75
Addison Lawrence
TE 		Coldwater, Mississippi Magnolia Heights School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 251 lb (114 kg) 5.03 Jun 15, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 69
D.J. Looney
C 		Birmingham, Alabama Oak Mountain High School 6 ft 1.5 in (1.87 m) 292 lb (132 kg) 5.49 Jun 19, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 76
Dakota Merritt
OT 		Cantonment, Florida West Florida High School of Advanced Technology 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 297 lb (135 kg) 5.0 Jul 13, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 66
Chris Nance (TR)
CB 		Tuscumbia, Alabama Deshler High School, Northeast Mississippi Community College 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 4.5 Dec 14, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: N/A
Jasper O'Quinn (TR)
CB 		Meadville, Mississippi Franklin County High School, Copiah-Lincoln Community College 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 4.45 Dec 12, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: N/A
Chris Relf
QB 		Montgomery, Alabama Carver High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 206 lb (93 kg) 4.87 May 3, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 76
Eric Richards
K 		Vicksburg, Mississippi Warren Central High School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 4.9 Sep 10, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 78
Josh Riddell (TR)
QB 		Salem, Oregon McKay High School, Foothill College 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 4.7 Dec 17, 2007 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: N/A
Co-Eric Riley (TR)
WR 		Lucedale, Mississippi George County High School, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 4.5 May 10, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: N/A
Quentin Saulsberry
DT 		Tate County, Mississippi Independence High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 270 lb (120 kg) 5.15 Jul 22, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 74
Derek Sherrod
OT 		Caledonia, Mississippi Caledonia High School 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 300 lb (140 kg) 5.3 Aug 5, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 78
Zach Smith
S 		Altoona, Alabama Susan Moore High School 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 4.52 Nov 12, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 76
Ethan Stockett
FB 		Ft. Smith, Arkansas Southside High School 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 252 lb (114 kg) 4.8 May 12, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 66
*Antonio White
LB 		Hollandale, Mississippi Simmons High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 240 lb (110 kg) 4.6 May 4, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 75
*O'Neal Wilder
WR 		Carthage, Mississippi Carthage High School 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 4.48 Feb 6, 2007 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
LaMarcus Williams
DT 		Bastrop, Louisiana Bastrop High School 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 290 lb (130 kg) 4.9 Feb 7, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 72
K. J. Wright
LB 		Olive Branch, Mississippi Olive Branch High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 4.67 Dec 25, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 27   Rivals: 39
  • ‡ Refers to 40 yard dash
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "MSU Commit List 2007". Rivals.com. Retrieved December 26, 2007.
  • "Scout.com Football Recruiting: MSU". Scout.com. Retrieved December 26, 2007.
  • "2007 Player Commitments – MSU". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 26, 2007.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved December 26, 2007.
  • "2007 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved December 26, 2007.
  • (TR) indicates signees who are transferring to MSU from another collegiate institution and therefore have only two seasons of NCAA eligibility remaining, instead of the standard four.
  • Although Mississippi State signed 34 players in their 2007 class, the Bulldogs had only 26 football scholarships available to offer for the 2007 season (a situation referred to as "oversigning"). Signees who do not appear on MSU's 2007 roster due to oversigning, failure to qualify academically or any other reason are noted with an asterisk *.

Schedule

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Analyst Phil Steele ranked MSU's 2007 schedule strength 29th in the Nation in his 2007 preview magazine.

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
August 307:00 pmNo. 2 LSU
ESPNL 0–4550,112
September 86:00 pmat Tulane*
CSSW 38–1731,076
September 1511:30 amat Auburn
LFSW 19–1482,129
September 226:00 pmGardner–Webb*
  • Davis Wade Stadium
  • Starkville, MS
W 31–1542,272
September 2911:00 amat No. 16 South Carolina
LFSL 21–3878,883
October 61:30 pmUAB* 
  • Davis Wade Stadium
  • Starkville, MS
W 30–1345,259
October 131:30 pmNo. 25 Tennessee
  • Davis Wade Stadium
  • Starkville, MS
PPVL 21–3350,217
October 202:30 pmat No. 9 West Virginia*
ESPN PlusL 13–3861,022
October 2711:30 amat No. 14 Kentucky
LFSW 31–1468,173
November 1011:30 amNo. 21 Alabama
  • Davis Wade Stadium
  • Starkville, MS (rivalry)
LFSW 17–1256,188
November 171:00 pmat Arkansas
L 31–4555,185
November 2311:30 amOle Miss
  • Davis Wade Stadium
  • Starkville, MS (Egg Bowl)
LFSW 17–1451,727
December 293:30 pmvs. UCF*
ESPNW 10–363,816
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time

