Posted: Nov 22, 2012 10:15 AM
Updated: Nov 22, 2012 10:15 AM
STARKVILLE, Miss. - Quarterback Tyler Russell and receiver Chad Bumphis have given Mississippi State a passing offense never seen before in program history.
The Bulldogs have earned a ground-bound reputation over the years - producing NFL-quality backs like Anthony Dixon and Vick Ballard - but haven't been particularly effective throwing the football. That's changed this season, and it's helped push the Bulldogs into the upper half of the Southeastern Conference.
Now No. 25 Mississippi State (8-3, 4-3 SEC) will try to use its newfound passing prowess to beat rival Mississippi (5-6, 2-5) in the Egg Bowl for a fourth straight season.
Russell already holds the school's single-season records for passing yards (2,523), completions (201) touchdowns (21) and 200-yard games (7).
Bumphis has caught 49 passes for 758 yards and an SEC-leading 10 touchdowns.