The number 10 holds significant meaning in Mississippi State football history, representing both a pivotal season and a talented player whose career was marred by injury.
The 2010 Season:
The 2010 Mississippi State football season was a turning point, marking the start of what would become one of the program’s best decades since the 1940s—perhaps the best when all is said and done. Dan Mullen, despite the controversy surrounding his departure, brought a transformation to Bulldog football comparable to Jackie Sherrill’s impact in 1991. Many fans now hope Jeff Lebby can have a similar effect.
Though the 2009 season ended in a missed bowl opportunity—partly due to a misunderstanding of appeal policies and Chris Relf’s mid-season slump—the momentum carried into 2010 was undeniable. The Bulldogs made a strong statement with a dominant win over Memphis in their opener. Another “what-if” moment occurred in week two, where a near-miss against Auburn could have prevented Cam Newton from claiming a national title.
The real breakthrough came when Mississippi State hosted and defeated Georgia for the first time since the early 1970s. Nickoe Whitley’s game-changing play—separating Washaun Ealey from the ball at the goal line—along with Relf’s fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Arceto Clark, were defining moments in the season.
Mississippi State continued their success with a decisive win over Houston, followed by a gritty 10-7 victory over Florida, Mullen’s former team. Despite losses to Alabama and Arkansas, the Bulldogs secured seven wins by the time they faced Kentucky and capped the season with another Egg Bowl victory, leading to a Gator Bowl berth.
In the Gator Bowl, Mississippi State’s defense stifled Michigan after a shaky start, and the offense exploded, leading to a resounding 52-14 victory. This win is remembered as one of the most satisfying in modern Bulldog history and ranks as the second-best bowl victory for the program. It was only the sixth time in Mississippi State history that the team achieved nine or more wins, marking the peak of Mullen’s initial tenure.
### Ray Ray Bivines:
The number 10 was also worn by Ray Ray Bivines, a player known for his electrifying moves and potential that was never fully realized due to circumstances beyond his control, including injuries and a program in decline.
Bivines, a highly touted recruit from Gautier, Mississippi, joined Mississippi State during Jackie Sherrill’s peak years. Though he sat out the 2000 season, he practiced as both a receiver and a quarterback, embodying the ‘wildcat’ style before it became a trend.
His debut season in 2001 was hampered by a hamstring injury, but he still managed to finish fifth in the SEC in punt return average. Injuries continued to plague him, but he made an impact in his first Egg Bowl, scoring a game-breaking touchdown as a quarterback on a direct snap.
As a sophomore, Bivines had his best season with 40 receptions and four touchdowns, including an 89-yard catch that set a school record at the time. However, his 2003 season was cut short by a thigh injury and more hamstring troubles, ending with mid-November surgery.
Bivines’ career was further derailed by injury, preventing him from practicing in Sylvester Croom’s first spring and ultimately ending his football career in 2004. He finished with 80 catches, 1,005 yards, and six touchdowns—a respectable career, but one filled with “what might have been.”
The 2010 season and Ray Ray Bivines both symbolize the highs and lows of Mississippi State football, reflecting the program’s resilience and the enduring hope of what the future might hold.