[6]

Game summaries

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LSU

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1 234Total
• #2 Tigers (12–2, 6–2) 3 141414 45
Bulldogs (0-1, 0-1) 0 000 0

LSU and Mississippi State kicked off the 2007 college football season in a Thursday night SEC contest broadcast live on ESPN, the 101st meeting between the two teams. Through much of the first half it appeared as though Mississippi State was up to the daunting task of challenging the Tigers, then the #2-ranked team in the country behind only USC, as MSU clung to a 0–3 deficit through most of the first half, until LSU scored 14 points in the last six minutes of the second quarter, opening the door for the Tigers to cruise to the final 0–45 margin.

LSU K Colt David warmed up the scoreboard for the Tigers' offense with a 27-yard field goal in the first quarter.[7] Tigers' RB Keiland Williams scored twice on one-yard touchdown runs in the second quarter to push LSU's lead to 0–17 at the half.

In the third quarter, the Tigers' distanced themselves with two eleven-yard touchdown passes from QB Matt Flynn, one to WR Early Doucet and the other to RB Charles Scott, bringing the score to 0–31 to start the fourth quarter. LSU backup QB Ryan Perriloux sealed the Tigers' victory in the fourth quarter with a three-yard touchdown scramble, followed by a 15-yard touchdown pass to WR Brandon LaFell to put LSU up by the final 0–45 margin.

LSU's dominance included earning 22 first downs to MSU's nine and yielding MSU just ten rushing yards on 26 carries. LSU FB Jacob Hester led the Tigers with 14 carries for 72 yards (4.9 yards per carry), while Early Doucet paced LSU's passing attack with 9 catches for 78 yards, including the 11-yard touchdown strike he caught in the third quarter; he was the only LSU receiver to catch more than one pass. For MSU, RB Anthony Dixon led the Bulldogs on the ground with just 29 yards on 13 carries (2.2 average). RB Arnil Stallworth led MSU with only 3 pass receptions for 33 yards.

LSU starting QB Matt Flynn paced his team's offense by completing 12 of 19 passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns and rushing 11 times for 42 yards. Ryan Perriloux ran the Tigers' offense well in relief duty, completing 2 of 3 passes for 21 yards and a touchdown and running 3 times for 12 yards and another score. For MSU, QB Michael Henig completed just 11 of 28 passes on his way to a school record-tying six interception-performance.[8] He was sacked three times for a cumulative loss of 30 yards.

Defensively, LSU LB Ali Highsmith led the Tigers with eight total tackles. Tigers' S Craig Steltz returned three of MSU's six interceptions a total of 100 yards. MSU LB Dominic Douglas, playing in his first career game with the Bulldogs, led all tacklers with nine total, earning "Outstanding Performer" recognition for Week 1.

LSU went on to finish the season 12–2 with a victory over Ohio State in the BCS title game and were ranked #1 in all final major polls.

See also: 2007 LSU Tigers football team

Tulane

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1 234Total
• Bulldogs (1–1, 0–1) 14 3147 38
Green Wave (4–8, 3–5) 14 300 17

After being hammered 0–45 by LSU to open the season, MSU sought its first win of 2007 when the Bulldogs traveled to New Orleans to take on another team from the state of Louisiana, the Tulane Green Wave, in the second week of the season. As with all Tulane home games, the contest was played at the Louisiana Superdome, also the home stadium of the New Orleans Saints. The game was also a homecoming of sorts for MSU RB Christian Ducré, a native of nearby Mandeville who began his college career at Tulane before transferring to State.

Coming into the game, Tulane's All-C-USA RB Matt Forte was regarded as one of the nation's best Running Backs. A 2008 NFL draft prospect, Forte finished the 2007 season by earning AP All-America recognition.

State started the scoring off early in the first quarter, when LB Gabe O'Neal intercepted a pass on the first offensive series of the game and returned it 47 yards for a touchdown.[9] Tulane responded on the next series, however, with a quick three-play, 61-yard drive resulting in a 39-yard touchdown run by Forte. Mississippi State added an 18-yard touchdown run by QB Michael Henig and Tulane tacked on an eight-yard touchdown pass from QB Scott Elliott to FB Jeremy McKinney, all in the first quarter. The only other scoring in the first half came when MSU and Tulane traded field goals in the second quarter, a 23-yarder by Adam Carlson and a 26-yarder by Ross Thevenot, respectively, leaving the score tied 17–17 at halftime.

