5 Most Important Spring Games From the Dan Mullen Era of Mississippi State Football

By Ethan Lee | Apr 18, 2018

STARKVILLE, MS - NOVEMBER 11: Aeris Williams #22 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs dives in for the touchdown as Keith Holcombe #42 and Rashaan Evans #32 of the Alabama Crimson Tide try to tackle him during the first half of an NCAA football game at Davis Wade Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images) /

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2010

The 2010 spring game is important for a few reasons. Mississippi State football was moving into the second year of Dan Mullen’s tenure and fans were excited from the results of the 2009 season. There was reason to believe that Mississippi State could make a bowl in 2010.

The Bulldogs brought in a young defensive coordinator that many were impressed with. Manny Diaz had moved to Starkville after coaching at Middle Tennessee State and became Mullen’s guy for the defense. It didn’t last very long, but fans were excited by the hire.

Plus, Chris Relf and Vick Ballard appeared ready to run all over the SEC. Relf didn’t appear to be a talented thrower by any means, but he was a bruising runner that and he had Tyler Russell right behind him.

Both quarterbacks shined at times during the spring game and, well, Dan Mullen would use them both pretty heavily over the next couple of years.

Now, to number three.

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