2018_Mississippi_State_Bulldogs_football_team
2018 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team
American college football season
The 2018 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team represented Mississippi State University in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bulldogs played their home games at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi and competed in the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They were led by first-year head coach Joe Moorhead. Mississippi State subsequently vacated all eight victories due to NCAA sanctions due to academic misconduct involving 10 players and a tutor in online coursework.[1][2]
Quick Facts Mississippi State Bulldogs football, Outback Bowl, L 22–27 vs. Iowa ...
| 2018 Mississippi State Bulldogs football | |
|---|---|
 | |
Outback Bowl, L 22–27 vs. Iowa | |
| Conference | Southeastern Conference |
| Division | Western Division |
| Ranking | |
| Coaches | No. 25 |
| Record | 0–5, 8 wins vacated (0–4 SEC, 4 wins vacated) |
| Head coach |
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| Offensive coordinator | Luke Getsy (1st season) |
| Offensive scheme | Spread |
| Defensive coordinator | Bob Shoop (1st season) |
| Base defense | 4–3 |
| Home stadium | Davis Wade Stadium |
Seasons | |
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More information Conf, Overall ...
| Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| East Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 7т Georgia x | 7 | – | 1 | 11 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 12 Kentucky | 5 | – | 3 | 10 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 7т Florida | 5 | – | 3 | 10 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Carolina | 4 | – | 4 | 7 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Missouri | 4 | – | 4 | 8 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vanderbilt | 3 | – | 5 | 6 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tennessee | 2 | – | 6 | 5 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| West Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 2 Alabama x$^ | 8 | – | 0 | 14 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 16 Texas A&M | 5 | – | 3 | 9 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 6 LSU | 5 | – | 3 | 10 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mississippi State* | 4 | – | 4 | 8 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Auburn | 3 | – | 5 | 8 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ole Miss | 1 | – | 7 | 5 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Arkansas | 0 | – | 8 | 2 | – | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Championship: Alabama 35, Georgia 28 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Award watch lists
Listed in the order that they were released
More information Award, Player ...
| Award | Player | Position | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lott Trophy[3] | Jeffery Simmons | DT | JR |
| Rimington Trophy[4] | Elgton Jenkins | C | SR |
| Chuck Bednarik Award[5] | Montez Sweat | DE | SR |
| Jeffery Simmons | DT | JR | |
| Maxwell Award[6] | Nick Fitzgerald | QB | SR |
| Davey O'Brien Award[7] | Nick Fitzgerald | QB | SR |
| Doak Walker Award[8] | Aeris Williams | RB | SR |
| Bronko Nagurski Trophy[9] | Jeffery Simmons | DT | JR |
| Montez Sweat | DE | SR | |
| Outland Trophy[10] | Jeffery Simmons | DT | JR |
| Lou Groza Award[11] | Jace Christmann | K | SO |
| Paul Hornung Award[12] | Deddrick Thomas | WR/KR | JR |
| Wuerffel Trophy[13] | Gerri Green | LB | SR |
| Ted Hendricks Award[14] | Montez Sweat | DE | SR |
| Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award[15] | Nick Fitzgerald | QB | SR |
| Manning Award[16] | Nick Fitzgerald | QB | SR |
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SEC media poll
The SEC media poll was released on July 20, 2018 with the Bulldogs predicted to finish in third place in the West Division.[17]
More information Predicted finish, Team ...
| Media poll (West) | ||
| Predicted finish | Team | Votes (1st place) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alabama | 1,971 (263) |
| 2 | Auburn | 1,664 (19) |
| 3 | Mississippi State | 1,239 (2) |
| 4 | Texas A&M | 1,091 |
| 5 | LSU | 1,025 |
| 6 | Ole Miss | 578 |
| 7 | Arkansas | 412 |
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Preseason All-SEC teams
The Bulldogs had five players selected to the preseason all-SEC teams.
