Football Falls To Mississippi State, 36-28

Nov 22, 2001

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By RALPH D. RUSSO
AP Sports Writer

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Dontae Walker ran for three touchdowns and Dicenzo Miller had 182 all-purpose yards as Mississippi State beat Mississippi 36-28 Thursday night in the Egg Bowl.

The Bulldogs (3-7, 2-6 Southeastern Conference) won the 98th meeting between the schools. The victory helps salvage a disappointing season for Mississippi State that began in the Top 25 but deteriorated into a last-place finish in the SEC West.

Eli Manning was 16-for-36 for 213 yards and two touchdowns for the Rebels (6-4, 3-4), but was picked off three times in the fourth quarter. Ole Miss has lost three straight.

The Bulldogs came in with the conference's worst offense, ranking last in total yards and scoring.

But the Rebels defense, ranked near the bottom of the league in points allowed and last against the run, proved to be just what the Bulldogs needed to snap out of a season-long slump.

Dontae Walker's 7-yard touchdown run, his second of the night, gave Mississippi State its first lead, 22-21, with 1:52 left in the third quarter.

Walker carried 20 times for 79 yards and Miller had 22 for 121 as the tailback tandem finally looked like the combo that helped the Bulldogs lead the SEC in rushing last year.

The defense held Ole Miss scoreless through the first 26 minutes of the second half and helped set up the Bulldogs' final two touchdowns with interceptions.

With about 5 minutes gone in the fourth quarter, Manning's short pass went through the hands of Jamie Armstrong and into the arms of diving Korey Banks at the Ole Miss 20.

The Bulldogs ran Walker five straight times, the last a 1-yard leap over the line for a touchdown to make it 29-21 with 8:40 left.

Banks struck again on the next series, cutting in front of a Manning's intended receiver to give the Bulldogs the ball at the Rebels 22.

Four plays later, wide receiver Ray Ray Bivines, lining up in the shotgun at quarterback, took the snap and swept around the right side for a 7-yard touchdown run and a 36-21 lead.

Kevin Fant was sharp in his second start at quarterback for Mississippi State, completing 14 of 21 passes for 263 yards and a touchdown. Justin Jenkins caught seven passes for 116 yards.

Manning hit Ross Barkley with a 19-yard touchdown pass with 3 minutes left to cut the lead to 36-28 and Ole Miss recovered the ensuing onside kick.

But Manning's pas was intercepted by Demetric Wright on a fourth-and-9 play from the Bulldogs 28 to end the Rebels' hopes.

Both teams moved the ball effectively in the first half.

Mississippi State cut the lead to 14-12 on an 11-yard pass from Fant to Miller late in the second quarter. The 2-point conversion attempt failed. Miller caught two passes for 61 yards.

But Joe Gunn's second 1-yard touchdown run of the first half gave the Rebels a 21-12 lead at halftime.

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