Mississippi State football: the history of Davis Wade Stadium
2001-2013
During the 2001 season, construction of an upper deck on the east side of the stadium was completed. Capacity increased from 40,656 to 55,082. At this time, only the playing surface would be called ‘Scott Field’, and structure itself called ‘Davis Wade Stadium’.
Permanent metal bleachers were installed in the north endzone in 2002. A 117′ x 47′ video board was built in 2008 above the M-Club.
Here’s a picture of the stadium at this time.
Top 10 games during this time period:
10. 2010: 24-12 over Georgia
This was Mark Richt’s worst year at Georgia, but it is significant because it was the first time State beat UGA since 1974. Granted, we don’t play them very often so the losing streak was 9 games spread out over 36 years, but it was a gratifying win that ended our two game losing streak at the time and propelled the 2010 team to a 9-4 season.
9. 2001: 16-14 loss to South Carolina
We all know what happened on September 11, 2001. In the days that followed all sports across the country were postponed – MSU’s game with BYU was played after the Egg Bowl. But the following week games were scheduled to resume, leaving Mississippi State’s Thursday night matchup with South Carolina as the first college football game to be played after the terrorist attacks.State lost the game 16-14. It was a game that was the first in many, many losses over the next six years, but this moment is about the celebration of the American spirit that took place that night.
You can watch the entire game in this video, but definitely watch the first 10 minutes.
8. 2009: Boobie runs over Houston
This is more of a “moment”, but I had to get our all-time leading rusher and Bulldog favorite Anthony Dixon in here with this run vs. Houston in 2009. State lost the game 31-24 to a good Cougar team coached by Kevin Sumlin, but not before Boobie made this incredible highlight reel play…
6. 2012: 41-31 over Tennessee
One of MSU’s all-time greats made a play when we needed someone to make a play.
State went into halftime with a 27-14 lead but the offense struggled in the second half. The third quarter brought the game closer, 27-24, and UT was poised to take the lead with their potent offense. Then Johnthan Banks strips the ball from Devrin Young and recovers the fumble.
The 30 yard field made things easier for the offense as Tyler Russell led them to a quick TD score to put MSU back up by 10. The Bulldogs went on to win the game making their record 6-0 for the season.
5. 2007: 17-14 over Ole Miss
In a game that MSU expected to win at home against an Ole Miss team that was 0-7 in the SEC, we found ourselves down 14-0 in the 4th quarter before Coach O went for it on 4th down at midfield. That changed the momentum and before you knew it the score was 14-7 and we had the ball in the redzone ready to tie it.
Unfortunately, Wesley Carrol threw an interception to end the threat – but after a defensive stop Derek Pegues created some magic with this thrilling punt return for a touchdown to tie the game with just under three minutes to play.
After another defensive stop MSU got the ball back with just over 40 seconds to play. Carroll drove 34 yards in 25 seconds to step up the game-winning 48 yard field goal by (the bloody toed) Adam Carlson.
4. 2009: Johnthan Banks pick-6 vs. Tim Tebow
I know this play happened in a loss, but if we had won that game this would be #1. I’d say it’s the second loudest Davis Wade ever was before the current expansion.
A 100-yard inception return for a touchdown by a true freshman off a Heisman Trophy winner QB and two-time national champion, vs. the #1 team in America, in a game that was still in doubt….mostly because of this play. Electrifying.
3. 2013: 17-10 over Ole Miss
Dak Prescott’s 4th & 2 conversion in overtime of the Egg Bowl, scoring the go-ahead (and game-winning) touchdown.
Despite only playing 29% of MSU’s drives in the game (4 of 14), Prescott led MSU to 49% of its total yards (146 of 296) and 59% of its points (10 of 17). Dak was 11 of 20 for 115 yards passing and ran it 9 times for 29 yards and this touchdown.
2. 2009: 41-27 over #20 Ole Miss
One of the most fun games to watch in this era of football at Davis Wade was the 2009 Battle for the Golden Egg. MSU won the game 41-27, putting an explanation point on the end of Dan Mullen’s first season in Starkville.
Ole Miss was a preseason top 10 team – State had a losing season in 7 of the previous 8 seasons. Coming into the game OM was 8-3 and nationally ranked while MSU was just 4-7. This game was a huge momentum shifter and Coach Mullen ignited the rivalry as he addressed the fans at DWS after the game.
"I know one thing, there’s certainly one program in this state that’s definitely on the rise and going the right way!"
1. 2007: 17-12 over #21 Alabama
After six long years of losing and losing and losing MSU finally had more than three wins in a season. In fact, the Bulldogs were on the cusp of bowl eligibility when Nick Saban’s #21 Crimson Tide came to Starkville in 2007.
Down 9-3 just before the half and Alabama driving, Anthony Johnson intercepted John Parker Wilson’s pass and took it the distance for one of the most exhilarating moments in MSU history! It is the loudest Davis Wade has ever been.
Mississippi State won the game 17-12 and finally went back to a bowl game.
Next: 2014-present