After the competitive first half, Mississippi State regrouped and the Bulldogs took the game over in the second by scoring 21 unanswered points. FB Jeremy Jones capped off a long drive to open the second half, catching an eight-yard touchdown pass from Michael Henig after MSU's offense covered 67 yards with 9 plays in 3:30. Later in the third quarter, RB Anthony Dixon broke a 27-yard run to stretch the 'Dogs' lead to 14. Dixon sealed the victory for MSU with a seven-yard fourth quarter run that put the Bulldogs ahead by the final margin.

Dixon bounced back from being shut down by LSU in the previous week by rushing for 131 yards on 27 carries (4.9 average) and two touchdowns, earning him "Outstanding Performer" recognition for Week 2. QB Michael Henig posted an admirable performance as well, completing 21 of 30 pass attempts for 223 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Meanwhile, MSU's defense put up an impressive performance, allowing the Green Wave only eight first downs to MSU's 27 and limiting Forte to 63 yards on 14 carries (3.4 average), his lowest totals of the 2007 season in all three categories. He also lost two fumbles to the 'Dogs' defense.

LB Jamar Chaney led MSU with six total tackles. In addition to his interception return for a touchdown, LB Gabe O'Neal recovered a fumble and recorded four total tackles and was named the SEC's Defensive Player of the Week for Week 2.

Tulane finished the season with an unimpressive 4-8 record, but did manage to finish in third place in the C-USA West.

See also: Tulane Green Wave

Auburn

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1 234Total
• Bulldogs (2–1, 1–1) 10 306 19
Tigers (9–4, 5–3) 0 1400 14

MSU traveled to Auburn, Alabama for their Week 3 match-up against the favored Auburn Tigers, played at Jordan–Hare Stadium. The Tigers boasted a six-game win streak against the Bulldogs dating back to 2001. Since the 'Dogs defeated the Tigers 17–10 in Starkville in 2000, Auburn had dominated over the course of their six consecutive wins against MSU, outscoring State by an average margin of 25.5 points, including consecutive shutouts in 2005 and 2006.

State (1–1, 0–1) entered the game coming off of an impressive second half rally to cruise by Tulane after their opening week-beating at the hands of LSU. Auburn (1–1, 0–0) had fallen from the national polls by losing to then-unranked South Florida in Week 2, after defeating the Kansas State Wildcats with a 14-point fourth quarter rally in the opening week of the season.

The Bulldogs caught AU off guard, jumping out to a 13–0 lead early in the second quarter. MSU K Adam Carlson scored State's first points with a 32-yard field goal on the game's opening drive, marking the first time MSU had scored on Auburn since 2004. On the next drive, Auburn's first of the game, Tigers' QB Brandon Cox threw an interception caught and returned by MSU FS Derek Pegues for a touchdown less than a minute after Carlson's field goal to give MSU a quick 10–0 lead. Cox again threw an interception on Auburn's ensuing possession, prompting the Tigers to insert true-Freshman backup QB Kodi Burns into the game on their next series. However, he also turned the ball over on his first possession. MSU capitalized on AU's turnovers by adding another Carlson field goal on the ensuing drive to stretch their lead to 13–0.

However, the Tigers mounted a comeback late in the second quarter, when RB Ben Tate ran 28 yards to finally put Auburn on the board. On the ensuing kickoff, MSU KR Derek Pegues fumbled the return, giving AU the ball on State's 30-yard line with 4:12 to play in the first half. After turning the ball over on so many previous possessions, Auburn stuck to their ground game, not attempting a single pass during the ensuing series. Kodi Burns led the way for the Tigers, accounting for five of his team's seven carries and 21 of AU's 30 yards on the drive, capped by his one-yard dive into the endzone to tie the game, with K Wes Byrum's successful Extra point giving the Tigers a 13–14 lead, which they held for the remainder of the first half.

Neither team's offense was able to successfully move the ball in the second half until MSU took possession on AU's 44-yard line with 10:42 left in the fourth quarter, after S Demario Bobo intercepted a Kodi Burns pass.

