The fraternity house with the “He15man” banner at Mississippi State seemed a bit outdated by kickoff Saturday night. By halftime, it might as well have been from a different era.

The Bulldogs’ one-time Heisman Trophy candidate, QB Dak Prescott, struggled to get much going against Ole Miss in his final Egg Bowl. Prescott had two turnovers in the first quarter alone, including an interception returned for a touchdown.

He was 16-for-20 for 85 yards and one interception in the first half, and things didn’t get much better after halftime in a 38-27 setback.

Not many bounces went the way of the Bulldogs, and the most obvious came when Ole Miss QB Chad Kelly fumbled, and somehow got the ball back. On the next play, Jordan Wilkins scored on a 39-yard run.

This lackluster effort was not the reason Prescott 11 months ago announced his return for his final season, a chance for the Golden Egg Trophy and the program’s first back-to-back 10-win seasons.

FIVE TAKEAWAYS

1. The Bulldogs didn’t allow more than 30 points in the first nine games. In the last three, they allowed 31, 50 and 38 points.
2. Through two drives each in the second half, Mississippi State averaged 6.8 yards per play, Ole Miss 4.1.
3. Prescott was sacked seven times and under pressure throughout.
4. It was the second win by the road team in 12 years. It was Ole Miss’ first win in Starkville since 2003 when Eli Manning was a senior.
5. Trailing 28-3 at halftime, Mississippi State made things interesting with 10 straight points early in the third quarter.

REPORT CARD

Offense: (C-) — While the Bulldogs finished with 402 yards offensively, they were just 7-for-16 on third-down conversions. Two first-quarter turnovers and a 25-point deficit were too much to overcome. When the game was still within reach early in the second quarter, the Bulldogs settled for a glorified extra-point, a 22-yard field goal.

Defense: (D) — The soft defense allowed a three-score deficit (outside of the pick six) after Ole Miss scored in eight plays and 75 yards. The Rebels built that big lead on the strength of averaging nine yards per play at one point. Ole Miss didn’t punt until about a minute left in the first half.

Special teams: (C) — Not much to show for after one 15-yard punt return and three kick returns that averaged 23 yards. Westin Graves was perfect kicking, but that was more of an indictment of an offense that bogged down near the goal line.

Coaching: (D) — The start to the game itself showed a preparation mismatch as the Bulldogs had the emotion of Senior Night with the combination of Ole Miss just learning it wouldn’t play in the SEC Championship Game. The halftime adjustments hardly lasted more than a few drives as the early deficit was too much to erase.

Overall: (C) —  Injuries on the line were cited as an explanation for the offensive struggles. And the Bulldogs outscored Ole Miss 27-17 after falling into a 21-0 hole, thanks to 14 points off two turnovers. The Bulldogs didn’t continue momentum built from their 51-50 win at Arkansas.

STAT OF THE NIGHT

Prescott finished third in SEC history with 11,470 total yards.

GAME BALL

WR Fred Ross — Became the Bulldogs’ all-time leading receptions leader in a single season (76). He finished with 12 catches for 117 yards. He had 100 yards receiving for a school-record fourth straight game.

INJURIES

OT Rufus Warren missed the game due to kidney stones earlier in the week.