Video: Mullen, Fitzgerald Talk Significance of the Egg Bowl for MSU
STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI/MSU Athletics) – One of college football’s most storied rivalries returns to Thanksgiving night in primetime as No. 14 Mississippi State squares off with Ole Miss in the 90th Battle for the Golden Egg at 6:30 p.m. in Davis Wade Stadium. For complete gameday information, visit HailState.com/gameday.
It’s the 114th overall meeting between the two schools, a rivalry that has seen the Bulldogs claim five out of the last eight Golden Egg Trophies. Storylines will be aplenty as State (8-3, 4-3 SEC) aims for its third nine-win season in four years and hopes to put itself in prime position for a New Year’s Day bowl bid.
The Bulldogs climbed two spots to No. 14 in the College Football Playoff rankings released Tuesday night. It’s their highest in the CFP since entering the 2014 Orange Bowl No. 7.
It will be the final home game for 14 seniors who stand just one victory shy of tying the 1942 and 2015 squads as the winningest senior class in program history. This class has won 33 games, been ranked for 25 weeks and will reach a bowl game every year of their careers.
The 14 seniors include: Hunter Bradley, Bennie Braswell III, Tolando Cleveland, Logan Cooke, Lashard Durr, Donald Gray, J.T. Gray, Dez Harris, Traver Jung, Gabe Myles, Josiah Phillips, Martinas Rankin, Jordan Thomas and Kareem Vance. The seniors will be honored in a pre-game ceremony.
Ole Miss comes into the game with a 5-6 record and a 2-5 mark in league play. They feature the SEC’s top aerial attack, averaging 335.8 yards per game passing. They have thrown for over 300 yards in a game eight times this season.
Meanwhile, MSU’s success has come with its physicality, establishing the run and playing tough defense. Nick Fitzgerald (968) and Aeris Williams (944) are seeking to become the third quarterback-running back tandem in SEC history to go over 1,000 yards rushing in the same season. MSU has never produced multiple 1,000-yard rushers in the same season.
Defensively, the Bulldogs have been led by pass rushers Jeffery Simmons and Montez Sweat. Sweat leads the SEC in sacks with nine, while Simmons has been a force inside with 55 tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss.
Tickets/Fan Zone
The Davis Wade Stadium ticket office opens at 3:30 p.m. and all gates will open at 4:30 p.m. The C Spire Fan Zone opens at 2:30 p.m. The “Dawg Walk” will take place at 4:30 p.m. in the Junction.
What To Wear
It’s a “True Maroon” game with all fans encouraged to wear maroon.
Viewing Information
The game will be televised live on ESPN with Dave Flemming (play-by-play), Greg McElroy (analyst) and Laura Rutledge (sideline) calling the action. Live streaming video is available via the ESPN app and WatchESPN.com.
Listening Information
The MSU Sports Network C Spire Tailgate Show goes live at 4:30 p.m. Neil Price, Matt Wyatt and Jay Perry will call the game on the network (check for affiliates here). Live audio is also available for FREE at HailState.com and via the TuneIn app. For fans in Starkville, they can tune to 100.9 FM.
Social Media/Live Stats
Live updates from the game are available via MSU’s official social media channels: Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (click the links). Fans can also follow behind-the-scenes content via SnapChat by searching for HailStateSnap. Live stats are available via Stat Broadcast at MSU.StatBroadcast.com.
Dowsing-Bell Plaza Dedication
MSU will honor its first African-American student-athletes, Frank Dowsing Jr. and Robert Bell, with the dedication of the Dowsing-Bell Plaza on the north end outside of Davis Wade Stadium at 4 p.m. The ceremony will include remarks from President Dr. Mark Keenum and Director of Athletics John Cohen.
Clear Bag Policy
Fans are reminded of the SEC’s league-wide clear bag policy this season. Fans are encouraged not to bring any types of bags inside SEC stadiums during football games; however, the following outlines bags that are permitted:
— Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12″ x 6″ x 12″
— One-gallon clear plastic freezer bags (Ziploc bag or similar)
— Small clutch bags, with or without a handle or strap, that do not exceed 4.5″ x 6.5″ (approximately the size of a hand)
— An exception will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at gates B and I of Davis Wade Stadium.
— Full details are available at HailState.com/clearbag.
Golf Cart/Low-Speed Vehicle Policy
Fans also are reminded that all privately owned golf carts are expected to operate in the same manner as an automobile or other motorized vehicle.
— All golf carts must comply with Mississippi Motor Vehicle and Traffic regulations. (See Miss. Code Annotated Title 63-1-1 seq.)
— Operators of private golf carts must possess a valid driver’s license and proper insurance identifying the vehicle driven.
— All privately owned golf carts operated on campus must possess a valid license plate.
— Privately owned golf carts may only be operated on streets open for public traffic. Privately owned golf carts will not be allowed access to roadways closed prior to game time, such as Creelman Street, Barr Avenue, B.S. Hood Drive, and Stone Boulevard.
— Without exception, private golf carts are prohibited on any grass or any tailgating areas, such as the Cullis Wade Depot lawn, Fan Fare area, the Junction, West Lawn tent area, or other areas on gameday.
— Privately owned golf carts may not be driven alongside any closed road or on any sidewalks or grass.
— Privately owned golf carts must possess a license plate and have a valid Bulldog Club Parking Pass or Public Paid Parking Pass to park in campus lots on gameday. As with automobiles, golf carts may not exit and re-enter reserved or pay lots on gamedays.
— Violation of these rules could result in the issuance of traffic citations and other penalties, as outlined by state laws and/or university policies.
— Privately owned all-terrain, four wheel, farm utility, “gators” or other side-by-side vehicles are also prohibited on campus.
Smoke Free Campus
Davis Wade Stadium is a clear air facility. Smoking in any form is prohibited on campus. For more details, visit smokefree.msstate.edu.
Weather
The forecast calls for clear skies and temperatures in the lower 40s at kickoff.
Times of Interest
Time Clock Event
2:30:00 p.m. — Fan Zone Opens
3:30:00 p.m. — Davis Wade Stadium Ticket Office Opens
4:30:00 p.m. — Gates Open
4:30:00 p.m. — Dawg Walk
5:05:00 p.m. — Team On Field
5:31:00 p.m. 60:00 60-Minute Clock Countdown Begins
5:56:00 p.m. 35:00 Teams Leave Field
6:12:30 p.m. 18:30 National Anthem
6:18:00 p.m. 13:00 Mississippi State Intro Video
6:19:30 p.m. 11:30 Mississippi State Takes Field
6:20:00 p.m. 11:00 Senior Video
6:21:00 p.m. 10:00 Senior Recognition
6:28:00 p.m. 3:00 Coin Toss
6:29:30 p.m. 1:30 Ole Miss Takes Field
6:31:00 p.m. 0:00 Kickoff
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