Ole Miss picks up historic Egg Bowl win, Lane Kiffin updates situation originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Ole Miss entered the Egg Bowl chasing a program-first 11-win regular season, a milestone coach Lane Kiffin had flirted with but never secured. Across the field, Mississippi State turned to Kemario Taylor for his first career start, with bowl eligibility still within reach for the Bulldogs.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe SEC’s second-most-played rivalry delivered stakes, star power and familiar chaos from the outset.
Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss opened the night by finding Harrison Wallace in a voided area of the Mississippi State zone for a 34-yard gain, helping set the tempo for Ole Miss. The Bulldogs countered by deploying a 3-3-5 defensive alignment against Kewan Lacy, the nation’s leader in total touchdowns — a decision that quickly unraveled.
Lacy ran for 143 yards and raced largely untouched on a 30-yard scoring run, capping a five-play, 74-yard drive that spanned 1:55 and gave Ole Miss an immediate 7-0 lead.
Taylor answered following a muffed kickoff that pinned Mississippi State at its own 3, and with Kavon Booth suspended for the first half, the freshman quarterback took control. Taylor barreled, juked and spun through defenders on a possession he finished with a 22-yard touchdown run. He posted 173 yards and two rushing scores on the night, including a pivotal 39-yard burst in the third quarter that electrified the home sideline.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementChambliss was nearly flawless in the first half, completing his first seven passes before misfiring on four straight throws in the second quarter. He regained command after the break and finished 23 of 34 for 359 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions — his fourth game this season with at least 300 passing yards and 50 rushing yards.
The performance matched a 30-year high for quarterback outings that included 300 passing yards and 50 rushing yards without an interception, tying former Texas A&M star Johnny Manziel for the second-most such games over that span, trailing only Jayden Daniels.
Ole Miss locked down on defense after Taylor’s interception — his first of the season — and traded field goals to maintain control. Chambliss later connected with wideout Deuce Alexander for an 88-yard touchdown to put the game out of reach, extending Ole Miss’ lead to 35-16 and effectively sealing the outcome.
The Rebels’ 38-19 victory delivered its third straight 10-win season, with this year’s 11th win marking a historic finish for the program. Chambliss’ statistical resume strengthened his national profile, even if his Heisman candidacy remained largely unmentioned outside Oxford.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAfter the game, Lane Kiffin says he's still undecided on his future and would have a decision by Saturday.
Mississippi State fell short of bowl eligibility, but Taylor’s breakout suggests the Bulldogs may have secured their long-term answer at quarterback. Ole Miss finally secured the regular-season finish it needed.
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