Ole Miss Caps Record-Breaking Regular Season With Dominant Egg Bowl Win over Mississippi State

STARKVILLE, Miss. — On a beautiful Friday that felt tailor-made for history, Ole Miss walked into Davis Wade Stadium and walked out with something no Rebel team had ever claimed before: an 11-win regular season. Lane Kiffin’s squad handled business in Starkville, defeating Mississippi State 38–19 and closing the book on a campaign that now sits alone atop the Ole Miss record books.

The win not only secured a third straight Egg Bowl victory — the program’s first three-peat since the early 2000s — but also pushed the Rebels to 50 wins since 2021, a mark matched by only Georgia and Alabama in the SEC over that span. Few teams in college football have been more consistently successful.

But in front of a roaring cowbell crowd and a feisty Mississippi State team powered by a breakout performance from freshman quarterback Kamario Taylor, Ole Miss had to earn every bit of it.

Chambliss, Lacy Lead an Explosive Night on Offense

Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss delivered a very solid outing, slicing up the Bulldog secondary for 359 yards and four touchdowns on 23-of-34 passing. In spite a few errant passes, the senior showed complete command — poise in the pocket, perfectly timed touch throws when they needed them, and the steady leadership expected from someone who has guided the Rebels all season.

Running back Kewan Lacy, already rewriting school record books, added another chapter with 143 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries. His performance vaulted him into third place on the Ole Miss single-season rushing list and made him just the 12th player in SEC history to score 20 rushing touchdowns in one season. The Doak Walker Award finalist continues to shine when the lights are brightest.

Ole Miss spread the ball around through the air, with seven receivers recording catches.

• Cayden Lee led in receptions (7 for 77 yards)
• Deuce Alexander led in yards (2 for 94), highlighted by an 88-yard touchdown, tying the longest pass play in school history
• De’Zhaun Stribling hauled in 2 touchdowns
• Harrison Wallace III added a score and several key chain-movers

The balanced attack proved too much for a Mississippi State defense that fought early but eventually wore down.

Defense Bends but Breaks Just Enough

Mississippi State freshman Kamario Taylor made things uncomfortable throughout the night, rushing for a staggering 173 yards and nearly keeping the Bulldogs in striking distance by himself. But Ole Miss countered with timely stops, steady tackling, and big-time plays from its front seven.

Linebackers TJ Dottery and Kapena Gushiken each finished with nine tackles, while Suntarine Perkins and Andrew Jones added eight apiece.

Up front, Da’Shawn Womack delivered one of his best performances as a Rebel:

• 2.0 tackles for loss
• A solo sack
• A forced fumble
• Constant pressure that disrupted State’s rhythm

Defensive tackle Will Echoles added 2.0 TFL, a sack, and a batted ball that turned into the first career interception for Princewill Umanmielen, who also tallied a sack of his own.

The defense tightened in the red zone, holding MSU to field goals in key moments — just enough breathing room for the Rebel offense to find separation.

How the Game Unfolded

Fast Start, Faster Response

Ole Miss struck immediately with a 31-yard touchdown run by Lacy, but State answered with a 97-yard drive, powered by Taylor’s legs. The Rebels counterpunched with a touchdown to Wallace, setting the tone for a back-and-forth opening quarter.

A Defensive Grind in the Second

Both defenses stiffened as flags, sacks, and miscues slowed momentum. Lucas Carneiro missed a rare short field goal, but the Rebel defense grabbed it right back with Umanmielen’s interception. Late in the half, Chambliss engineered a masterful two-minute drive capped by a highlight-reel touchdown from Stribling to give Ole Miss a 21–10 halftime lead.

Pulling Away After the Break

Mississippi State cut into the lead early in the third, but Ole Miss answered with a Carneiro field goal to reestablish an 11-point cushion. Early in the fourth, Chambliss found Stribling again — a gorgeous back-shoulder throw — stretching the advantage to 31–13.

After another long Taylor touchdown kept State briefly alive, Chambliss delivered the knockout punch: an 88-yard strike to Deuce Alexander, tying the longest play in school history and sealing the 38–19 victory.

What’s Next for the Rebels

With the regular season complete, Ole Miss (11–1, 7–1 SEC) now turns its attention to the postseason picture. The Rebels will be watching the Texas A&M–Texas and Iron Bowl matchups closely, as losses by both the Aggies and Alabama would send Ole Miss to its first-ever SEC Championship Game.

The College Football Playoff committee announces its final selections Sunday, Dec. 7 on ESPN.