Correspondence between MSU counsel and booster. (click to enlarge)

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Mississippi State has disassociated itself from a booster who made impermissible contact with a prospective student-athlete, according to a letter from Michael Glazier, who is serving as the school's outside counsel during an NCAA investigation into the recruiting tactics of former football assistant coach Angelo Mirando.

The letter, obtained by the Journal via a Freedom of Information Act request, is dated July 13 and is addressed to the booster in question, whose identity is blacked out. According to the letter, the booster is a member of the Bulldog Club, MSU's fundraising arm for athletics.

From the letter: "The (NCAA) investigation has revealed that as a representative of Mississippi State's athletic interests (Bulldog Club member), you engaged in impermissible contact with the prospective student-athlete and that other violations of NCAA rules also may have occurred."

It goes on to say that MSU "will not associate with individuals who do not share the University's commitment" to adhere to NCAA rules and regulations. A list of what the booster is not allowed to do followed:

• Participate in any organization recognized by by the University as a supporter of the University's athletic programs;

• Assist the University in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes;

• Make a financial or gift in kind contribution for the support of the University's athletics programs;

• Receive any privilege associated with Mississippi State athletics that is not available to the general public.

MSU said last week that it has been working with the NCAA for several months on what the school called a "potential recruiting irregularlity," and ESPN has reported that it involves Mirando. There have also been reports that MSU freshman defensive back Will Redmond is being looked at by the NCAA. MSU also said last week that the NCAA's "examination" was nearing its end.

The booster's season tickets and a donation were both refunded by MSU, according to the correspondence. The letter says the booster, as of July 13, had not responded to requests to be interviewed by the NCAA.

Jack Cristil has always been comfortable behind a microphone. (Photo by Blake McCollum)

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To help you and me get through the drudgery of August, I will present in this space a daily scoop of MSU football-ness, as inspired by a certain ice cream chain. August has 31 days, so I'll let you work it out from there. Here is today's flavor.

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I remember as a child riding in the car with my dad one fall Saturday in Jackson, and he was trying to find the Mississippi State game on the radio. He finally did, and then remarked how much he enjoyed listening to Jack Cristil call a game. That rich, textured baritone and smooth delivery were one of many elements that made days like that one so memorable for me growing up.

Cristil, as you know, called MSU football games for 58 years, retiring in February of 2011 because of health concerns. He's one of the last of his kind: The voice of a football program, for years the main conduit of information for fans on game days before technology rendered radio a secondary medium.

Cristil is a delightfully colorful character. I've heard many a story about him, like when he upbraided an official during a basketball game and then slipped right back into radio mode when the commercial break ended. He was a guy who certainly rooted for MSU, but his allegiance did not interfere with his ability to tell listeners exactly what was happening. He didn't sugarcoat anything, and he didn't let his emotions cloud his objective eye.

Cristil talks in real life just like he does on the radio, except that he's perhaps a bit more animated in a one-on-one conversation or interview. He not only loves to talk, he's very eloquent. I could talk with him for hours about anything.

He's had a stretch of Highway 82 named after him in Starkville. His name is on the ring of honor at Davis Wade Stadium. He's been honored in numerous other ways

If you really want to get to know the man, short of speaking with him, you need to pick up a copy of Sid Salter's biography of Cristil. It does a good job of tracing Cristil's family history as well as his upbringing and what influenced him in both his life and career. It'll give you a much better picture of the voice you've heard on the radio.

Man, we had no Blog Bag questions last week. What's up with that, people? Well, the football season starts this week, so now y'all have gotta come up with something for me.

Just drop your questions in the comments section below, and I will bring you answers on Friday. It being football season, football questions are encouraged, but I'll answer anything.

Go.

This week's game: Jackson State (0-0) at MSU (0-0), Saturday, 6 p.m., Fox Sports Net/ESPN3.com (Bob Rathbun play-by-play, Tim Couch analyst, Elizabeth Moreau sideline)

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We're a day closer to football, and incidentally, Tropical Storm Isaac is a day closer to hitting land and drenching us all. It's gonna be wet on Saturday, and hot, so that'll be fun. I'm sure the stadium will fill up anyway.

Until then, I have some stories for you to read off of yesterday's press conference. We spoke with Dan Mullen, of course, as well as a couple of assistant coaches. The only player to show up was defensive tackle Josh Boyd, which is good, because he's the topic of my Wednesday feature.

In my main story today, I look at the quarterback situation (CLICK HERE) – namely, Tyler Russell taking command of the offense and backup Dak Prescott's role this weekend.

In my notebook, topics include the battle at right tackle, new receiver coach Tim Brewster's role this weekend, and injury updates (CLICK HERE).

• Now for some SEC links: Auburn will need to lean on its defense early and often (CLICK HERE). … If for some reason you're interested in Kentucky football today, Kyle Tucker's got you covered (CLICK HERE). … Tennessee's athletic department lost a lot of money this past year (CLICK HERE). … At age 60, Nick Saban shows no signs of slowing down (CLICK HERE).