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Offense 3rd team Nick Fitzgerald – QB Aeris Williams – RB |
Defense 1st team Montez Sweat – DL Jeffery Simmons – DL 3rd team Mark McLaurin – DB
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All eight victories were subsequently vacated as part of NCAA sanctions due to academic misconduct involving a tutor and online coursework.[1][2]
More information Date, Time ...
| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 1 | 6:30 p.m. | Stephen F. Austin* | No. 18 | ESPNU | W 63–6 (vacated) | 54,289 | |
| September 8 | 11:00 a.m. | at Kansas State* | No. 18 | ESPN | W 31–10 (vacated) | 49,784 | |
| September 15 | 6:30 p.m. | Louisiana* | No. 16 |
| ESPN2 | W 56–10 (vacated) | 56,505 |
| September 22 | 6:00 p.m. | at Kentucky | No. 14 | ESPN2 | L 7–28 | 60,037 | |
| September 29 | 5:00 p.m. | Florida | No. 23 |
| ESPN | L 6–13 | 61,406 |
| October 6 | 6:30 p.m. | No. 8 Auburn |
| ESPN2 | W 23–9 (vacated) | 60,635 | |
| October 20 | 6:00 p.m. | at No. 5 LSU | No. 22 | ESPN | L 3–19 | 101,340 | |
| October 27 | 6:00 p.m. | No. 16 Texas A&M |
| ESPN | W 28–13 (vacated) | 57,085 | |
| November 3 | 6:30 p.m. | Louisiana Tech* | No. 18 |
| SECN | W 45–3 (vacated) | 58,709 |
| November 10 | 2:30 p.m. | at No. 1 Alabama | No. 16 | CBS | L 0–24 | 101,821 | |
| November 17 | 11:00 a.m. | Arkansas | No. 21 |
| ESPN | W 52–6 (vacated) | 57,772 |
| November 22 | 6:30 p.m. | at Ole Miss | No. 18 | ESPN | W 35–3 (vacated) | 56,561 | |
| January 1 | 11:00 a.m. | vs. Iowa* | No. 18 | ESPN2 | L 22–27 | 40,518 | |
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- Schedule Source:[18]
Further information: 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings
Stephen F. Austin
More information Total ...
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lumberjacks | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| No. 18 Bulldogs | 21 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 63 |
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At Kansas State
More information Total ...
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 18 Bulldogs | 3 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 31 |
| Wildcats | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
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See also: 2018 Kansas State Wildcats football team
Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald made his first appearance on the football fields since November 2017, when a foot injury sidelined him for the season and a 1-game suspension kept him out of the season opener. Fitzgerald threw for 154 yards with two touchdowns and ran for another 159 yards. Mississippi State compiled a total of 538 yards of total offense where Kansas State only managed 213.
Kansas State continued with its two-quarterback system, switching snaps between Skylar Thompson and Alex Delton. Kansas State running back Alex Barnes managed 75 yards rushing, but the Wildcats fell short to lose the game 31-10.[19]
Louisiana
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
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More information Pregame line, Over/under ...
| Pregame line | Over/under |
|---|---|
| Mississippi State | −34.5 |
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More information Statistics, Louisiana ...
| Statistics | Louisiana | Mississippi State |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 13 | 29 |
| Total yards | 310 | 607 |
| Rushing yards | 65 | 331 |
| Passing yards | 245 | 276 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 27:01 | 32:59 |
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More information Team, Category ...
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | Passing | Andre Nunez | 21–29, 224 yards |
| Rushing | Trey Ragas | 7 carries, 49 yards | |
| Receiving | Keenan Barnes | 4 receptions, 76 yards | |
| Mississippi State | Passing | Nick Fitzgerald | 14–21, 243 yards, 2 TDs |
| Rushing | Nick Fitzgerald | 15 carries, 107 yards, 4 TDs | |
| Receiving | Keith Mixon | 4 receptions, 80 yards, 1 TD |
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At Kentucky
See also: 2018 Kentucky Wildcats football team
More information Period, Total ...
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 14 Bulldogs | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Wildcats | 0 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 28 |
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No. 14 Mississippi State at Kentucky
at Kroger Field, Lexington, Kentucky
- Date: September 22, 2018
- Game time: 7:00 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 60,037
- TV announcers (ESPN2): Beth Mowins (play-by-play), Anthony Becht (analyst), Rocky Boiman (sideline reporter)
Florida
See also: 2018 Florida Gators football team
More information Period, Total ...
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 0 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 13 |
| No. 23 Mississippi State | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
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More information Game information ...
| Game information | ||
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Florida Gators at Mississippi State Bulldogs – Game summary
at Davis Wade Stadium • Starkville, Mississippi
- Date: September 29, 2018
- Game time: 6:00 p.m.
