Ole Miss Holds Slim Lead Over Mississippi State at Halftime of Egg Bowl

The Ole Miss Rebels hold a slim advantage over the Mississippi State Bulldogs at the intermission of the 2024 Egg Bowl.

Nov 29, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) looks to pass while defended by Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Branden Jennings (44) during the first quarter at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-Imagn Images / Matt Bush-Imagn Images

OXFORD -- The No. 14 Ole Miss Rebels and Mississippi State Bulldogs are locked in their 121st college football meeting on Friday afternoon, and the host Rebels hold a 17-14 advantage over their in-state rival at halftime.

The Rebels defense got off to a fast start with an interception from Ole Miss linebacker Pooh Paul. The offense, however, couldn’t cash in, settling for a Caden Davis field goal attempt that gave the Rebels an early 3-0 lead. 

The Bulldogs would respond through the air with deep shots to put them in scoring position. Quarterback Michael Van Buren found Kevin Coleman for a 34-yard catch and run into the endzone to give the Dawgs the lead. 

The Rebs responded with a drive capped off by a JJ Pegues six-yard touchdown run, but the Bulldogs responded with one of their own after a Van Buren touchdown run to made it 14-10 MSU. 

The scoring took a backseat after the first quarter until Ole Miss forced a punt, and Ulysses Bentley took the ball 89 yards to the end zone on the first play from scrimmage on the ensuing possession to make it 17-14 in favor of Ole Miss.

The Bulldogs relied on the deep ball throughout the first half but the Rebels' defense held up during the second quarter. 

Caden Davis missed a 54-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter, sending this game to halftime.

At the intermission, Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart is 9-of-13 passing for 90 yards, enough to make him the all-time passing leader in Rebels football history. Bentley leads the team in rushing with 116 yards, and Jordan Watkins is the leading receiver with 35 yards.

You can follow along with in-game updates from Vaught-Hemingway Stadium here.