Oxford, Mississippi: A Gridlocked Showdown in the Egg Bowl
What a game it was on Friday, November 29, 2024! As the sun dipped behind the beautiful Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, the air was thick with excitement, nerves, and a whole lot of Bulldog and Rebel spirit. In the annual Battle for the Golden Egg, the Mississippi State Bulldogs took on their rivals, the Ole Miss Rebels, and let’s just say, it was a memorable showdown!
Game Overview
Unfortunately for Mississippi State fans, the Bulldogs wrapped up their 2024 football season with a 26-14 loss against the No. 14 ranked Ole Miss. Despite the outcome, the game featured plenty of highlights and key performances that had the fans on both sides cheering. Bulldog quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. was a standout player, throwing for an impressive 280 yards and accounting for two touchdowns during the game. Talk about putting on a show!
Key Moments
As the whistle blew and the game kicked off, the Rebels struck first. Early in the first quarter, Ole Miss’s Caden Davis nailed a 39-yard field goal, sending their fans into a frenzy, and putting them up 3-0. But MSU quickly retaliated! Van Buren connected with Kevin Coleman Jr. on a beautiful 34-yard touchdown pass, swinging the momentum back to the Bulldogs as they took a 7-3 lead.
But, hold on to your hats! Ole Miss wasn’t going down without a fight. They jumped ahead again with a short run from JJ Pegues, making it 10-7. Just when you thought the Bulldogs might have the upper hand, Van Buren decided to show off his legs, rushing in for a six-yard touchdown that put MSU up 14-10, as the first quarter drew to a close. What a wild first quarter!
Back-and-Forth Battle
The second quarter was equally exhilarating. Midway through, Ole Miss surged back in front, taking the lead 17-14 on a tough run by Ulysses Bentley. That score held all the way to halftime, keeping everyone on the edge of their seats. Quite the back-and-forth battle, wouldn’t you say?
As the third quarter began, Ole Miss extended their lead to 20-14 with another field goal by Davis. Now, with less than 10 minutes left in the game and the Bulldogs trying to make a comeback, they faced a challenge. Ole Miss wasn’t finished just yet; they capitalized on their momentum and sealed the deal when Jaxson Dart tossed a touchdown pass to Caden Prieskorn, marking the final score of 26-14.
Reflecting on the Season
Although it wasn’t the ending fans were hoping for, Mississippi State showed heart and determination throughout the game. Van Buren’s performance was particularly impressive, along with Coleman, who racked up 118 yards receiving with a touchdown to boot. Bulldog fans have plenty to be proud of as they look ahead to the 2025 season.
As the dust settles on another electrifying Egg Bowl, both teams reflect on their seasons, rivalries, and of course, the coveted Golden Egg. Here’s to next year’s rematch and more thrilling football action from these two stellar programs!
