Mississippi State to face Texas Tech in Liberty Bowl

Posted December 05, 2021 6:00 am

By The Associated Press

Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers (2) passes against Mississippi during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) The Associated Press

Mississippi St. (7-5, SEC) vs Texas Tech (6-6, Big 12), Dec. 28, 6:45 p.m. ET

LOCATION: Memphis, Tennessee.

TOP PLAYERS

Mississippi St: Quarterback Will Rogers, just a sophomore, leads the country in completions and completion percentage and ranks second in passing yardage.

Texas Tech: PK Jonathan Garibay is the team's lone first-team All-Big 12 Conference player. He made 13 of 14 field goals, including an FBS-recprd 62-yarder as time expired to beat Iowa State on Nov. 13.

NOTABLE

Mississippi State: Coach Mike Leach has led his teams to 18 bowl games in 20 years as a head coach, including all 10 seasons at Texas Tech. The Bulldogs played in Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium already this season, losing 31-29 to Memphis on Sept. 18.

Texas Tech: Interim coach Sonny Cumbie, who played for Leach at Texas Tech, will lead bowl preparations before returning to his new job as Louisiana Tech's head coach. Baylor assistant and longtime Texas high school coach Joey McGuire was hired nearly a month ago and takes over the Red Raiders following the season.

LAST TIME

Mississippi State 20, Texas Tech 16. (Oct. 17, 1970)

BOWL HISTORY

Mississippi State: Twelfth consecutive bowl appearance, going 7-4 during that stretch and 14-10 overall in the postseason.

Texas Tech: First postseason trip since 2017 and first appearance in the Liberty Bowl. Making 39th overall bowl appearance.

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Texas Tech's Jonathan Garibay (46) kicks the game-winning 62-yard field goal during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa State, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Brad Tollefson) The Associated Press

Mississippi State coach Mike Leach looks downfield at his players during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against Tennessee State, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Starkville, Miss. Mississippi State won 55-10. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) The Associated Press

Texas Tech interim head coach Sonny Cumbie call the referees in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Baylor, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson) The Associated Press

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