2014 Mississippi State vs Mississippi

The Ole Miss Rebels battled injuries and fatigue to take down arch-rival Mississippi State 31-17 in the 2014 Egg Bowl, capping the regular season for both teams. The Rebels’ victory improved their record to 9-3 on the year and snapped a three-game losing skid in the SEC following a 7-0 start to the year. Mississippi State’s loss eliminated it from contention in the SEC West and likely cost it a potential berth in the inaugural four-team College Football Playoff.

The Rebels were led by their overwhelming Landshark defense, which held Mississippi State to just 17 points and 3.5 yards per carry in the run game. Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott was 22 of 37 passing for 282 yards and a touchdown, but he ran for just 48 yards on 24 carries in a losing effort.

Ole Miss quarterback Bo Wallace played through a high ankle sprain suffered a week earlier against Arkansas, completing just 13 of 30 passes but amassing a whopping 296 yards on those 13 completions. The Rebels had one of their best rushing performances of the season, posting 205 yards and three touchdowns at an average of 6.6 yards per carry.

The Rebels’ victory was highlighted by two critical plays in the second half that helped keep Ole Miss in front on the scoreboard as Mississippi State made a late charge. The first was a Jaylen Walton 91-yard touchdown run one play after Mississippi State punter Devon Bell pinned Ole Miss inside its own 10 yard line, and the second was a halfback pass from Jordan Wilkins to Cody Core in the fourth quarter to put Ole Miss up two touchdowns, a lead Mississippi State could never overcome.

Mississippi State lost despite maintaining an 11:30 advantage in time of possession and failing to commit a turnover on the night. The Rebels’ failed to force a turnover for the first time in 35 games in its monumental victory.