Mississippi State athletic director John Cohen says cowbells welcome in AutoZone Liberty Bowl
When the Mississippi State Bulldogs travel to Memphis' Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium to face the Texas Tech Red Raiders for the 2021 AutoZone Liberty Bowl, athletic director John Cohen says cowbells will be welcomed.
"They're going to be able to bring they're cowbells to this bowl as well, so that's exciting as well," Cohen told media in a conference call about the Liberty Bowl. "It just fits our needs in a lot of ways and I know we're all excited about this opportunity."
Cowbells are a longstanding tradition for Bulldog fans — but only at home games.
Just earlier this season, Mississippi State played at the same stadium against the University of Memphis and cowbells were not allowed. Now, the stadium is acting as neutral territory.
Mississippi State football coach Mike Leach tweeted about the cowbells being allowed the Liberty Bowl, referencing a bell tradition from Texas Tech.
I just heard that cowbells will be allowed at the Liberty Bowl for our game on December 28th. Texas Tech has a bell that they ring but ours will be louder!
— Mike Leach (@Coach_Leach) December 6, 2021
The Red Raiders typically have a large bell on the sideline at home games that they often ring during games. It is unknown if the Texas Tech sideline bell will make the trip.
For Leach, the bowl game will be a reunion with Texas Tech, after the Red Raiders fired him in 2009.
LIBERTY BOWL: Mike Leach set for Texas Tech reunion as Mississippi State lands in Memphis' Liberty Bowl
SCOUTING REPORT: Mississippi State football vs. Texas Tech in Liberty Bowl: Score prediction, scouting report
In the same call where Cohen announced the cowbells, he said one of the special things about playing in the Liberty Bowl is how easy it will be for Bulldog fans to travel to attend.
"We've played in so many bowls that have been difficult for our fans to get to," Cohen said. "So I think the footprint here geographically speaking is important. I think it allows our fans to come to this game if they choose to."
Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium is less than a three-hour drive from Mississippi State's campus.
The AutoZone Liberty Bowl will take place on Dec. 28 at 5:45 PM CT and will air on ESPN.
Trisha Easto is a digital producer in the USA Today network. You can find her on Twitter @trishaanicole
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Cowbells welcome at Mississippi State football bowl game in Memphis
