In Rucker's first year back with the program in 2023, quarterback Jaylen Raynor burst onto the scene and was named Sun Belt Freshman of the Year. Rucker quickly became Raynor's favorite target, and they have since continued to build their chemistry.

Once a college football laughingstock, Missouri State football will make its first bowl appearance as an FBS member on Thursday night.

The college football bowl game schedule will have a new addition, as details of the first-ever Xbox Bowl were revealed on Thursday.

Back at the start of December, it was announced that Xbox and ESPN were joining forces to host the "Xbox Bowl" college football game between Missouri State and Arkansas State, and that game actually takes place this Thursday.

The Xbox Bowl, which replaces the Bahamas Bowl in Nassau, Bahamas, joins the portfolio of 17 postseason college football games owned and operated by ESPN.

Today, Xbox and ESPN are happy to announce that they will be sponsoring the first ever Xbox Bowl college football game.

The College Football postseason will bring five bowl games to Dallas-Fort Worth, including a brand new bowl set to debut at a North Texas stadium.

Of those contests, only the designated “New Year’s Six” are “win and advance” bowl games. The other 35 serve as rewards for players and teams who had .500 seasons or better…although this year with the opt outs, three 5-7 teams, including SEC member Mississippi State, had to serve as fill-ins.