Mike Leach tributes pour in on social media after Mississippi State's dramatic win over Illinois

College football fans around the country honored Mike Leach after Mississippi State defeated Illinois in the Reliaquest Bowl on Monday 19-10 in its first game with out its beloved head coach, who recently passed a way from a heart condition.

In MSU’s first play, they took a delay of game to honor their coach. Bret Bielema and the Illini declined the penalty.

Mississippi State took an intentional delay of game penalty in honor of Mike Leach ❤️ pic.twitter.com/kzeswBFunF

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) January 2, 2023

It wasn’t necessarily a Leach-style of game. It was low scoring and a dogfight throughout, but the Bulldogs honored him with a win. The game ended with a go-ahead field goal from Mississippi State and a wild final play.

Quarterback Will Rogers could not contain his emotions after leading a masterful drive and the field goal went through.

Will Rogers was with Mike Leach all three years in Starkville.

After the game-winning FG goes through, Rogers takes a moment to let it all sink in.

You can see what today’s win means for Mississippi State. pic.twitter.com/epxTbpyhS5

— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) January 2, 2023

Illinois went for the laterals to try and find the end zone, but it ended with a MSU scoop-and-score to cover the spread.

Mike Leach swindling away the +3.5 cover on the final play of the game in a stadium with a pirate ship?

I mean, come on…

Absolutely poetic.

— Ben Heisler (@bennyheis) January 2, 2023

From there, the celebrations for the win and for their former coach ensued and the tributes poured in.

Mississippi State players wave the flag for Mike Leach pic.twitter.com/7uI4JflZCF

— Sporting News College Football (@sn_ncaaf) January 2, 2023

Can't think of a better memorial for a bowl game, played in a stadium where a team for pirates play, that has a pirate ship in it, and ended in one of the most outlandish ways possible with Mississippi State winning

Rest in peace, Coach Mike Leach

— ?‍☠️Semfer?‍☠️ (@CrnhskerCambion) January 2, 2023

That was a Mike Leach ending if ever there was one ?‍☠️

— Francesca (@beingfrancake) January 2, 2023

One last ride on that pirate ship complete! Congratulations Coach Leach your team finished it! ?‍☠️?‍☠️?‍☠️ #SwingYourSword #MikeLeach pic.twitter.com/Vq8hHKLdsC

— Ricky Bishop (@rickybishop) January 2, 2023

Scoring a touchdown in the fourth at 0.0 is the only way the Mike Leach coaching story ends #makethemovie https://t.co/Ot6lN7wEVT

— Libbo Crosswhite (@libbocrosswhite) January 2, 2023

RIP, Coach Leach.