The ensuing drive was the most important of the game for the Bulldogs, as they marched 44 yards in 10 plays and scored after using over five minutes off of the game clock. MSU RB Christian Ducré, who gained 21 yards on three carries on the drive, punched the ball into the endzone from five yards out for the score. The Bulldogs unsuccessfully attempted a two-point conversion, which left them with a narrow 19–14 lead with over five minutes remaining in the game. Brandon Cox returned to the game on the ensuing drive for Auburn. Cox led his team 67 yards down the field, all the way to MSU 9-yard line, but was unable to score as his fourth down pass attempt fell incomplete, giving State the ball back with just :48 remaining, allowing the 'Dogs to run out the clock and earn their first victory over an SEC opponent in 2007.

Auburn ended the game with 16 first downs to State's 14 and 110 more yards of total offense than MSU, but turnovers proved to be the story of the game with just one for MSU compared to five for AU.

As a team, MSU completed just five (of 18) pass attempts for 41 yards, but was able to rely on a powerful running game. RB Anthony Dixon was State's workhorse, finishing with 29 carries for 103 yards, while Christian Ducré contributed 63 yards on ten carries in addition to the game-winning touchdown for the Bulldogs.

Bulldogs' P Blake McAdams quietly posted an impressive performance by punting 6 times for an average of 43.3 yards, including a booming career-best 73-yard kick.

Five different Bulldog players recovered each of Auburn's turnovers: DE Jimmie Holmes and DT Kyle Love both recovered fumbles, while CB Anthony Johnson, SS Demario Bobo and FS Derek Pegues each intercepted AU passes. MSU LB Dominic Douglas again led all tacklers for the second time in his young (three-game) MSU career, with nine total.

After their slow 1–2 start, Auburn won their next four games, finished the season 9–4 by defeating Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, and were ranked 14th in the country in the final Coaches poll.

See also: 2007 Auburn Tigers football team

Gardner–Webb

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Last Meeting: First Meeting

1 234Total
Runnin' Bulldogs (5–6, 2–2) 0 069 15
• Bulldogs (3–1, 1–1) 14 1430 31


See also: Gardner–Webb University

South Carolina

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1 234Total
Bulldogs (3–2, 1–2) 7 770 21
• #16 Gamecocks (6–6, 3–5) 7 10714 38


See also: 2007 South Carolina Gamecocks football team

UAB

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1 234Total
Blazers (2–10, 1–7) 0 1030 13
• Bulldogs (4–2, 1–2) 0 3621 30


See also: 2007 UAB Blazers football team

Tennessee

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1 234Total
• #25 Volunteers (10–4, 6–2) 7 10106 33
Bulldogs (4–3, 1–3) 7 770 21


See also: 2007 Tennessee Volunteers football team

West Virginia

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1 234Total
Bulldogs (4–4, 1–3) 0 760 13
• #9 Mountaineers (11–2, 5–2) 28 307 38


See also: 2007 West Virginia Mountaineers football team

Kentucky

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1 234Total
• Bulldogs (5–4, 2–3) 7 7107 31
#14 Wildcats (8–5, 3–5) 7 070 14


See also: 2007 Kentucky Wildcats football team

Alabama

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1 234Total
#21 Crimson Tide (7–6, 4–4) 6 303 12
• Bulldogs (6–4, 3–3) 0 1070 17


See also: 2007 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

Arkansas

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1 234Total
Bulldogs (6–5, 3–4) 7 01014 31
• Razorbacks (8–5, 4–4) 0 24714 45


See also: 2007 Arkansas Razorbacks football team

Ole Miss

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1 234Total
Rebels (3–9, 0–8) 7 070 14
• Bulldogs (7–5, 4–4) 0 0017 17


See also: Egg Bowl and Ole Miss Rebels football

UCF—Liberty Bowl

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2007 AutoZone Liberty Bowl
UCF Knights Mississippi State Bulldogs
(10–3, 7–1) (7–5, 4–4)
3 10
Head coach: 
George O'Leary		 Head coach: 
Sylvester Croom
1234 Total
UCF 0300 3
Mississippi State 0307 10
DateDecember 29, 2007
Season2007
StadiumLiberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
LocationMemphis, Tennessee
MVPDerek Pegues, FS, Mississippi State
FavoriteUCF by 3[10]
National anthemKallen Esperian
RefereeSun Belt officiating crew
Halftime showTaylor Hicks
Attendance63,816
United States TV coverage
NetworkESPN
AnnouncersTerry Gannon, David Norrie
See also: 2007 Liberty Bowl and 2007 UCF Knights football team

