While Mississippi State players mourn the death of Mike Leach, they would like to honor their head coach by playing in one more game this year. Sports Illustrated’s Ross Dellenger reports Mississippi State still plans on playing in the ReliaQuest Bowl game vs. Illinois on January 2.
“Mike would be pissed if we didn't play,” a source told Dellenger. “The bowl game is at a stadium with an actual pirate ship in it.”
That stadium will be Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, the home of the Buccaneers. It is fitting that the Bulldogs will honor Leach, who was nicknamed The Pirate, at a stadium that features a pirate ship
Athletic director Bracky Brett said there is no doubt that the Bulldogs’ players will want to play in the game.