Mississippi State Football vs. Illinois: Highlights, final score, and analysis

The Mississippi State football team defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini in today’s ReliaQuest Bowl, 19-10.

Here are my early post-game thoughts:

Winning this game was huge for many reasons.

The obvious reason is winning this game was huge for this coaching staff and players after the passing of Mississippi State football head coach, Mike Leach. This win was a great way to pay tribute to Michael Charles Leach.

Secondly, winning this game was huge for momentum. Mississippi State football had not won 9 games since 2017. The 2023 Mississippi State football season will be one of the most anticipated college football seasons in history. Zach Arnett will have his work cut out for him this off-season.

Mississippi State Football head coach, Zach Arnett, must hire a solid offensive coordinator.

It was obvious that Mike Leach was not calling the plays in today’s ReliaQuest Bowl. Honestly, I feel as if Will Rogers was calling the majority of the plays whether it was an audible or read play.

Zach Arnett has a big task on his hands to hire a really good play-caller. With Will Rogers coming back to the Mississippi State Football offense in 2023, I think it would be smart to hire someone who has some sort of experience with the Air Raid offense.

The Mississippi State football coach may have been having interviews with offensive play-callers over the offseason, but nothing was announced before the bowl game.

Expect to hear something about this hire over the next few days or weeks.

Someone needs to challenge Will Rogers this Spring.

Mississippi State football quarterback, Will Rogers did not have a great end to the 2022 college football season, including today’s ReliaQuest Bowl. Rogers finished the game with 261 passing yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions, and 1 reception (thanks to the pass from Jaden Walley).

Will Rogers could not seem to find a strong rhythm in the last five games of the 2022 season. Mississippi State needs someone in the quarterback room that can compete with Will Rogers for the starting position in 2023. I believe this would make Rogers better and the entire quarterback room better. Could that guy be Chris Parson? We shall see.

The last play of the game was an extra touchdown for Mike Leach.

The Illinois Fighting Illini attempted a passing lateral play on the final play of the game, and the ball was recovered by Mississippi State’s defense and returned for a touchdown. That touchdown was for you, Coach Leach.