Personnel

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Coaching staff

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Name Responsibility Position Group Year Alma Mater
Sylvester Croom[11] Head Coach 4th University of Alabama (1975)
Woody McCorvey[12] Asst. Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator Quarterbacks 4th Alabama State University (1972)
Ellis Johnson[13] Defensive Coordinator Linebackers 4th The Citadel (1975)
Reed Stringer[14] Special Teams Coordinator Tight Ends 5th Delta State University (2001)
Rocky Felker[15] Recruiting Coordinator Running Backs 6th Mississippi State University (1972)
J.B. Grimes[16] Offensive Linemen 4th Henderson State University (1977)
Charlie Harbison[17] Safeties 1st Gardner–Webb University (1995)
David Turner[18] Defensive Linemen 1st Davidson College (1985)
Melvin Smith[19] Cornerbacks 2nd Millsaps College (1982)
Pat Washington[20] Wide Receivers 1st Auburn University (1987)
Ben Pollard[21] Head Strength & Conditioning Coach 1st Texas Tech University (1984)

Roster

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#[22] Name[22] Height[22] Weight[22] Class[22] Position[22] Hometown[22] Previous School(s)[22]
1 Keith Fitzhugh 5'11" 206 lbs. Jr. S Hampton, Georgia Lovejoy HS
2   Robert Elliot 6' 192 lbs. Fr. RB Okolona, Mississippi Okolona HS
3 Derek Pegues 5'10" 196 lbs. Jr. S Batesville, Mississippi South Panola HS
4 Tony Burks 6'4" 217 lbs. Sr. WR Gulfport, Mississippi Harrison Central HS, Miss. Gulf Coast CC
5 Gabe O'Neal 6'1" 220 lbs. Sr. LB Columbus, Mississippi Columbus HS
6 Demario Bobo 6' 180 lbs. Jr. S Courtland, Mississippi South Panola HS
7 Michael Henig 6'1" 195 lbs. Jr. QB Montgomery, Alabama Jefferson Davis HS
8 De'Mon Glanton 6'1" 190 lbs. Jr. S Atlanta Mays HS
9 Keon Humphries 5'10" 180 lbs. Jr. CB Montgomery, Alabama Lanier HS
10 Dominic Douglas 6'2" 227 lbs. Jr. LB Clinton, Mississippi Clinton HS, Hinds CC
11 Anthony Johnson 5'10" 194 lbs. So. CB Jackson, Mississippi Provine HS, Hargrave Military Academy
13 Wesley Carroll 6'1" 190 lbs. Fr. QB Ft. Lauderdale, Florida St. Thomas Aquinas HS
14   Chris Relf 6'3" 211 lbs. Fr. QB Montgomery, Alabama Carver HS
15 Co-Eric Riley 6'1" 200 lbs. Jr. WR Lucedale, Mississippi George County HS, Miss. Gulf Coast CC
16 Zack Harrington 6' 185 lbs. So. QB Hattiesburg, Mississippi Oak Grove HS, Southeastern Louisiana
17 Josh Riddell 6'1" 195 lbs. Jr. QB Salem, Oregon McKay HS, Foothill CC
18 Marcus Washington 5'10" 180 lbs. So. CB Missouri City, Texas Marshall HS
19 Anthony Summers 6'2" 188 lbs. So. S Olive Branch, Mississippi Olive Branch HS
20   Wade Bonner 5'10" 180 lbs. Fr. CB Mason, Tennessee Fayette-Ware HS
22 Jamar Chaney 6'1" 236 lbs. Jr. LB Ft. Pierce, Florida St. Lucie West Centennial HS
23 Jasper O'Quinn 5'10" 185 lbs. Jr. CB Bude, Mississippi Franklin County HS
24 Anthony Dixon 6'1" 240 lbs. So. RB Jackson, Mississippi Terry HS
25 Tyler Threadgill 5'10" 190 lbs. Sr. WR Philadelphia, Mississippi Philadelphia HS
26   Damein Anderson 5'11" 175 lbs. Fr. CB Hazlehurst, Mississippi Hazlehurst HS
26 Jarvis Williams 5'11" 170 lbs. So. CB Jackson, Mississippi Provine HS
27 Jarvis Kyles 6' 185 lbs. So. CB Milledgeville, Georgia Baldwin HS
