Elijah Klepczyk
Sports Columnist
STARKVILLE - Perhaps one of the most amazing stories to come out of Mississippi State football’s 31-24 victory over the Missouri Tigers last week, was that of Bulldogs place kicker, Kyle Ferrie.
Ferrie broke three Mississippi State records in the win, becoming the program’s all‑time leader in extra points (131), field goals (49), and total scoring with 278 career points.
Many might see this and believe Ferrie was a highly touted kicker coming out of high-school, or maybe a prodigy athlete with a huge leg. But in fact Ferrie was none of those things, just a walk on looking for a chance to play football in the SEC.
Ferrie joined the Bulldogs in 2023 as a walk on, and he said that he was told “if you earn your spot, you earn your scholarship.”
Interestingly, Zach Arnett — now Mississippi State’s defensive coordinator — was the head coach at the time and was the one who initially gave Ferrie his first shot. “Our relationship has really gotten better since he has been back,” Ferrie said of Arnett, adding that he thanked him for taking a chance on him four years ago.
A solid kicking game is an aspect of football that fans really don't appreciate until they don’t have it anymore, and Kyle Ferrie has been that guy for the Bulldogs during his career. NFL Hall of Fame head coach Bill Parcels said kickers were like “security blankets,” and when you have a good one “you feel a lot better.”
Ferrie has missed just one extra point in his Mississippi State career and is 4‑for‑5 on field goals from 50 yards or longer. “He’s created a ton of consistency for us,” head coach Jeff Lebby said, adding that Ferrie still has plenty of big opportunities ahead as the season continues.
Ferrie admitted he keeps his personal goals tucked away in the Notes app on his phone, but he emphasized that his list isn’t complete after his career-defining night. “We are not done,” he said. “Next, let’s go play in Atlanta,” the site of the SEC Championship Game.
Ferrie said he was emotional throughout the game, which is understandable given the difficult seasons he has endured in Starkville. He added that “breaking records is cool, but winning is a lot more cool.” During his time at Mississippi State, the Bulldogs have gone 16‑25, a stretch filled with heartbreak and deflating moments. So being part of their first SEC home win since 2022 — while breaking three school records in the process — “was a God thing,” Ferrie said.
