STARKVILLE– The Yellowjackets scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter Friday night to stave off Oxford, 45-17, and keep the Little Egg Bowl trophy at home.
Senior wide receiver Orien Thompson hauled in a 35-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Luke Altmyer to give Starkville (1-1) a 31-17 lead with 5:18 left in the game. After Oxford (1-1) turned it over on downs on its next possession, senior Rufus Harvey III scampered 52 yards for another Starkville touchdown.
The Chargers fumbled away the ensuing kickoff return, which set up a pair of Amariyon Howard rushes — a 74-yard breakaway followed by a 2-yard touchdown — to cap the scoring.
Starkville scored the first 24 points of the game before Oxford reeled off 17 straight, including a touchdown each in the second and third quarters, and a field goal in the fourth.
Zack Plair is the managing editor for The Dispatch.
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