28 Tay Bowser 6'3" 185 lbs. So. CB Gilmer, Texas Gilmer HS
29 Christian Ducré 6' 222 lbs. So. RB Mandeville, Louisiana Fontainebleau HS, Tulane University
30 Arnil Stallworth 5'10" 200 lbs. So. RB Daphne, Alabama Daphne HS
31   Jamie Jones 6' 215 lbs. Fr. LB Springdale, Arkansas Springdale HS
32   Marcus Green 6'2" 230 lbs. Fr. RB Scooba, Mississippi Kemper County HS
33 Justin Williams 5'10" 207 lbs. Sr. RB Tallulah, Louisiana McCall HS, Grambling State University
34 K.J. Wright 6'3" 215 lbs. Fr. LB Olive Branch, Mississippi Olive Branch HS
35 Brandon Hart 5'11" 240 lbs. Jr. FB LaGrange, Georgia Troup County HS
36 Jamon Hughes 6' 230 lbs. So. LB Rolling Fork, Mississippi Humphreys County HS
37 Adam Carlson 6'4" 195 lbs. Jr. K Gulfport, Mississippi Gulfport HS
38 Eric Hoskins 5'11" 230 lbs. Jr. FB Weir, Mississippi Weir HS, Holmes CC
39 Tim Bailey 6'3" 241 lbs. Jr. DE Glen Allan, Mississippi Riverside HS, Miss. Delta CC
40 Chris Nance 5'10" 182 lbs. Jr. CB Tuscumbia, Alabama Deshler HS, Northeast Miss. CC
41 Brad Moore 6'1" 190 lbs. RS Fr. K Starkville, Mississippi Starkville Academy
41   Eric Richards 6'4" 227 lbs. Fr. K Vicksburg, Mississippi Warren Central HS
42 Zach Smith 6' 180 lbs. Fr. S Altoona, Alabama Susan Moore HS
43 Blake McAdams 5'10" 190 lbs. Jr. P Ripley, Tennessee Ripley HS
44 Emmanuel Gatling 6'2" 200 lbs. RS Fr. S McAllen, Texas Rowe HS
44   Ethan Stockett 6'1" 255 lbs. Fr. FB Ft. Smith, Arkansas Southside HS
45 Ben Shelton 5'11" 196 lbs. Sr. WR Vicksburg, Mississippi Vicksburg HS, Hinds CC
46 Aaron Feld 6'1" 225 lbs. RS Fr. LS Homewood, Alabama Homewood HS
47 Ryan Mason 6'4" 217 lbs. Jr. WR Mobile, Alabama Shaw HS, Miss. Delta CC
48 Dezmond Sherrod 6'3" 245 lbs. Sr. TE Caledonia, Mississippi Caledonia HS
49   Terrell Johnson 6'2" 210 lbs. Fr. LB Silas, Alabama Southern Choctaw County HS
49 Taurus Young 5'8" 228 lbs. Jr. RB Kilmichael, Mississippi Montgomery County HS
50   Devon Edwards 6' 217 lbs. Fr. LB Coffeeville, Alabama Coffee County HS, Georgia Military College
51 Avery Hannibal 6'1" 240 lbs. Sr. DE LaGrange, Georgia Troup County HS
52 Karlin Brown 5'9" 195 lbs. Fr. LB Tallahassee, Florida Lincoln HS
53 Anthony Strauder 6'3" 290 lbs. Jr. OG Natchez, Mississippi Natchez HS
54 Titus Brown 6'3" 250 lbs. Sr. DE Tuscaloosa, Alabama Hillcrest HS
55   Quentin Saulsberry 6'3" 286 lbs. Fr. DT Coldwater, Mississippi Independence HS
56 Anthony Littlejohn 6'1" 230 lbs. Jr. LB Jacksonville, Florida Englewood HS
58 Johnny Carpenter 6'2" 290 lbs. So. C Citronelle, Alabama Citronelle HS
59 Mark Brown 5'11" 225 lbs. So. LB Madison, Mississippi Madison Central HS
60 J.D. Hamilton 6'4" 300 lbs. Sr. OT Natchez, Mississippi Natchez HS, Copiah-Lincoln CC
61 Mark Lynn 6' 210 lbs. RS Fr. LB Madison, Mississippi Madison Central HS
62   Addison Lawrence 6'4" 265 lbs. Fr. OT Coldwater, Mississippi Magnolia Heights HS
63 Chris Spencer 6'3" 305 lbs. So. OG Meridian, Mississippi Meridian HS
65 Anthony Bowles 5'11" 220 lbs. Jr. LS Grenada, Mississippi Grenada HS
66   D.J. Looney 6'1" 290 lbs. Fr. C Birmingham, Alabama Oak Mountain HS
67 Roland Terry 6'7" 298 lbs. Jr. OT Meridian, Mississippi Lamar Christian HS
