Live Blog: Mizzou Football Visits Mississippi State

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Third quarter

Mizzou takes first lead after highlight play: MIZ 17, MISS ST 14 - 10:50 remaining in Q3

With pressure coming, Simmons threw a drop off to Lee who secured a first down and then spun off a defender for a touchdown. Simmons is up to 176 passing yards and two scores and Lee has accumulated 42 yards on five receptions. The 21-yard reception was his longest of the day.

Mizzou starts second half with short field: MISS ST 14, MIZ 10 - 14:50 remaining in Q3

After a punt return touchdown in Week 3, DaMarion Fowlkes returns the Bulldogs' kickoff 54 yards to set the Tigers up 43 yards from the endzone.

Second quarter

Daeden Hopkins keeps Tigers out of trouble: MISS ST 14, MIZ 10 - HALFTIME

Hopkins' second sack of the game stops the Bulldogs in the red zone on third down. Mississippi State was unable to score following the play. The Bulldogs were given ample opportunity in the redzone after storming down the field, but the Tigers stopped the run twice and Hopkins' tackle topped off the defensive statement.

Mississippi State given chance before halftime: MISS ST 14, MIZ 10 - 1:24 remaining in Q2

Following a hands to the face penalty from Jeremiah Beasley, the Bulldogs were given the ball at their own 35-yard line, with plenty of time until halftime.

Simmons delivers tight-window touchdown: MISS ST 14, MIZ 10 - 6:09 remaining in Q2

On third-and-goal at the nine-yard line, Simmons rifled the football through multiple Bulldog defenders, resulting in a Donovan Olugbode touchdown. After four drives in Mississippi State territory that resulted in just three points, the Tigers get their biggest blow of the game.

Trajen Greco intercepts Taylor: MISS ST 14, MIZ 3 - 7:43 remaining in Q2

Taylor's overthrown pass landed in Greco's hands, who took the ball back to the Bulldogs' 27-yard line.

Mizzou falters in red zone, secures field goal: MISS ST 14, MIZ 3 - 7:59 remaining in Q2

The Tigers had a second-and-three just nine yards from the endzone, but after a holding penalty from Curtis Peagler and two runs, Missouri opted for a Blake Craig kick. The attempt was good from 35 yards out.

Mississippi State gives Mizzou short field: MISS ST 14, MIZ 0 - 11:12 remaining in Q2

In the Bulldogs' first three-and-out of the game, they were jammed up near their own endzone, giving the Tigers the ball at their 49-yard line following a punt. Mizzou has made it into the Bulldogs' field territory all three possessions, but are yet to score.

First quarter

Crafty play puts Bulldogs up two scores: MISS ST 14, MIZ 0 - End of Q1

After storming down the field backed by multiple Fluff Bothwell explosions, the Bulldogs' offense ended the drive with a quick six-yard flick from Taylor to Bothwell. Taylor seemingly deceived some Tigers who were forced to respect his legs, leading to an open Bothwell in the endzone.

Mizzou leaves empty-handed after long drive: MISS ST 7, MIZ 0 - 3:07 remaining in Q1

The Tigers stomped down to the Mississippi State 27-yard line, before a five-yard sack on third down set up a 52-yard attempt from Blake Craig. The attempt was no good, leading to an empty drive that lasted nearly six minutes. Austin Simmons is 6-for-12 with 70 yards, after attempting several deep balls early on.

Kamario Taylor strikes first: MISS ST 7, MIZ 0 - 8:56 remaining in Q1

Taylor unloads a 43-yard touchdown pass to Sanfrisco Magee to put the Bulldogs up a score early. Santana Banner was in coverage on the play and was simply outpaced by Mcgee.

Tigers stuffed on fourth down: MISS ST 0, MIZ 0 - 10:20 remaining in Q1

After a 17-yard gain from Jamal Roberts on third-and-20, the Tigers opted to go for fourth down from Mississippi State's 36-yard line. Simmons was unable to find a receiver and tried to outrun the Bulldogs but was unsuccesful, leading to a short sack.

Daeden Hopkins stops State early: MISS ST 0, MIZ 0 - 13:22 remaining in Q1

An early sack from the sophomore forced a third-and-14 and ultimately forced the Bulldogs to punt. Mississippi State gave up three sacks in Week 3.