- Game weather: Temperature: 79 °F (26 °C) • Wind: N at 1 mile per hour (1.6 km/h) • Weather: Partly cloudy
- Game attendance: 61,406
- Referee: Matt Austin
- TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Pasch, Greg McElroy, Tom Luginbill[20]
- Boxscore
Auburn
See also: 2018 Auburn Tigers football team
More information Period, Total ...
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 8 Auburn | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 9 |
| Mississippi State | 3 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 23 |
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More information Game information ...
| Game information | ||
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No. 8 Auburn Tigers at Mississippi State Bulldogs – Game summary
at Davis Wade Stadium • Starkville, Mississippi
- Date: October 6, 2018
- Game time: 6:35 p.m.
- Game weather: Temperature: 81° • Wind: SE 3 mph • Weather: Clear skies
- Game attendance: 60,635
- Referee: James Carter
- TV announcers (ESPN2): Mark Jones (play-by-play), Dusty Dvoracek (analyst), Molly McGrath (sideline reporter)
At LSU
More information Period, Total ...
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 22 Bulldogs | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| No. 5 Tigers | 7 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 19 |
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More information Game information ...
| Game information | ||
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Mississippi State at LSU – Game summary
Texas A&M
See also: 2018 Texas A&M Aggies football team
More information Period, Total ...
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 16 Aggies | 0 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 13 |
| Bulldogs | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 28 |
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More information Game information ...
| Game information | ||
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Week Nine: Texas A&M Aggies at Mississippi State – Game summary
at Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, MS
- Date: October 27
- Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
- Game attendance: 57,085
- TV: ESPN
Louisiana Tech
More information Period, Total ...
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LT Bulldogs | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| No. 21 MSU Bulldogs | 21 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 45 |
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More information Game information ...
| Game information | ||
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Louisiana Tech at Mississippi State – Game summary
at Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, MS
- Date: November 3
- Game time: 6:30 p.m. CST
- Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C); clear
- Game attendance: 58,709
- TV: SEC Network
At Alabama
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
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Statistics
More information Statistics, Mississippi State ...
| Statistics | Mississippi State | Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 6 | 23 |
| Total yards | 169 | 305 |
| Rushes–yards | 30–44 | 45–142 |
| Passing yards | 125 | 163 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 11–20–0 | 17–27–1 |
| Time of possession | 26:05 | 33:55 |
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More information Team, Category ...
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi State | Passing | Nick Fitzgerald | 11–20, 125 yards |
| Rushing | Kylin Hill | 7 carries, 47 yards | |
| Receiving | Deddrick Thomas | 2 receptions, 25 yards | |
| Alabama | Passing | Tua Tagovailoa | 14–21, 164 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Josh Jacobs | 20 carries, 97 yards, 1 TD | |
| Receiving | Jerry Jeudy | 6 receptions, 45 yards |
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Arkansas
See also: 2018 Arkansas Razorbacks football team
More information Period, Total ...
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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| Razorbacks | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| No. 25 Bulldogs | 3 | 14 | 21 | 14 | 52 |
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More information Game information ...
| Game information | ||
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Game Eleven – Arkansas Razorbacks (2–8) at Mississippi State Bulldogs (6–4)
at Davis Wade Stadium • Starkville, Mississippi
- Date: Saturday, November 17, 2018
- Game time: 11:00 a.m. CST
- Game weather: Clear • Temperature: 59 °F (15 °C) • Wind: SSE 2 mph
- Game attendance: 57,772
- Referee: Matt Loeffler (SEC)
- TV announcers (ESPN): Adam Amin (play-by-play), Rod Gilmore (color), Quint Kessenich (sideline)
- Pregame line: Mississippi State –23 • Odds to win: Mississippi State 93.2%
At Ole Miss
See also: 2018 Ole Miss Rebels football team and Egg Bowl
More information Period, Total ...
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 22 Bulldogs | 7 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 35 |
| Rebels | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
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More information Game information ...
| Game information | ||
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No. 22 Mississippi State Bulldogs (7–4) at Ole Miss Rebels (5–6)
at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium • Oxford, Mississippi
- Date: Thursday, November 22, 2018
- Game time: 6:30 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Clear • 46 °F (8 °C) • Wind —
- Game attendance: 56,561
- Referee: James Carter
- TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Flemming and Greg McElroy
- Pregame line: Mississippi State –12.5
Vs. Iowa (Outback Bowl)
See also: 2018 Iowa Hawkeyes football team and 2019 Outback Bowl
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
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In a back-and-forth game, Iowa held on to defeat SEC opponent Mississippi State. Senior Jake Gervase made a critical interception in the end zone, and batted down a fourth down pass to end the Bulldogs' hopes. The victory was Ferentz's fifth January bowl win and eighth overall bowl victory.
