The Mississippi State University Bulldogs defeated the University of Illinois Fighting Illini 19-10 in the Reliaquest Bowl in Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. 
Despite first half struggles, Will Rogers led his team to a decisive final drive as time ticked down and Massimo Biscardi’s 27-yard field goal secured a 13-10 lead. 
Biscardi spoke about the confidence he had as the clock was winding down. 
“Mentally, I was already there, and I knew they had two timeouts left, so I knew they were going to call them,” Biscardi said. “I was just like ‘I’m going to just chill, focus on the target and just go through my whole process.'”
The Illini weren’t finished yet, though, as MSU was able to avoid catastrophe on a last second lateral play in which cornerback Marcus Banks picked up a fumble and tacked on six more pivotal points. 
Rogers finished with 29/44 completions, 261 yards, two interceptions and one huge touchdown to the Reliaquest Bowl MVP Justin Robinson. 
After the game, head coach Zach Arnett spoke about the challenge that Illinois gave not only Rogers and MSU but also other offenses all season long. 
“Sometimes when you’re playing a really good defense, it’s going to be tough sledding, you know,” said Arnett. “You got to keep playing, obviously, and fortunately our defense was playing well … So we kept giving the ball back to him.”
“I don’t think it was ever not a one-score game, right? So, that makes it pretty easy to stay locked in and stay focused because you know it only takes one drive,” Arnett added. 
Robinson, a transfer from the University of Georgia, turned in the best performance of his career so far with seven receptions for 81 yards and the pivotal toe-tapping touchdown. 
It’s that toe tapping that he says has earned him the nickname “Tony Toe-Taps” among his teammates, something Bulldog fans will be sure to look forward to next season. 
Mississippi State footballs seasons have historically been a roller coaster, and this one was no different. This team has been through immense struggles that, for the most part, didn’t even take place on the field. 
They, the coaching staff and the fans all know that. Despite it all, though, they were able to put together the ninth season in which they had nine or more wins.
The Zach Arnett era is underway at Mississippi State, and using lessons he says he learned from his mentor Mike Leach, it’s underway with a win.
MSU will take a much-needed rest for a few short weeks before returning to practice. The recruiting trail will be lit ablaze and weight rooms filled to the brims, but for now, under the Pirate’s watchful eye, the Bulldogs will celebrate being the 2023 Reliaquest Bowl Champions.