Missouri loses coin toss, Mississippi State starts with ball

The bulldogs opted to start with the ball and will have the football at its own 25-yard line, backed by an offense that has impressed through three weeks.

Pregame

Kamario Taylor and cowbells are a staple of Starkville, Mississippi, here's a peep at the Bulldogs' beloved duo.

Sophomore sensation Kamario Taylor is greeted by a frenzy of cowbells ahead of #Mizzou vs. Mississippi State. pic.twitter.com/ICXvB5dCz5
— Zachary Knox-Doyle (@zachkd29) September 26, 2026

Once the 90-minute clock started running down, the Mississippi State cowbells erupted, giving the Tigers a glimpse of how loud the Bulldogs fans can get.

As soon as the 90-minute clock started counting down in Starkville, Mississippi, the cowbells erupted. #Mizzou vs Mississippi State kicks off at 6:45 p.m. pic.twitter.com/r5L89Zcp0H
— Mizzou on KCSN (@mizzou_kcsn) September 26, 2026

STARKVILLE, Miss. — No. 19 Mizzou (3-0) is set to take on No. 24 Mississippi State (3-0, 1-0 in the Southeastern Conference) in Davis Wade Stadium at 6:45 p.m. Saturday. The matchup is the Tigers' SEC opener and the last of six ranked matchups in Week 4.

A victory for the Tigers would be their first against a ranked conference opponent since 2023 and a win for Mississippi State would mark its first since 2022. Not only will the game be a milestone for the victor, it is also just the seventh game between the squads, with Missouri leading the series 4-2. In Starkville, the teams have split two matchups, 1-1.

Saturday marks the third straight year of this matchup with Missouri winning the two previous contests. In 2024, Missouri took down Mississippi State on Bulldog turf 39-20 and last year came out on top 49-27. In both matchups Missouri came in as the better team — the Tigers were 6-3 (2-3 SEC) compared to Mississippi State's 5-5 (1-5 SEC) record in 2025 and were 7-3 (3-3 SEC) while the Bulldogs were 2-8 (0-6 SEC) in 2024 — but this year, the teams are well matched.

Mississippi State is freshly ranked, coming off a 41-34 victory on the road against South Carolina, while the Tigers started the season at No. 25 and climbed the rankings following wins over Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Kansas and Troy.

The Bulldogs are led by sophomore quarterback Kamario Taylor, who has thrown 11 touchdowns and one interception through three games. The early Heisman candidate has already surpassed 1,000 all-purpose yards and is known as a dual-threat quarterback and a deep ball threat. Taylor has three receivers that have totaled three touchdowns on the season, headlined by Anthony Evans III who has totaled 294 yards in the young season.

On the defensive side, Mississippi State is not as established after giving up 34 points to South Carolina in Week 3. Despite the Gamecocks' large point total, the Bulldogs still accumulated two takeaways and two sacks. Florida State transfer Amaree Williams logged 10 tackles and a sack and is one player Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz said is physical and a "tremendous challenge."

On the Tigers' side, they will be looking to snap a seven-game losing streak against ranked conference opponents and bounce back from last weeks 27-17 victory over Troy. Although Missouri came out victorious, the Tigers had to work back from down 10-0 in the second quarter.

Missouri will look towards a stronger passing game after an 108 yard performance from Austin Simmons and are in need of improvement in a secondary that gave up two deep balls in Week 3. Sophomore standout Daeden Hopkins is someone to keep an eye on following his season-best performance against the Bulldogs last year.

The potential key factor in this game could be time of possession, as both teams struggled to command the field in Week 3. Missouri spent less than 23 minutes on offense in its slim victory and the Bulldogs spent less than 26 minutes on offense.

The matchup will be Mississippi State's second home game of the year and a contest in which the fans will attempt to break the world record of most cowbells ringing simultaneously.

How to Watch: Mizzou Football at Mississippi State

Who: Missouri (3-0) at Mississippi State (3-0)

When: Saturday, Sept. 26, 6:45 p.m. CT

Where: Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi

TV: SEC Network

Series: Missouri leads 4-2

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