[Tuck4Bama]

STARKVILLE — Michael Henig's memories are colored Auburn orange and blue.

From the time he could walk and talk, Henig, now Mississippi State's starting quarterback, spent fall Saturdays with his family in Jordan-Hare Stadium.

His mom is an Auburn grad. She was a cheerleader. His sisters, too. One was a cheerleader. His dad, Mike, also graduated from Auburn.

So the Henigs went and went to Auburn when Michael was a kid, following them in that undefeated year in 1993, suffering through the three wins in '98 and cheering them to an SEC Western Division title in 2000. Toomer's Corner, War Eagle, the Auburn Creed - he knows all the lore.

Young Michael dreamed of being like Tiger quarterbacks Dameyune Craig and Patrick Nix - winners in a sea of orange.

That changed one day in October 2003, when Auburn's coaching staff told the Henigs they wouldn't be offering Michael a scholarship. His dad, Mike Henig, has only been back once - in 2005, when Mississippi State lost 28-0 there, and Michael Henig completed both of his pass attempts in a backup role.

MSU football: Homeward Bound