By Staff
Nov. 24, 2000
By Robbie Robertson/The Meridian Star
OXFORD The Egg Bowl was everything it was built up to be.
But in the end, Ole Miss took advantage of several Mississippi State miscues and took a 45-30 win over the Bulldogs Thursday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
An announced crowd of 48,811 watched the momentum switch back and forth as Mississippi State built a 16-0 lead and appeared headed for a blowout win.
But Ole Miss recovered for 21 straight points to lead 21-16 at the half.
The lead flip-flopped back and forth in the second half and Mississippi State even led 30-28 at one point. But that was before the Rebels responded with 17 straight points to take the contest.
With the win, both teams end the season at 7-4. Now both teams will wait and see where they will be playing in the postseason.
While the game would have meant more a few weeks ago, both teams were playing for bowl position, which will be announced Dec. 8.
Representatives from the Sanford Independence Bowl were in Oxford taking a serious look at Mississippi State.
A representative from the Shreveport, La., Bowl said he saw three things he liked in Mississippi State.
While it isn't locked in the Bulldogs will go to Shreveport, it's a likely choice, win or lose. Alexander said he believes LSU is likely headed to the Cotton Bowl while Auburn has already been issued a provisional bid to the Citrus Bowl.
Alexander said they are looking at two likely opponents for the Independence Bowl, which offers a $750,000 payout both of which would offer interesting matchups for the Bulldogs. Should Texas beat Texas A&M, the Aggies are likely headed to Shreveport. Another team of interest is Iowa State, where MSU coach Jackie Sherrill was an assistant under Johnny Majors.
Meanwhile, the win puts Ole Miss in prime position for a bowl berth as well with the Music City Bowl being a real possibility. No representatives from the Music City Bowl were on-hand, nor were any representatives from any of the other bowls that could likely be courting the Rebels.
Robbie Robertson is sports editor of The Meridian Star. E-mail him at rrobertson@meridianstar.com.