More information Statistics, MS ...
| Statistics | MS | IOWA |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 15 | 11 |
| Total yards | 342 | 199 |
| Rushing yards | 190 | –15 |
| Passing yards | 152 | 214 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 33:34 | 26:26 |
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More information Team, Category ...
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi State | Passing | Nick Fitzgerald | 14/32, 152 yards, TD, 2 INT |
| Rushing | Nick Fitzgerald | 20 carries, 103 yards, TD | |
| Receiving | Aeris Williams | 3 receptions, 19 yards | |
| Iowa | Passing | Nate Stanley | 21/31, 214 yards, 3 TD, INT |
| Rushing | Toren Young | 3 carries, 7 yards | |
| Receiving | Nick Easley | 8 receptions, 104 yards, 2 TD |
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See also: 2019 NFL Draft
More information Round, Pick ...
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | NFL Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 19 | Jeffery Simmons | DT | Tennessee Titans |
| 1 | 26 | Montez Sweat | DE | Washington Redskins |
| 1 | 27 | Johnathan Abram | S | Oakland Raiders |
| 2 | 44 | Elgton Jenkins | C | Green Bay Packers |
| 6 | 199 | Gerri Green | LB | Indianapolis Colts |
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- Journal, Logan Lowery Daily. "MSU fires Moorhead after two seasons". Daily Journal.
All eight of Moorhead's victories in 2018 had to be vacated after 10 football players were reprimanded by the NCAA for academic misconduct involving a former part-time tutor and an online chemistry class.
- "Mississippi State placed on 3 years probation by NCAA". WTVA News. Associated Press.
Mississippi State has received three years' probation from the NCAA after an investigation determined a part-time student tutor completed coursework for 10 football players and one men's basketball player in an online class.
- "2018 Watch List | Lott IMPACT Trophy | Honoring College Football's Defensive Best". lottimpacttrophy.org. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- "Rimington Trophy Press Release". May 30, 2018. Retrieved July 14, 2018.
- "2018 Bednarik Award Watch List". July 16, 2018. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
- "2018 Maxwell Award Watch List". July 16, 2018. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- "Davey O'Brien Award Watch List includes 26 players". July 17, 2018. Archived from the original on July 17, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- "2018 Doak Walker Award Candidates". July 18, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
- "2018 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List". July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
- "22018 OUTLAND TROPHY WATCH LIST UNVEILED". July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
- "Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Announces 2018 Preseason Watch List". July 25, 2018. Archived from the original on August 17, 2009. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
- "43 PLAYERS NAMED TO 2018 PAUL HORNUNG AWARD WATCH LIST". July 26, 2018. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- "Wuerffel Trophy Unveils 2018 Watch List". July 26, 2018. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- "Preseason Watch List - 2018 edition of the Ted Hendricks Award" (PDF). August 14, 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
- "Watch List for 2018 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award ® Presented by A. O. Smith Announced". August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
- "Manning Award: See which quarterbacks made the preseason watch list for 2018". August 16, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
- "Media predicts Alabama to win 2018 SEC Championship". www.secsports.com.
- "2018 Mississippi State Bulldogs Football Schedule". FB Schedules. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
- "Fitzgerald leads No. 18 Miss St to 31-10 rout of K-State". ESPN. September 15, 2018. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
- "Iowa to Play Mississippi State at Outback Bowl". University of Iowa Athletics. December 2, 2018. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
- "2019 Outback Bowl: News and Notes". University of Iowa Athletics. January 1, 2019. Archived from the original on January 2, 2019. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
- "Iowa Rallies Past No. 18 Mississippi State In Outback Bowl". Associated Press. January 1, 2019. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
- "Iowa 27, Mississippi State 22: Hawkeyes throw down with the 'big dog of the whole country'". The Gazette (Cedar Rapids). January 1, 2019. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
- "Final Notes 2018". University of Iowa Athletics. January 17, 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2019.