TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 02: Will Rogers III #2 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs looks to throw a pass in the second quarter against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on January 02, 2023 in Tampa, Flori …
TAMPA BAY, Fla. - The Mississippi State Bulldogs wore some special helmets in honor of late head coach Mike Leach during the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa.
The helmet showed a pirate flag in honor of the coaches nickname ‘The Pirate’.
Leach's initials were placed below the skull and swords.
READ MORE: Mississippi State football coach Mike Leach dies at 61
It was one of just several tributes to Leach during the game.
Mississippi State also lined up in a special air-raid formation for its first play of the game and took a delay of game penalty.
Illinois declined the penalty.
The name ‘Mike’ with a cowbell for the ‘i’ was also painted on the field.
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 02: Massimo Biscardi #29 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs stands near a memorial logo painted on the field for Mike Leach prior to the ReliaQuest Bowl against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Raymond James Stadium on January …
The game on Monday was played at Raymond James Stadium, the home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
A photo of Leach was put up on the pirate ship in the stadium.
Mississippi State came back to beat Illinois in Monday's game 19-10.
Leach suddenly passed away on Dec. 12 at the age of 61.
In 21 seasons as a head coach at Texas Tech, Washington State and Mississippi State, Leach went 158-107.
Several college teams have paid tribute to Leach, an innovator in the sport, during this bowl season.