Mississippi State releases statement after Mike Leach rushed to hospital

Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach was rushed to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson by ambulance on Sunday, the program shared on Sunday afternoon.

The Bulldogs have yet to release more details about Leach’s status or what the medical issue was that led to his hospitalization. The president and athletics director named defensive coordinator Zach Arnett as the team’s leader as they continue preparation for the ReliaQuest Bowl versus Illinois on Jan. 2.

“The university will make no other comment at this time other than to say that the thoughts and prayers of the university are with Mike and Sharon and their family,” the release reads.

“MSU President Mark E. Keenum and Interim MSU Athletics Director Bracky Brett have conferred, and the decision has been made to place MSU Defensive Coordinator Zach Arnett in charge of the MSU football team until Coach Leach returns. Practice for the ReliaQuest Bowl game and recruiting operations will continue.”

Leach, at 61 years of age, is in his third year coaching the Bulldogs. They went 8-4 this season to finish third in the SEC West.

The Pirate has been at the helm of some of the most explosive offenses in college football in the last two decades. Leach’s passing attack led the FBS six times at Texas Tech and four at Washington State.

Illinois, Mississippi State slated to meet in Reliaquest Bowl

Illinois will take on Mississippi State in the first edition of the Reliaquest Bowl, which was previously the Outback Bowl, as the 8-4 Fighting Illini will take on the 9-4 Bulldogs in Tampa, Florida on Monday, January 2 in Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

This will be the second time in school history for both programs that they’ve faced off, with the last being in 1980 when Mississippi State bested Illinois 28-21.

This year’s matchup will feature two contrasting teams regarding styles of play, as the Illinois offense features running back Chase Brown, who finished the regular season with 1,643 rushing yards, which ranked first in the Big Ten and second in the entire country. The Fighting Illini also boasts one of the nation’s top-ranked defenses, holding opponents to just 12.3 points per game ranking No. 1 across the entire FBS and 263.8 total yards per game ranking second in the country.

On the flip side, Mississippi State’s air raid offense led by head coach Mike Leach features one of the most lethal passing attacks in college football. Bulldogs quarterback Will Rodgers led the SEC in passing yards this regular season with 3,713, as well as passing touchdowns with 34, both top ten in the nation as well.

Rodgers has been a master distributor this year, completing pass attempts to nearly 20 different targets this season, led by receivers Rara Thomas and Caleb Ducking, who each has over 40 receptions and seven or more touchdowns catches this season.