The Mississippi State Bulldogs and the UL Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns have scheduled a “Home-and-Dome” football series for 2018 and 2019, it was announced on Thursday.
Mississippi State will host the first game of the series at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville on Nov. 3, 2018. UL Lafayette will then host the second and final game of the series at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Aug. 31, 2019.
“This series makes sense because MSU gets a home game, followed by a neutral-site contest in a destination city our fans can get to easily,” MSU Director of Athletics Scott Stricklin said. “The opportunity to open the 2019 season in the Superdome on Labor Day weekend is a huge plus.”
Mississippi State holds a 3-0 lead in the series against UL Lafayette. In their most recent meeting in 1987, the Bulldogs defeated the Ragin’ Cajuns 31-3 in Starkville.
“We are very excited in scheduling a two-game series against a member of the Southeastern Conference,” UL Lafayette director of athletics Scott Farmer said. “To play another game in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, one of the great venues in sports and that has become a second home to us, will present our fans and alumni a great opportunity to enjoy an extended weekend in New Orleans while getting the college football season off to a great start.”
The addition of UL Lafayette completes the non-conference schedule for Mississippi State in 2018 and gives the Bulldogs three announced opponents in 2019.
In 2018, the Bulldogs are scheduled to host Stephen F. Austin on Sept. 1, travel to Kansas State on Sept. 8, and then host Louisiana Tech on Sept. 15.
MSU’s 2019 schedule currently includes home games against Kansas State on Sept. 14 and Abilene Christian on Oct. 12.
Mississippi State is the first announced non-conference opponent for the Ragin’ Cajuns in 2018. In 2019, the Cajuns are slated to visit Ohio on Sept. 21 and host Tulsa on Sept. 28.
Football Schedules