Egg Bowl Stories

Thank you for your questions.

Back in the mid 1920’s the rivalry got overheated (sound familiar) and the school’s created a trophy to try and settle it down.
It is supposed to be a golden football but looked more like an egg hence it became the “Battle for the Golden Egg”.
In 1979, both teams were struggling and going nowhere and a Clarion-Ledger sports writer dubbed it “The Egg Bowl” and it has stuck ever since.
Now for some background, in the early years , State actually had the upper hand in the rivalry. In 1947, OM hired Johnny Vaught and over the next 27 years, OM was 21-2-4 against State. In 1973 State hired Bob Tyler (whom Johnny Vaught wanted hired to replace himself when he retired at OM). OM regrets that decision to this very day. Tyler transformed the State program and since 1974, the rivalry has been relatively even.
From 1973-1990 the Game was played in Jackson. Since 1991 it has been back on the respective campuses.
Specific game memories:
1963-I was too young to attend but OM was trailing 10-7 late and drove to the goal line on fourth down chose to kick the FG for the tie. That ensured them the SEC title (their last one by the way). State fans were incensed as we would have rather lost the game than tie it (you have to realize that State had beaten OM since 1946).
1964-State upsets OM in Oxford 20-17 in the first ever televised game between these two teams. Perhaps that was karma biting OM for settling for the tie the year before).
1973-my very first college football game. OM won 38-10.
1974-Rockey Felker led State to a 31-13 victory and a Sun Bowl bid. (First bowl since 1963).
1976-1977- were State victories but later the NCAA in a draconian stupid decision, made us forfeit them.
1981-Phantom Interference call in the end zone with 6 seconds left led to OM upsetting State 21-17. Check the Youtube video. A pathetic call.
1983-Immaculate Deflection - State’s Artie Cosby has a chip shot 27 yard FG to win the game. A 40 mile per hour wind gust holds the ball at the uprights and OM wins the game 24-23. I was there. Still can’t believe it to this day.
1991-first game back on campus in 18 years
State wins 24-9. First time we have beaten OM in Starkvegas since 1942.
1992-The Stand. OM stops State three different times inside the 10 yard line inside the last 2-3 minutes of the game to win 17-10.
1997-The Fight-OM wins 15-14 on a late two point conversion. Fight was before the game.
1998-1999-State wins both. ‘98 game clinched the W title (28-6) and the ‘99 game was the famous kick, pick, kick game where State rallied from 20-6 to win 23-20 in the fourth quarter.
That is enough for now. The more recent games are fresh on everybody’s mind and/or we can add to them later in the thread.

I had a drunk 65ish year old OM fan confront me for some reason wanting to fight as I was leaving Vaught. I was maybe 24 at the time. Someone he was with had to pull him away at which point he fell over and couldn't get up. I wanted to help him but his crew said they would take care of it. I was really sad afterwards because we lost, they won yet old man was still angry. Take it easy on the sauce old dudes and don't drink and drive. And don't be angry, life is to short for that shite. It is Thanksgiving, and one last thing go to hell OM. Cheers to all.

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1981-Phantom Interference

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The official was Dick Pace. Worst call I’ve ever seen. I actually thought he was going to call offensive interference.

You missed the best time of year. The delta has the best cotton farms to take pictures out in cotton fields. You aren't a true southerner until you have your picture in a cotton field.

I thought the same thing.

Here’s video of the ‘81 incident

LINK

Cost State a 5-1 SEC season. Georgia was 6-0 so it wouldn’t have been a title.

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That 1998 game in Oxford was the only time I ever ran into problems with opposing fans. State had upset Arkansas the week before and with a win, they would go to Atlanta.

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How about the 1996 infamous Brad Lott game in Oxford? For those that don’t know, Brad Lott (the brother of Trent) got into some hot water for yelling the n-word at State players. Old times there are not forgotten, indeed.

The story goes that Mr. Lott paid Eric Dotson to procure his commitment to Ole Miss. Eric allegedly took his money and went to MSU instead. Fast forward to the 1996 Egg Bowl and Mr. Lott getting his revenge from the stands.

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The story goes that Mr. Lott paid Eric Dotson to procure his commitment to Ole Miss. Eric allegedly took his money and went to MSU instead. Fast forward to the 1996 Egg Bowl and Mr. Lott getting his revenge from the stands.

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The same Brad Lott received the infamous Disassociated Booster status

Dirtbag never missed a payment , much less a ballgame

I think my favorite part of this rivalry are the Ole Miss fans that claim they don’t care about it. One of their writers tweeted recently if they win the trophy should be left on the field. No two teams in the country hate each other quite like State and OM. If this game was played for a a division title every year, it would be the best in college football. I honestly think the fact that both teams are irrelevant in the major CFB picture makes the rivalry that much better. These kids look forward to this game every year.

Let us not forget Dak coming into the egg bowl hurt and leading us to the win in 13. That is one of my favorite games of all time. Then Anthony Dixon nearly killing that photographer on a touchdown one year. I am telling you if this rivalry had the exposure that others get it would be the best in college football.