Mississippi State began the day for its state by shocking Texas A&M. Ole Miss ended it with an even bigger shocker.
Putting the finishing touches on the greatest football day ever in the state of Mississippi, Ole Miss slugged it out with second-ranked Alabama and came away from the Grove with a stunning 23-17 come-from behind win. The Rebels scored a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter to secure the win, including a 10-yard scoring toss from Bo Wallace to Jaylen Walton with 2:54 left that proved to be the game-winner.
The stunning upset was sealed with a tremendous interception by Senquez Golden in the back of the end zone with :37 seconds remaining -- and following a replay review that actually got the call right.
It was appropriate, though, that the defense iced the win as that side of the ball was the story of the contest for both teams.
The Tide held the Rebels potent attack to 325 yards of offense, and forced one turnover that led to a score. The Rebels, meanwhile, held the Tide to 396 yards; UA had totaled at least 538 yards in each of its previous four games this season.
The 10th-ranked Rebels are now 5-0 on the season, the first time they’ve hit that mark since 1962. The No. 2 Tide dropped to 4-1 on the year.
Pending the result of the LSU-Auburn game, Ole Miss and Ole Mississippi State could very well be alone at the top of the SEC West at the end of the day. Anyone who saw that result before the beginning of the season put your hands up... and put ‘em right back now because all y’all are lying. Or grab a cup because you’re going to be pee tested. One of the two.
Regardless, this is one day that many a fan in the state of Mississippi will never forget, and rightfully so. They’ll be partying in the Grove and in Stark Vegas long after the clock strikes midnight, which certainly didn’t happen for these two Cinderella programs who could be very well making noise deep into December and on into January.
Oh, by the way, Ole Miss will host Mississippi State Nov. 29 in what’s shaping up to be the most epic Egg Bowl ever. That’s provided, of course, that both teams can make it through the remainder of the West gauntlet unscathed. Yeah, good luck with that.