While cowbell ringing is encouraged during Mississippi State’s inaugural SEC battle of the 2025 campaign, Bulldog fans are also being encouraged to exercise restraint during periods of the game where the noisemakers are barred from clanging.
The Bulldogs, boasting an opening 4-0 record for the first time in over a decade, will host No. 15 Tennessee on Saturday at Davis Wade Stadium. The contest is sold out and expected to be rowdy from kickoff until the final snap, with fans of the maroon and white geared up to give their favorite team a home-field advantage through the traditional ringing of cowbells throughout the matchup.
However, the Mississippi State Athletics Department is urging those in attendance to silence the bell when instructed to avoid any possible on-field penalties or the possible prohibition of cowbells from future home games. A source told SuperTalk Mississippi News that officials with the SEC alerted Mississippi State about complaints from other programs surrounding “irresponsible” cowbell ringing, and that there could be repercussions for malpractice.
In other words, when the video boards spell out, “No bell. Just yell,” fans are urged to follow that instruction to a tee in order to keep the tradition of Mississippi State being the lone SEC institution with the artificial noisemakers alive.
“Our tradition, our sound, our reason — outsiders want them gone. We won’t let that happen. Do your part. Protect the bell. Ring responsibly,” a social media post from the official Mississippi State football account reads. “When the center is over the football, rest your bell and just yell. Our tradition depends on it.”
Our Tradition. pic.twitter.com/y8LD8D8XnO
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) September 24, 2025
It’s no secret that Mississippi State faithful have been galvanized by the current team’s showing on the field through its first four contests. From a week one road win over an in-state foe in Southern Miss, a field-storming victory over an Arizona State team that appeared in last year’s College Football Playoff, and blowouts against Alcorn State and Northern Illinois, the excitement level in Starkville is continuing to elevate by the week.
But with a daunting conference slate on the horizon, Bulldog fans know how imperative it is to create an insurmountable home-field advantage against SEC counterparts — all of whom defeated Mississippi State last season. The Volunteers (3-1, 0-1 SEC) are the first conference opponent on the docket, and Jeff Lebby’s crew will look to pounce and earn an early SEC win to build upon the momentum.
But Lebby contends that, to ensure his team is in the best position to upset a higher-ranked Tennessee, Bulldog fans must do their part and cheer responsibly.
“It’s going to be electric, and it’s going to be everything we want for us. Our people showing up early, being loud, respecting the bell, keeping the bell, and making sure we’re doing what we need to do to ring responsibly,” Lebby said. “We want to make sure everybody understands that, while being louder than any other stadium in America.”
Saturday’s game, which will kick off at 3:15 p.m., is sold out. Mississippi State will don an all white uniform combo, and fans are encouraged to wear white also. A flyover by AH-64 Apache helicopters will precede the action on the gridiron. The game will air on the SEC Network and participating SuperTalk Mississippi stations.
