Ole Miss Controls Mississippi State, Wins Battle For The Golden Egg

Ole Miss senior C.J. Johnson hoists the Golden Egg after the Rebels’ win.
(ESPN)

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI Sports) – The Rebels won the Battle for the Golden Egg for the second-straight season Saturday, doing so on Mississippi State’s home turf.

The Ole Miss football team (9-3, 6-2 SEC) gained an early lead and held on, winning 38-27. Mississippi State (8-4, 4-4 SEC) lost at home in the rivalry for the first time since 2003.

The Rebels jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter thanks to two touchdowns from junior Chad Kelly, one rushing and one throwing, and an interception returned for a touchdown by junior Tony Bridges. Ole Miss added another score on a second Kelly to Damore’ea Stringfellow connection to take a 28-3 lead into halftime.

The Bulldogs scored first to start the third quarter, cutting the deficit to 18 on a rushing touchdown from senior Dak Prescott. State again trimmed the lead to 18 with just under 10 to play, then got within 11 with under two minutes left on a second Prescott to Malik Dear hookup.

Ole Miss recovered an attempted onside kick from MSU to seal it.

Chad Kelly led the way for the Rebels, going 21-for-30 for 236 yards and two touchdowns passing, adding 74 yards and a touchdown on the ground. The Rebels racked up 243 yards rushing behind a game-high 93 from senior Jaylen Walton. Ole Miss did not commit a turnover in the game.

Prescott finished 31-for-42 for 254 yards passing with two touchdowns and an interception, also rushing for 63 yards and a score for MSU. Junior Fred Ross eclipsed the century mark in receiving yards with 117 on 12 receptions.

It was the 112th meeting between the two teams and senior Dak Prescott’s final game in Davis-Wade Stadium. The two teams find out their bowl game fates next weekend, following the conference championship games.

See WCBI’s complete Egg Bowl coverage Sunday at 10 p.m. to hear both teams’ comments on the game.