Instant Reaction: Rebels defeat State, 31-21, to Bring Golden Egg Back Home to Oxford

Ole Miss defeated State, 31-21, Thursday night, finishing the regular season 10-2. Here is our instant reaction on the big win.

Positive

• Ten regular season wins!!! First time in Ole Miss history.
• Ole Miss offense was 11 for 18 on third down.
• After struggling in previous games, the Rebs were five for five in the red zone, scoring touchdowns on four of the five trips.
• Timely defensive play. The defense only allowed the Bulldogs to convert four of fourteen third downs. The Rebs held MSU to just two touchdowns in six red zone trips. They had two sacks on third down and a batted pass on fourth down they proved to be game changers

Negative 

• An ill-advised pass in the fourth quarter turned into an interception leading to seven points for Mississippi State.
• Eleven penalties for 73 yards. Two consecutive pre-snap penalties on defense helped Bulldogs find the end zone for the first time, in the fourth quarter

Offensive Co-MVP: Matt Corral and Dontario Drummond

• Corral and Drummond put on a show in the Egg Bowl. Corral completed 25 of 33 passes for 234 yards with one touchdown and one interception and added 45 rushing yards on 12 carries and a touchdown on the ground.  Drummond finished the game with 14 catches for 138 yards.

Defensive MVP: Sam Williams

• Sam Williams was the most disruptive player on the Ole Miss defense tonight. He finished the game with five tackles, two sacks and two tackles for loss.

Play of the Game: Snoop Conner 1-yd TD run

• Conner’s touchdown run in the second quarter gave the Rebels the lead and they never trailed again.

(Feature image: Josh McCoy, Ole Miss)