'It Ain't Just Another Game': Rebels' WR Dayton Wade Talks Preparation for 2023 Egg Bowl

Ole Miss Rebels receiver Dayton Wade was available to speak with the media on Monday and revealed how his mentality has changed entering his second Egg Bowl.

The No. 12 Ole Miss Rebels are 9-2 entering college football rivalry week and are one win away from achieving their second 10-win regular season in program history. All they have to do is take down their archrival, the Mississippi State Bulldogs, in enemy territory.

The Rebels have found success under coach Lane Kiffin this season thanks to the plethora of former transfers that he has recruited in the last two years. Ole Miss’ No. 2 receiver this season, Dayton Wade, is among former transfers who have taken massive strides in their second year in Kiffin’s offense.

The senior wideout is preparing for his second Egg Bowl on Thursday, and mentioned during his media availability on Monday that he is far more prepared for the bitter rivalry game than he was a season ago.

“Last year, I can admit, I didn’t really know how deep the rivalry was,” Wade said. “It caught me off guard the first few plays [in 2022], but once I realized what it meant, it made me switch to a different gear.

Nov 18, 2023; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Dayton Wade (19) runs after a catch for a touchdown against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks during the second half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports   / Petre Thomas - USA Today Sports

“Definitely still got a taste in my mind from last year, so I’m looking forward to this one.”

The Rebels lost to Mississippi State 24-22 in the 2022 Egg Bowl at home.

Wade added that he has been telling the new guys who have never fought over the Golden Egg Trophy that they should not treat this like any other game.

“I’ve been the spreading word,” Wade said. “You think it’s just a game, it ain’t just another game, there’s some meaning behind it.”

Wade led the Rebels in receiving last Saturday in their 35-3 win over the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks and added another play to his growing highlight reel with a 58-yard catch and run to the end zone. The Atlanta, Ga., native walked reporters through his electric touchdown reception.

“I had press coverage, so I line up and decided what release I wanted to go with,” Wade said. “I saw how the safeties were aligned, and I felt like it would be better if I took an inside release. As I’m taking my release, I’ve got [the cornerback] on my hip and I just lean stick him to create some separation. As I’m breaking, I catch the ball and all I saw was green grass and I got tunnel vision.”

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Ole Miss takes on Mississippi State on Thanksgiving Day at 6:30 p.m. CT in Davis Wade Stadium, and the game will be televised on ESPN.