68 Russell Jackson 6'2" 238 lbs. So. DE Athens, Alabama Athens HS
70 J.C. Brignone 6'1" 290 lbs. RS Fr. OG Pass Christian, Mississippi St. Stanislaus College HS
72 John McMillan 6'2" 285 lbs. RS Fr. OG Paragould, Arkansas Paragould HS
73   Dakota Merritt 6'5" 302 lbs. Fr. OT Cantonment, Florida West Florida Tech HS
74 Mark Melichar 6'5" 290 lbs. RS Fr. OT Birmingham, Alabama Oak Mountain HS
75 Craig Jenkins 6'4" 315 lbs. So. OG Pearl, Mississippi Pearl HS
76 Royce Blackledge 6'4" 293 lbs. Sr. C Sandersville, Mississippi Northeast Jones County HS
77 Michael Brown 6'5" 300 lbs. Jr. OT College Park, Georgia Westlake HS, University of Florida
78 Michael Gates 6'4" 305 lbs. Jr. OG Fairburn, Georgia Sandy Creek HS
79 Derek Sherrod 6'5" 298 lbs. Fr. OT Caledonia, Mississippi Caledonia HS
80 Alex Carpenter 6' 182 lbs. RS Fr. WR Biggersville, Mississippi Biggersville HS
81 Brandon McRae 6'4" 200 lbs. So. WR Chester, Virginia Monacan HS, Hargrave Military Academy, Morehead State University
82 Jason Husband 6'3" 230 lbs. Sr. TE Jackson, Mississippi Jim Hill HS
83 Austin Wilbanks 6'3" 245 lbs. So. TE Forest, Mississippi Forest HS, Mississippi College
84 Jeremy Jones 6'2" 275 lbs. Jr. FB Harvey, Louisiana West Jefferson Parish HS
85 Brandon Henderson 6'1" 250 lbs. RS Fr. TE Fayetteville, Georgia Fayette County HS
86 Lance Long 5'11" 186 lbs. Sr. WR Macomb, Michigan Eisenhower HS, University of Toledo
87 Aubrey Bell 6'3" 217 lbs. Jr. WR Prichard, Alabama Blount HS
88 Eric Butler 6'3" 255 lbs. Sr. TE Moss Point, Mississippi Moss Point HS
89 Jamayel Smith 6' 183 lbs. Jr. WR East Point, Georgia Riverwood HS, Hargrave Military Academy
90 Cortez McCraney 6'4" 272 lbs. Jr. DT Southaven, Mississippi Southaven HS, University of Memphis
91 Rodney Prince 6'3" 252 lbs. RS Fr. DE Irondale, Alabama Shades Valley HS
92   Charles Burns 6'3" 265 lbs. Jr. DE Hattiesburg, Mississippi Hattiesburg HS
93 Brandon Cooper 6'3" 240 lbs. RS Fr. DE Missouri City, Texas Marshall HS
94 Jessie Bowman 6'1" 305 lbs. Jr. DT Brookhaven, Mississippi Brookhaven HS, Copiah-Lincoln CC
95 Kyle Love 6'1" 312 lbs. So. DT Fairburn, Georgia North Clayton County HS
96 Reggie Odom 6' 295 lbs. RS Fr. DT DeLand, Florida DeLand HS
97 Jimmie Holmes 6'3" 235 lbs. Jr. DE Aiken, South Carolina Aiken HS, Miss. Delta CC
98 LaMarcus Williams 6'1" 290 lbs. Fr. DT Bastrop, Louisiana Bastrop HS
99 Quinton Wesley 6'4" 315 lbs. So. DT Atlanta Crim HS
Robert Ambers 5'11" 181 lbs. So. QB Venice, California Venice HS
Andrew Ellard 5'11" 180 lbs. So. WR Natchez, Mississippi Cathedral HS
  Robert Gurley 6'2" 190 lbs. Fr. S Dothan, Alabama Houston Academy
  Josh Hines 5'11" 215 lbs. Fr. LB Rome, Georgia Rome HS
  Cole Richardson 5'11" 180 lbs. Fr. P Hattiesburg, Mississippi Oak Grove HS
Major Sosebee 6'2" 185 lbs. So. WR Warrior, Alabama Sumiton Christian HS
  Kevin Valenti 5'10" 188 lbs. Fr. CB Tampa, Florida Jesuit HS
Davonne Wilson 6'3" 220 lbs. RS Fr. DE Smyrna, Georgia Campbell HS
  Spencer Yates 6'3" 250 lbs. Fr. OG Brandon, Mississippi Northwest Rankin County HS
  •   indicates players who are currently inactive during their redshirt season; Freshmen who are in their first season of active participation after redshirting are listed as "RS Fr."

