Ole Miss holds a narrow lead over Mississippi State at halftime of the Egg Bowl

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

The Rebels defense got off to a fast start with an interception by Ole Miss linebacker Pooh Paul. However, the offense failed to pay off and settled for a Caden Davis field goal attempt that gave the Rebels an early 3-0 lead.

The Bulldogs responded 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 ran into the end zone to give the Dawgs the lead.

The Rebs responded with a drive capped by a 6-yard touchdown run by JJ Pegues, but the Bulldogs responded with a drive of their own following a touchdown run by Van Buren, making the score 14-10 MSU.

The score faded 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 of the ensuing possession to make it 17-14 in Ole Miss’ favor .

The Bulldogs relied on the deep ball in the first half, but the Rebels defense held firm in the second quarter.

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

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

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