LSU–Mississippi State football rivalry explained

Wide:	yes
LSU–Mississippi State football rivalry
Team1logo:	Louisiana State University (block logo).svg
Team2logo:	Mississippi State Bulldogs logo.svg
Firstmeeting:	November 20, 1896 LSU, 52–0
Mostrecent:	September 16, 2023 LSU, 41–14
Total:	117
Series:	LSU leads 75–36–3^[1]
Largestvictory:	LSU, 55–0 (1967) & 61–6 (1969)
Longeststreak:	LSU, 14 (2000–2013)
Currentstreak:	LSU, 3 (2021–present)

The LSU–Mississippi State football rivalry,^[2] sometimes informally known as “Cowbells vs Cajuns” is an American college football rivalry between the LSU Tigers and Mississippi State Bulldogs.^{[3] [4]} Both universities are founding members of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and are currently members of the SEC West with a total of 117 meetings. This rivalry is LSU's longest and Mississippi State's second behind the Egg Bowl against the University of Mississippi. LSU leads the series 75–36–3. ^[5]

History

From 1923 to 1930, every game was played in the state of Mississippi, and LSU hosted every game from 1934 to 1957, and only four games in the series were played outside of Baton Rouge from 1934 to 1973 in order for State to realize a larger gate by playing at Tiger Stadium, which had a much larger capacity than the Bulldogs' home fields in Starkville and Jackson.^[6]

Due to SEC expansion, the schools will not play each other in 2024, the first break in the series since 1943, when the Maroons did not field a team during World War II. It will be the first time the teams will not play in a season in which both field a team since 1925.

Notable games

• 1991: William "Sleepy" Robinson led Mississippi State to a 28–19 victory in Tiger Stadium. LSU's Todd Kinchen had a then-school record 248 receiving yards in the loss.^[7]
• 1999: The #7 Bulldogs gutted out a 17–16 win over the Tigers at Scott Field. Rod Gibson the clinching touchdown in closing minutes.^[8]
• 2000: After falling behind 31–17, the Tigers rallied to beat the Bulldogs 45–38 in overtime.^[9]
• 2009: Mississippi State outgained the Tigers by over 100 yards and drove down to the 1 yard line in the final minute, but a goal-line stand by LSU saved the lead for a 30–26 Tiger win.^[10]
• 2014: Dak Prescott led the then-unranked Bulldogs to a 34–29 upset in Baton Rouge, snapping the Tigers' 14-game win streak in the series. The Bulldogs actually led 34–10 in the fourth quarter, but LSU scored 3 late touchdowns to almost close the gap. However, the Tigers' Hail Mary on the final play was intercepted by Will Redmond. Josh Robinson ran for 197 yards for the Bulldogs. This was Mississippi State's first win over LSU since 1999, and their first on the road in Baton Rouge since 1991. Mississippi State reached #1 in the rankings a few weeks later, and finished 10–3 on the season.^[11]
• 2017: LSU came into Starkville ranked #12 under first-year head coach Ed Orgeron, but it was the unranked Bulldogs who won in a 37–7 rout.^[12] Nick Fitzgerald threw two touchdown passes and ran in two more, and the Bulldogs outgained the Tigers 465–270. It was also the first win over LSU at home in Starkville for the Bulldogs since 1999 and the first time they beat a ranked LSU team there since 1984.
• 2022: Brian Kelly, in his SEC debut for the Tigers, led the team to a 31–16 comeback victory in Tiger Stadium. LSU Nickel Back Jay Ward earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors following his impressive performance. Ward finished with 11 tackles, along with 1.5 tackles for loss and the game-sealing interception. ^{[13] [14]}

See also

• List of NCAA college football rivalry games
• List of most-played college football series in NCAA Division I

Notes and References

1. Web site: Winsipedia – LSU Tigers vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs football series history. Winsipedia.
2. Web site: LSU vs. Mississippi State: 5 memorable games. The Advocate. Scott Rabalais. September 15, 2017 . June 21, 2018.
3. Web site: LSU–Mississippi State football rivalry. wwl.radio.com. June 21, 2018.
4. Web site: LSU Tigers vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs. bleacherreport.com. June 21, 2018.
5. Web site: Winsipedia College Football Database: LSU vs. Mississippi State. Winsipedia.com. December 10, 2019.
6. The Knights Who Say, Bayou Blogger Relocated. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
7. Web site: 12 Statistical Highlights from LSU vs. Mississippi State Games. November 8, 2012. AthlonSports.com. Athlon Sports. Snow. Patrick.
8. Web site: Top 10 Moments in Scott Field History; #7: Beating LSU in 1999. MaroonandWhiteNation.com. June 19, 2014 . SB Nation.
9. Web site: Top 10 'Oh, So Close' Games in the Last 20 Years; #3: 2000 vs. LSU. MaroonandWhiteNation.com. July 4, 2012 . SB Nation.
10. Web site: LSU stops Mississippi St. at goal line to secure victory. https://web.archive.org/web/20131219011804/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=292690344. dead. December 19, 2013. September 26, 2009. ESPN.com.
11. News: Dak Prescott leads Mississippi State to first win at No. 8 LSU since 1991 . ESPN. September 20, 2014. September 20, 2014.
12. Web site: Mississippi State routs No. 12 LSU 37–7. September 17, 2017. ESPN.com.
13. Web site: Huber @peter_rauterkus & @HenryHuber_ . Peter Rauterkus & Henry . Football Notebook: LSU looks to remain consistent after win over Mississippi State . September 20, 2022 . The Reveille . September 19, 2022 . en.
14. Web site: Rauterkus @peter_rauterkus . Peter . 'Paralysis by analysis': Second half adjustments lead LSU to win over Mississippi State . September 20, 2022 . The Reveille . September 17, 2022 . en.