The first Dan Mullen press conference of the season is in the books, and we learned a few things. I will do this the best way I know how – with bullet points. Here we go.

OH WAIT. I have some video of offensive coordinator Les Koenning, so CLICK HERE. OK, here we go for reals.

• We have an injuries update: Mullen said tight end Malcolm Johnson has a pectoral injury (he hadn't revealed that detail before) and will be doubtful for the next couple of weeks at least. He also said that backup offensive lineman Templeton Hardy is doubtful this week with an ankle.

• Mullen said if there are any suspensions, they will be announced Saturday.

• Senior Brandon Heavens has moved to the outside, which could mean more playing time for him. "We've got five senior wide receivers, and I want to make sure we get opportunities to get them on the field. If not our fastest, one of our fastest wideouts. He gives you that deep threat going on the outside that he can stretch the field vertically with his speed."

• On the right tackle battle between Damien Robinson and Charles Siddoway: "I see both of those guys playing, and hopefully playing significant reps in the first game to get experience under their belt."

• Mullen isn't sure yet when or how redshirt freshman QB Dak Prescott will get on the field, but he will get out there. "Just go out there and function in your first play. Get that off your shoulders. I think that first play is the hardest one."

• On starting QB Tyler Russell being ready to take over: "I see him ready for the game, can't wait to get out there on the field. I'm sure he'll have those nervous first-game jitters. But he's ready to go have a great year."

• Right guard Tobias Smith, who's been recovering from a knee injury, is expected to start this week. "Right now, the plan is he's going to start for us. I want to let him break himself back in. Don't know if he'll play the entire game."

Mmm, muscadline ripple.

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To help you and me get through the drudgery of August, I will present in this space a daily scoop of MSU football-ness, as inspired by a certain ice cream chain. August has 31 days, so I'll let you work it out from there. Here is today's flavor.

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Who likes ice cream? I know I do. Thank goodness I'm not lactose intolerant, or I'd miss out on one of the biggest treats MSU has to offer.

As you probably know, State produces its own ice cream. You can find it at the MSU Cheese Store (yep, they make cheese, too), and I can always find it in the press box on football game days. It's one of the items offered up during halftime.

There are many flavors, and I've tried a few of them. But I keep coming back to one flavor: muscadine ripple. I've never seen another ice cream maker produce this flavor, and I can't understand why, because it would make some serious dough. It's my favorite ice cream flavor, of any brand, ever.

And of the 31 Flavors of Football offered up this month, this one is no doubt the tastiest. (SEE WHAT I DID THERE??)

I like football and all, but the single best highlight of an MSU home game, for me, is that halftime snack of muscadine ripple. I have only one complaint: the containers aren't as big as they used to be. I believe the downsize came last year. Wonder if anyone would notice if I snagged two.

This week's game: Jackson State (0-0) at MSU (0-0), Saturday, 6 p.m., Fox Sports Net/ESPN3.com (Bob Rathbun play-by-play, Tim Couch analyst, Elizabeth Moreau sideline)

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Here we are, finally. The drudgery of August is coming to an end, and we have real, live football to look forward to this week. In this space each Monday morning, we will do this little entry to set the table for you.

Today, Dan Mullen will hold his regular game-week press conference at 1 p.m. Naturally, I'll have plenty of updates for you on the blog and Twitter, including videos. Throughout the week, I'll have stories aplenty and all the regular blog features, including a game prediction and the Statshot.

Before we take a look at this week's opponent, I have a couple of links for you. In today's Journal is a profile of new wide receivers coach Tim Brewster (CLICK HERE). Also in the paper is a story on sophomore center Dillon Day, who's really taken hold of the starting job (CLICK HERE).

Now, let's take a quick look at Jackson State.

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• Last meeting: MSU 45, Jackson State 7 (Sept. 5, 2009, Starkville)

• Series: MSU leads 1-0.

• Jackson State on the web: jsusports.com

• Jackson State on Twitter: @JStateTigers

• Jackson State coach: Rick Comegy (41-26, seventh season)

• 3 JSU players to watch: DE Joseph LeBeau, CB Qua Cox, WR Rico Richardson

• Premature review: In my Premature Preview of JSU (CLICK HERE), I looked at the offense trying to remain prolific without quarterback Ryan Therriault. The Tigers have several options to replace him, including senior Dedric McDonald, who threw nine passes last season. A team spokesman said this morning it "looks like" McDonald will be Saturday's starter.

"We think McDonald has stepped up his act at quarterback," Comegy said earlier ths month. "He's looking good in practice, he's showing some leadership out there. We also recruited what we think are some real fine quarterbacks."

McDonald is a big kid at 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, and he can run. Not sure how well he can throw, but there are some pretty good weapons around him and a new offensive coordinator, Derrick McCall, who has worked for Comegy for several years at both JSU and Tuskegee.

Questions certainly linger over this offense. On defense, Comegy is more sure of things. He's got nine starters back there, and Mullen recently noted the wealth of experience on that side of the ball.

