'For Coach': How Twitter reacted to Mississippi State vs. Illinois in the Reliaquest Bowl

Wes Huett, Journal Star
·5 min read
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What a wild finish.

Mississippi State took its first lead in the final seconds and defeated Illinois 19-10 to win the Reliaquest Bowl on Monday in Tampa, Fla.

The Bulldogs went ahead for the first time when Massimo Biscardi hit a 27-yard field goal with four seconds remaining. The Illini then trailed 13-10 with three seconds left when it completed a pass and attempted a series of laterals that eventually ended with Mississippi State recovering one and taking it 53 yards for a touchdown to set the final score.

According to Sports Illustrated, the Bulldogs entered the bowl game as 3.5-point favorites — which means they did not cover the betting line until that unlikely final play.

"The Bulldogs did a lot to honor Leach on Monday," wrote Daniel Chavkin of SI's Extra Mustard. "But the backdoor cover was the chef’s kiss."

Illinois (8-5) was in its most high-profile bowl games since the 2008 Rose Bowl, while Mississippi State (9-4) was playing in a bowl for the 13th consecutive season.

We took a spin around Twitter to see what other people were saying about the game.

From USA TODAY:With Mike Leach as inspiration, Mississippi State defeats Illinois in ReliaQuest Bowl

Mississippi State running back Jo'quavious Marks and the rest of the team wear stickers on their helmets in honor of former coach Mike Leach during the first half of the ReliaQuest Bowl NCAA college football game against Illinois Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. Leach passed away Dec. 13, 2022, from a heart condition. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Mississippi State running back Jo'quavious Marks and the rest of the team wear stickers on their helmets in honor of former coach Mike Leach during the first half of the ReliaQuest Bowl NCAA college football game against Illinois Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. Leach passed away Dec. 13, 2022, from a heart condition. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Win one for the Pirate

The spirit of Mike Leach was all around Monday. The Bulldogs were playing for the first time since coach Leach — whose nickname was "The Pirate" — died Dec. 12 due to complications from a heart condition.

The Bulldogs wore pirate stickers on the sides of their helmets to honor Leach, while the Illini even wore a Leach sticker. The MSU band also honored the coach by spelling out "LEACH" during their pregame set and there was a portrait of Leach stationed on the deck of the pirate ship located inside the stadium.

"Coach and I were so close," MSU quarterback Will Rogers said. "To lose a coach like that, to lose a friend like that, it hurt me for a really long time and will continue to hurt. ... I definitely wanted to win this game for Coach."

Even before the game started, it seemed like the sentiment was in the Mississippi State camp, with the Reddit college football community posting a map showing that pretty much all of America was cheering for the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs even took an intentional delay of game penalty to start the game after lining up in an honorary formation to honor Leach.

Running club hits Tampa

Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman brought his iconic running club to the streets of Tampa, according to Champaign News-Gazette reporter Colin Likas. The run wrapped up about four hours ahead of the 11 a.m. game, says Likas.

Orange and blue in full force

Plenty of Illini fans took to social media to share pictures of their trip to Tampa to watch the Illini go bowling.

Included was former Illini player Tony Johnson, who was on-site in Tampa sharing pictures and video from Raymond James Stadium.

How about on the field?

Illinois receiver Isaiah Williams was one of the few bright spots for the Illini, finishing the bowl game with nine catches for 114 yards including a great catch-and-run in the second quarter.

"Williams is a really dynamic space player at slot," wrote an NFL Draft analyst at Seven Rounds in Heaven. "Shows his suddenness and big-play ability here in the ReliaQuest Bowl. ... He should be a prospect to watch in the 2024 NFL Draft."

All the bowl games:College football bowl games scores and schedules for all 42 games

Having fun in Tampa

WCIA-TV reporter Bret Beherns said Illini fans were having fun in the stands in Tampa when he provided his halftime update via Twitter.

"It seems as if everyone at Raymond James Stadium is drunk, so assuming they’re all good regardless. It’s definitely a party here in Tampa."

Are you bloomin' crazy?

Many on Twitter lamented the Reliaquest takeover of the bowl game formerly known as the Outback Bowl.

Rodger Sherman of The Ringer posted a photo of a man dressed as the iconic Outback Steakhouse appetizer the Bloomin' Onion, asking folks to "never forget what they took from us."

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Twitter analysis: Illinois, Mississippi State football honor Mike Leach