A Mississippi State assistant coach parlayed a ReliaQuest Bowl win Monday into a future wife.

Jason Washington, a running backs coach for the Bulldogs, popped the question on the field after the 19-10 win over Illinois to Mary Yeomans, a member of the athletics academics staff, per the Clarion Ledger.

Yeomans said yes, and Washington gave credit to the late Mike Leach, who died Dec. 12.

”If it wasn’t for coach Leach, I never would have met her.”

Leach hired Washington, who was at Texas, in 2020.

Massimo Biscardi made a 27-yard tiebreaking field goal with four seconds left, Marcus Banks returned a fumble 60 yards for a touchdown on the game’s last play and No. 24 Mississippi State rallied to beat Illinois 19-10 in the ReliaQuest Bowl.

It was the Bulldogs’ first game since coach Leach died on Dec. 12 due to complications from a heart condition.

Banks’ score came on Illinois’ fifth lateral following a completed pass after the Fighting Illini got the ball at their own 29.

Will Rogers was 29 of 44 yards for 261 yards for Mississippi State. It was an emotional game full of tributes to Leach, who led the program for three years.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.