Ole Miss DL Cedric Johnson talks about his experiences in the Egg Bowl and what it means to him and his teammates
OXFORD, Miss. — Egg Bowl Week is upon us as the Ole Miss Rebels will play the Mississippi State Bulldogs Thursday night in Starkville. The Rebels have a 50-30-4 record in the matchup and look to win their third game in the last four matchups in the heated in-state rivalry.
Thursday night will mark Ole Miss defensive lineman Cedric Johnson’s fourth career game against the Bulldogs in as many seasons. Johnson, this year’s Chucky Mullins Courage Award winner, has played 45 total college football games and makes it clear this is not just any other game, it means more.
“We’ve got a lot of guys here from Mississippi. I know some guys may feel like this is the only game that matters to them. Out of the whole season, this game is the one we’ve got to win.”
Cedric Johnson
While Johnson is not from Mississippi, the Mobile, Alabama native, spoke on what he has learned about the game over the years.
“I think just never knowing what to expect really. It could always be something different. Like fans fighting, teams fighting from what I’ve seen in previous years. Extra celebrations that we don’t ever plan on doing again. I feel like you never know what to expect.”
Cedric Johnson
Johnson hit the nail right on the head. In this game you can often throw the teams’ records out the window. The emotion of the rivalry is always evident when the Rebels and Bulldogs square off. This week Ole Miss coaches are leaving the emotion portion of the game to the players.
“They’re trying to stay out of the emotion of it. I mean obviously I feel like we’ll have the emotion in it. I feel like they’re trying to keep it the same as any other game, keep the preparation the same because it’s just another game — but it’s the next big game for us. We’re going to bring the emotion, they get us prepared.”
Cedric Johnson
This season Johnson has been far more healthy than he was last season. He’s tallied 39 total tackles, 17 of which were solo. He’s tied for first on the team in total sacks (5.5) this season with Jared Ivey. Johnson also leads the team in quarterback hurries with a whopping 11 on the season and has forced one fumble.
Although he is in his fourth year in Oxford, he still has one more year off eligibility remaining due to COVID-19. With that said, a healthy Johnson will be able to have more of an impact than he did a season ago in what could be his last Egg Bowl.
Game info:
Ole Miss kicks off against State on Thanksgiving night at 6:30 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on ESPN.
Nick Filipich
Nick Filipich was born and raised in Biloxi, MS. He is an Ole Miss alum with a degree in Sports and Recreation Administration. A sports junkie with a great passion for all things Ole Miss, Nick played baseball and football in high school — which is where he discovered his love for sports. He is an avid Braves and Saints fan, and in his free time enjoys spending time with family, friends and his black lab, Dixie.
