A Snowy Memory: Mississippi State’s 2000 Independence Bowl Miracle

By Rivers Hughey

Snow, Bulldogs, and an Unforgettable Night in Shreveport

I was 12 years old on New Year’s Eve 2000, ready to embrace all that the holiday had to offer. My glitter eyeshadow was ready. My doll-sized scrunchy shirt (you know the one that stretched to fit a medium-sized human) was prepped. The world was my oyster—until my parents informed me we’d be ringing in the new year at a football game. Not just any game, though: the Mississippi State Bulldogs versus the Texas A&M Aggies in the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana.

This wasn’t my first begrudging experience at a sporting event. My parents weren’t “Disney World” parents. They were “tour-every-minor-league-stadium-on-the-East-Coast” parents. So, there I was, bundled up and armed with my Nokia brick phone, texting friends and playing Snake, waiting for updates on what I was missing back home.

The Snow and the Game

The warnings about snow came in the days leading up to the game, but no one could have imagined the sheer volume. A rare Louisiana blizzard blanketed the field, transforming the Independence Bowl into what broadcaster Mark Jones called “an unexpected winter wonderland right in the heart of Cajun Country.”

The game began with Texas A&M jumping out to a 14-0 lead, fueled by their powerful running back Ja’Mar Toombs. Mississippi State clawed back when Dontae Walker ripped off a touchdown early in the second quarter, sparking a rally that would make this game unforgettable. Walker’s performance—143 yards and three touchdowns on just 16 carries—kept the Bulldogs in the fight.

By halftime, I had stopped marveling at the snow and started shivering in it. My mom, decked out in a full ski mask, had a tower of snow perched on her head. We occasionally retreated to the bathrooms for warmth, but my dad’s pre-game declaration—“Once we’re parked, we’re not leaving!”—remained resolute.

The Chaos of Overtime

The real magic began in overtime. Texas A&M struck first, scoring on a 25-yard run by Toombs. But then came the moment that has lived in Bulldogs lore ever since. The extra point attempt was blocked, and defensive lineman Eugene Clinton scooped up the ball. As Aggies players swarmed him, he lateraled to Julius Griffith, who sprinted 80 yards to the end zone, adding two points for MSU and cutting the deficit to 41-37.

On MSU’s next possession, quarterback Wayne Madkin became the hero. After a long run set up a first-and-goal, Madkin capped the drive with a gutsy quarterback draw. Diving through the snow and stretching just far enough to break the plane, he secured a 43-41 win for the Bulldogs. I remember reading once that he said he had no idea what was going to happen because he couldn’t see anything. He just reached out and, wow, did it pay off.

Madkin’s teammates mobbed him in the snow-filled end zone, and fans erupted in celebration. It was a win that not only beat the odds but also defeated the elements.

My Quarterback, Forever

While many hail Dak Prescott as Mississippi State’s quarterback, my heart belongs to Madkin. He was my quarterback that night. He led us to victory in what felt like impossible conditions, and he wasn’t just my quarterback—he was Mississippi State’s quarterback, and he always will be

A Lasting Legacy

Living in Louisiana now, I think about that game every time snow is in the forecast. I think about Madkin, whose name deserves to be etched in Bulldogs lore, and how he carried MSU to one of its most unforgettable wins. At the time, I didn’t fully grasp how special it was. But now, I know that snowy night in Shreveport wasn’t just a game—it was a moment in history, frozen in time.