Starkville, Miss. (TLV) – No. 18 Ole Miss (9-3) took on No. 21 Mississippi State (8-4) Saturday night for the 112th time in the 2015 edition of the Egg Bowl. The Rebels were entering the game off of a big win against LSU by a score of 38-17.
The Rebels came out strong early, forcing a Dak Prescott fumble on MSU’s first drive of the game. Ole Miss would drive down the field and score a touchdown, taking a 7-0 lead. They would extend that lead to 21-0 before the Bulldogs would make a field goal. The game would end with a Rebel victory by the score of 38-27, and it was Ole Miss’ first victory in Starkville since 2003.
“(I am) extremely pleased with taking the Egg Bowl back to Oxford,” said Ole Miss Head Coach Hugh Freeze. It has been difficult, as many you have pointed out all week long, to win this on the road, playing in a hostile environment”
The Rebels were led by Quarterback Chad Kelly who threw 21 completions on 40 passing attempts. He had 236 passing yards and two touchdowns. He also ran the ball 11 times for 74 yards and one touchdown.
“I thought we did good,” said the Junior College transfer. “It’s a hard fought win, coming into someone else’s stadium and coming out with a victory is huge.”
Both of those touchdown passes were thrown to Damore’ea Stringfellow. Stringfellow had five catches for 84 yards on the night. Laquon Treadwell had a quiet night. He only had four catches for 22 yards.
Ole Miss also had a good night running the ball as they ran it 37 times for 243 yards and 6.6 yards an attempt. Jaylen Walton led the Rebels with 93 yards on 16 attempts. Jordan Wilkins had five rushes for 54 yards and one touchdown.
Ole Miss won this game through turnovers. First was the forced fumble by DeMarguis Gates on MSU’s first drive. After that Tony Bridges came up with a pick six, taking the life out of Davis-Wade Stadium.
“Coach told me earlier in the week that you have to win one-on-ones,” said Bridges after the game. “I told him ‘Coach I feel comfortable on pressing them every play’ “
The Rebel defense was also able to generate a lot of pressure as they came up with seven sacks. They were led by Robert Nkemdiche who had 1.5 sacks. Mike Hilton led the Rebels in tackles with 10 total.
The Rebels are now 9-3 overall on the season and 6-2 in SEC play. They finish will finish out the season with a bowl game. If they rise above Florida in the College Football Playoff rankings they will play in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day. 
