Skip to content
Sections
  • Obituaries
  • eEdition
  • Popular Content
  • Submit a Tip
July 1st, 2022
  • QUICK LINKS
  • Obituaries
  • eEdition
  • Popular Content
  • Submit a Tip
  • News
  • Columbus & Lowndes County
  • Starkville & Oktibbeha County
  • West Point & Clay County
  • Area
  • State
  • National
  • Business
  • Sports
  • High School Sports
  • College Sports
  • Local Columns
  • Opinions
  • Local Columns
  • Letters to the Editor
  • Roses & Thorns
  • Dispatch Editorials
  • Obituaries
  • Lifestyles
  • Columns
  • Entertainment
  • Food
  • Transitions & Announcements
  • Community
  • Religion
  • Classifieds
  • Photo Galleries
  • Public Records
  • Building Permits
  • Marriages & Divorces
July 1st, 2022

Open eyes, open minds.

VOTE NOW: Best of the Triangle
  • Sports
  • Local Columns

Garrick Hodge: Egg Bowl surprises with civility; Kiffin takes 1-0 lead on Leach

By Garrick Hodge • November 28, 2020

Mississippi State running back Dillon Johnson (23) is tackled by Ole Miss defensive back A.J. Finley (21) during Saturday’s Egg Bowl at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford. The Rebels beat the Bulldogs 31-24 to recapture the Golden Egg trophy. Photo by: Bruce Newman

OXFORD — As Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers cocked his arm back and fired a last-ditch Hail Mary effort trailing by seven points, fans in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium held their collective breath.

Nothing out of this world insane had occurred yet in the Egg Bowl, so something batcrap nuts had to happen on the game’s final play, right?

“Oh, that’s going to be a touchdown, isn’t it?” one press box scribe opined as Rogers’ pass hung in the air. Nevertheless, there was no miracle catch. Rogers’ pass landed harmlessly on the field as Rebels players sprinted to midfield in celebration.

Ole Miss recaptured the Golden Egg on Saturday after a two-game losing streak with a 31-24 victory in what was a competitive yet surprisingly tame contest.

For years, the Egg Bowl has been described by many as toxic. “Egg Bowl Twitter” is most certainly a thing. But all of that would be news to anyone who watched this rivalry unfold for the first time.

There were no unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. No chippiness from either side following a play, at least no more than any normal week. There certainly wasn’t anyone pretending to pee like a dog in the end zone.

Maybe it was partly due to a reduced crowd because of the pandemic, but in comparison to last year, Saturday sure didn’t feel like a game between two rivals who couldn’t stand each other. Even in a close game, the on-field entertainment value certainly didn’t live up to its multi month-long hype machine, which was always going to be out of control considering the coaches of both teams.

All that aside, when the smoke cleared, round one of who knows how many more goes to Lane Kiffin. Ole Miss had a talented quarterback-wide receiver combo in Matt Corral and Elijah Moore that was plenty efficient to take advantage of a severely undermanned secondary, as the Bulldogs took Jerry Hollingsworth Field with 45 available scholarship players. MSU was shorthanded enough that even a loss to Ole Miss likely won’t deflate most of the fanbase, even if they’ll have to hear relentless ribbing from their friends with Ole Miss allegiances. Considering how lifeless the Bulldogs looked two weeks ago in a win against Vanderbilt, maybe it’s a small moral victory Mike Leach pleased with his team’s effort for the second straight week.

“I thought we played extremely hard,” Leach said. “We had young guys playing hard. I was proud of them.”

Meanwhile, Bulldogs safety Landon Guidry needs a hug after getting torched by multiple Ole Miss receivers for long touchdowns. Instead of committing a costly unsportsmanlike penalty, Moore showcased his growth into one of the nation’s best receivers by passing A.J. Brown’s single-season school record for receptions and amassing 139 yards against the Bulldogs. As a team, Ole Miss accumulated 550 total yards of offense utilizing a fast-paced, hurry-up attack. Jaden Walley broke a MSU freshman receiver record for most yards in a single game with 176. Kiffin went for it on fourth down so many times Leach was unsure who the first-year Ole Miss coach hated more: his punter or his kicker.

And despite the civility on the field, the trophy coming back to Oxford meant plenty to Ole Miss players.

“To see them in the locker room, it was like they won the Super Bowl,” Kiffin said postgame.

Maybe the most alarming aspect of the 2020 Egg Bowl is the season isn’t over yet for either team. MSU won’t play its regularly scheduled contest against Missouri next week because of some — let’s call it “creative” — scheduling by the SEC so Alabama and LSU can face each other on Dec. 5. The regular season may stretch through Dec. 19, and based on ESPN’s bowl projection from the previous week, the Bulldogs could be in a bowl game on Dec. 26.

The Bulldogs possibly playing in the regular season until a week before Christmas, a tame Egg Bowl, a possible two- to four-win team in a bowl game. Buckle up.

It’s a season that will finish unlike any other.

Hodge is the former sports editor for The Dispatch.

Popular

Goings On with Grant: Masonic Temple undergoing repairs for possible new tenant

By Grant McLaughlin

LCSD declares shortfall for second straight year

By Jessica Lindsey

Our View: An Ole Miss mea culpa and a new opportunity

By Dispatch Editorial Board

‘Better now than never’: Legislature looks to bolster women’s health options, foster care system in wake of recent Roe v. Wade ruling

By Slim Smith


Public Information Links

  • City of Columbus
  • Lowndes County
  • City of Starkville
  • Oktibbeha County
  • City of West Point
  • Clay County
  • Building Permits
  • Marriages & Divorces
  • MS Dept of Health Restaurant Inspections


On This Day 2021

Bulldogs make history with win over Vandy in CWS final

By Theo DeRosa

Featured Podcast

The C Dispatch Podcast

Sections

  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Lifestyles
  • Obituaries

Info

  • About
  • Contact
  • Submit a Tip
  • Terms & Service
  • Popular Content

Dispatch

Contact Us

Main Switchboard:

(662) 328-2424

Physical Address:

516 Main Street
Columbus, MS 39701

Mailing Address:

PO Box 511
Columbus, MS 39701

cdispatch.com © 2022 – The Commerical Dispatch

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT