Rebels Rule the Egg Bowl: Ole Miss Outlasts Mississippi State in Gritty Defensive Showdown.
STARKVILLE, Miss. — In a classic battle of grit, guts, and gridiron, the Ole Miss Rebels emerged victorious in a fiercely contested Egg Bowl, edging out in-state rivals Mississippi State with a bruising 17-10 win that will be remembered not for high-flying offense, but for bone-rattling defense and sheer resilience.
On a chilly Thanksgiving night, with cowbells ringing loud and tension high, the 120th edition of the Egg Bowl turned into a slugfest that tested both teams’ will. Ole Miss, ranked No. 12 heading into the game, leaned on its vastly improved defense to shut down a determined Bulldogs squad that refused to back down.
From the first snap, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a shootout. Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers struggled to find rhythm against a swarming Rebels defense that applied relentless pressure all night. The Bulldogs managed just 275 total yards, with most of those coming in a desperate fourth-quarter rally.
Ole Miss, meanwhile, didn’t light up the scoreboard either—but they didn’t have to. Quarterback Jaxson Dart made key plays when it counted, including a beautifully timed 32-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jordan Watkins in the second quarter that gave the Rebels a crucial lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
“This was a war,” said head coach Lane Kiffin after the game, hoisting the Golden Egg trophy high. “People talk about offense a lot when it comes to us, but tonight, our defense showed why we’re a complete football team. That’s a championship-level effort right there.”
Indeed, the Rebels’ defense was the star of the night. Linebacker Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste led the charge with 10 tackles, including two sacks, while safety Trey Washington sealed the win with a clutch interception with under two minutes to play.
It was a game of inches, penalties, and punishing hits. Mississippi State, under interim coach Greg Knox, showed fight throughout and had the home crowd on their feet after cutting the lead to 17-10 midway through the fourth quarter. But a crucial fourth-down stop by the Rebels’ front seven ended the comeback bid cold.
The victory gives Ole Miss (10-2, 6-2 SEC) double-digit wins for just the third time in the past two decades and strengthens their bid for a New Year’s Six bowl. More importantly, it keeps the Egg Bowl trophy in Oxford for another year—a symbolic and emotional win that resonates far beyond the record books.
As fans stormed the field in red and blue, chants of “Hotty Toddy!” echoed through Davis Wade Stadium, silencing the clanging of cowbells and sending a clear message: Ole Miss football is more than just flash—it’s fight.
“This was personal,” said defensive end Cedric Johnson. “This is for the state, for the fans, for everyone who’s ever played in this rivalry. We came to handle business—and we did.” this year’s Egg Bowl didn’t just belong to Ole Miss—it belonged to the heart and soul of Rebel Nation.