Awards and honors

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Recipient Awards/Accolades
Michael Brown (OL) All-SEC Second Team (Coaches)[5]
Titus Brown (DL) All-SEC Second Team (AP, Coaches)[5]
Wesley Carroll (QB) SEC All-Freshman Team (Coaches)[5]
Jamar Chaney (LB) All-SEC Second Team (Coaches)[5]
Sylvester Croom (Coach) SEC Coach of the Year (AP, Coaches)[5]
Avery Hannibal (DL) SEC Defensive Player of the Week (10/27)[5]
Anthony Johnson (DB) SEC Defensive Player of the Week (11/10)[5]
Gabe O'Neal (LB) SEC Defensive Player of the Week (9/8)[5]
Derek Pegues (DB) All-SEC First Team (AP)[5]
All-SEC Second Team (Coaches)[5]
SEC Defensive Player of the Week (9/15)[5]
Anthony Strauder (OL) SEC Good Works Team[5]

References

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  1. ^ "2007 Southeastern Conference Year Summary". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  2. ^ "2007 SEC Football Media Days Voting Announced". SECsports.com. July 27, 2007. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "2007 SEC Football Preview - Mississippi State". SECsports.com. July 19, 2007. Archived from the original on January 2, 2008. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u "2006 Mississippi State football statistics". Mississippi State University Bulldogs. July 27, 2007. Archived from the original on December 6, 2009. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Mississippi State Athletics (December 29, 2007). "Mississippi State Bowl Media Guide" (PDF). XOS Product Marketing. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 25, 2011. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
  6. ^ "Football - 2007 Schedule". mstateathletics.com. Archived from the original on September 24, 2008. Retrieved October 27, 2009.
  7. ^ "LSU vs Mississippi State (Aug 30, 2007)". mstateathletics.com. August 30, 2007. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
  8. ^ "Tigers Back Up No. 2 Ranking With 45-0 Victory Over Bulldogs". Mississippi State University Bulldogs. August 30, 2007. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
  9. ^ "Mississippi State vs Tulane (Sep 08, 2007)". mstateathletics.com. September 8, 2007. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved January 11, 2008.
  10. ^ World Features Syndicate via Long Beach Press-Telegram, December 23, 2007
  11. ^ "Sylvester Croom – Head Football Coach". Mississippi State University Bulldogs. Archived from the original on September 19, 2008. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
  12. ^ "Woody McCorvey – Assistant Head Coach". Mississippi State University Bulldogs. Archived from the original on December 2, 2008. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
  13. ^ "Ellis Johnson – Assistant Coach". Mississippi State University Bulldogs. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
  14. ^ "Reed Stringer – Assistant Coach". Mississippi State University Bulldogs. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
  15. ^ "Rocky Felker – Assistant Coach". Mississippi State University Bulldogs. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
  16. ^ "J.B. Grimes – Assistant Coach". Mississippi State University Bulldogs. Archived from the original on June 10, 2009. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
  17. ^ "Charlie Harbison – Assistant Coach". Mississippi State University Bulldogs. Archived from the original on November 30, 2009. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
  18. ^ "David Turner – Assistant Coach". Mississippi State University Bulldogs. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
  19. ^ "Melvin Smith – Assistant Coach". Mississippi State University Bulldogs. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
  20. ^ "Pat Washington – Assistant Coach". Mississippi State University Bulldogs. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
  21. ^ "Ben Pollard – Head Strength Coach". Mississippi State University Bulldogs. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g h "Football – Roster". Mississippi State Bulldogs. Archived from the original on August 7, 2009. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
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