Certainly, MSU will be a heavy favorite (but FYI, Vegas doesn't normally post odds on games involving I-AA teams). But this JSU team should be better than the one that visited Starkville three years ago. The Tigers are 17-5 over the last two seasons, and when I spoke with Comegy earlier this month, he didn't sound like a coach resigned to defeat.

"I know they're a good football team," he said. "I'm not underestimating that we're going up against any slouch, but I feel any given day, any given day, any given day..."

Sylvester Croom had a record of 21-38 at MSU, but his impact on the SEC goes well beyond win-loss record. (Daily Journal file photo)

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To help you and me get through the drudgery of August, I will present in this space a daily scoop of MSU football-ness, as inspired by a certain ice cream chain. August has 31 days, so I'll let you work it out from there. Here is today's flavor.

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Sylvester Croom will forever be a historic figure in both SEC and Mississippi State lore. That does not mean he is a beloved figure. But I do believe, on the whole, he is a respected figure.

Croom, of course, became the first black head football coach in SEC history when State hired him prior to the 2004 season. It was a big step forward for the league and its relatively new commissioner, Mike Slive, who was seeking ways to diversify the conference's coaching ranks. The fact that it happened at a Mississippi school made it an even bigger deal.

On the field, things didn't go so well. In five seasons, Croom posted a 21-38 record with one winning season, in 2007. The Bulldogs were 8-5 and won the Liberty Bowl that year, engendering fairly high expectations for 2008. It all fell apart, with MSU going 4-8 and Croom being shown the door.

There are mixed feelings among MSU fans regarding Croom. I believe most have great respect for him as a person and for what he did to run a clean program as MSU got out from under the shadow of NCAA probation. But the lack of winning and the often incompetent offensive play drove fans mad. Then-athletics director Greg Byrne felt it was time to move on, so he did.

The Croom era was frustrating for MSU fans, but it's also something they should be proud of. I could have missed something, but I never noticed a hint of racism toward Croom from the fans while he was there, nor have I since. Larry Templeton, the man who hired him, said Croom got the job because he was the best man for it. Byrne sent him packing because it turned out Croom couldn't win.

Race was ultimately not a factor in either his hiring or firing. He just couldn't get the job done on the field as quickly as most people would've liked, so Croom had to go. That's the way it is in the SEC. He was treated just like any other SEC coach, and that as much as anything is a sure sign of progress. Turns out, we Mississippians aren't a bunch of backward bigots. Imagine that.

Have you picked up a copy of the Sunday Journal? You need to, because that's where you will find our annual Football Journal magazine, with wall-to-wall preview coverage of Mississippi State, Ole Miss, the state colleges, junior colleges, the SEC, etc.

As for the MSU stuff, I wrote a column about playing better in the fourth quarter; a feature on senior cornerback Johnthan Banks; a position-by-position breakdown; and a schedule breakdown. Plenty of other goodies in there.

As for today's sports section, you can find a colum in which I take a stab at predicting MSU's regular season record (CLICK HERE). I'm going with 9-3. We'll see.

That Tim Brewster profiled I'd promised got put on hold, so apologies for that.

Tomorrow will be full of MSU football-ness. I'll have the usual Monday morning First Look blog entry, press conference updates, and whatever else pops up. The craziness is truly upon us. Six days, friends. Six days. MSU vs. Jackson State, 6 p.m., Fox Sports Net.

slideshow

To help you and me get through the drudgery of August, I will present in this space a daily scoop of MSU football-ness, as inspired by a certain ice cream chain. August has 31 days, so I'll let you work it out from there. Here is today's flavor.

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I have written more about cowbells the past four years than I ever thought I would when I got into this business 14 years ago. They are an indispensable part of the MSU fan experience, which is something outsiders have a hard time understanding. To non-MSU fans, cowbells are a great annoyance and something to mock as they make jokes about tractors and cows and such.

That's because unless you're an MSU fan, it's hard to understand the meaning they hold. MSU fans give tiny cowbells to their babies; they hand them down to sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters; some are old and dented from years of use, others are shiny silver and sit prominently displayed upon mantles and shelves.

Cowbells entered the picture at some point prior to World War II. As the legend goes, MSU was playing Ole Miss one day, and trailing, when a cow meandered onto the field. The Bulldogs rallied to win, and the cowbell came to be seen as a good-luck charm. It's now more than that – it's a fixture. It adds to the outside image of MSU as a "cow college," but MSU fans seem to embrace that to a degree. And that's good, because agrarian life is not something to be looked down upon. My family has agrarian roots, and it's good and healthy to embrace one's country-ness.

Anyway, cowbells for a long time were not legal to bring into stadiums to ring, but the SEC and the school worked things out in the Great Cowbell Compromise of 2010. Fans are now allowed to bring 'em and ring 'em during SEC home games, so long as they ring at appointed times. Non-conference games are a free-for-all. And the fans, to the surprise of many skeptics, have learned to "respect the bell," to use the school's words.

A week from today, the cowbells return to Davis Wade Stadium, and a longstanding, much beloved tradition will return. It's the kind of tradition that's good for college football.