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Mississippi State bowl game history: Every bowl game the Bulldogs have played in

By Ethan Lee

TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 02: Nathaniel Watson #14, Will Rogers III #2, and Jett Johnson #44 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs wave a Mike flag in memory of Mike Leach after defeating the Illinois Fighting Illini 19-10 in the ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on January 02, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 02: Nathaniel Watson #14, Will Rogers III #2, and Jett Johnson #44 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs wave a Mike flag in memory of Mike Leach after defeating the Illinois Fighting Illini 19-10 in the ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on January 02, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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A Bowl Season logo is displayed on the field before the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl
EL PASO, TEXAS – DECEMBER 30: A Bowl Season logo is displayed on the field before the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl game between the Pittsburgh Panthers and the UCLA Bruins at Sun Bowl Stadium on December 30, 2022 in El Paso, Texas. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

1974 Sun Bowl: MSU Bulldogs run the heck out of the ball vs. the North Carolina Tar Heels

And we’re off to El Paso! It took 11 years from the Bulldogs’ last bowl appearance, but Mississippi State made it to the Sun Bowl to meet up with the North Carolina Tar Heels on December 28, 1974.

MSU entered the game with eight wins and brought plenty of momentum with it.

And of course, the Bulldogs were able to run the absolute heck out of the ball. In total, Mississippi State ran for 455 yards. Interestingly enough, the Bulldogs really didn’t even try to throw the ball and State only attempted eight passes on the day.

But even though MSU’s rushing attack couldn’t be stopped, the Bulldogs didn’t simply just easily run away with this game. North Carolina’s offense managed to give MSU plenty of trouble. The Tar Heels weren’t quite as one-sided on how they attacked Mississippi State’s defense, but they did run for 277 yards against State.

Still, Miss. State was able to get away with a 28-26 win over the Tar Heels and Mississippi State head coach Bob Tyler was able to beat Mississippi State alum (and UNC head coach) Bill Dooley.

Oh, and those 455 rushing yards? That’s a Sun Bowl record. The Bulldogs finished the season at 9-3 and ranked No. 18 in the country.

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