Lane Kiffin usually isn’t one to mince phrases, however his description of the Egg Bowl is unquestionably on the diplomatic aspect.
Mississippi
No. 20 Ole Miss goes for 3 in row against Mississippi State
“It looks like there’s not a variety of love within the relationship, I suppose” Kiffin mentioned. “That’s a pleasant manner of placing it But it surely means so much to lots of people.”
It’s Spherical 3 for Kiffin vs. Mike Leach, who’ve each upgraded flagging applications within the Magnolia State. On this case, it’s Quinshon Judkins and the nation’s No. 3 speeding workforce (Ole Miss) towards Will Rogers and the ninth-rated passing offense.
Each types have produced loads of yards however late-season slumps impacted each groups. Ole Miss has dropped three of 4, with losses to prime 10 groups LSU and Alabama but additionally to Arkansas.
The Bulldogs bought again on monitor from their very own 1-3 stretch with a 56-7 victory over East Tennessee State.
The Bulldogs now purpose to halt their current struggles towards Ole Miss. For Leach, meaning slowing down Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart and Judkins. After which ensuring his Air Raid scheme hits its marks.
“Simply play quick,” Leach mentioned. “We’ve bought to play quick, and we do a few of that ourselves. The important thing with them is their quarterback and the way shortly he can transition with out being affected. The extra you may frustrate that, the higher off you’re.”
And the extra you beat your rival, the happier your followers and workforce are.
“You possibly can see the hate on the sphere,” Ole Miss broad receiver Jonathan Mingo mentioned.
Kiffin has repeatedly dodged questions concerning the Auburn teaching opening. He did fireplace again on Twitter at a TV reporter who reported Monday that Kiffin would step down on Friday however hadn’t been supplied the job. In a single response, he mentioned “that’s information to me.”
“I’ve been right here three years and been lucky sufficient to have three totally different contracts,” Kiffin mentioned earlier that day. “I don’t know why a fourth contract hastily makes folks really feel higher.
“I’m very appreciative of issues right here.”
Judkins and Zach Evans have a shot at giving Ole Miss two 1,000-yard rushers in a season for the primary time. Judkins leads the SEC with 1,385 yards and a faculty single-season document 16 touchdowns. Evans’ 899 speeding yards ranks fifth. Each topped 200 yards towards Arkansas.
Rogers has tried 527 passes in comparison with Dart’s 283, although Dart opened rotating with Luke Altmyer. Rogers has handed for 3,474 yards with 32 touchdowns and simply 5 interceptions. Dart has handed for two,363 yards and 16 touchdowns whereas throwing eight interceptions.
Bulldogs cornerback Emmanuel Forbes once more demonstrated the hazard of a quarterback throwing his manner. He had his third pick-six this season and FBS-record sixth in his profession final weekend. He leads FBS with six interceptions and is tied for eighth with 14 passes defended.
Mingo would favor to not even rely the Bulldogs’ final Egg Bowl win. Mississippi State escaped with a 21-20 victory in 2019 after Ole Miss receiver Elijah Moore was penalized for celebrating a landing by crawling and pretending to urinate like a canine. Ole Miss missed the additional level try after it was pushed again 15 yards.
“I nonetheless rely myself as 2-0 towards Mississippi State,” Mingo mentioned. “If we might have went to extra time with Mississippi State my freshman yr, we might have gained. So I’m 2-0 towards them and I’m making an attempt to complete 3-0.”
AP Sports activities Author Gary B. Graves contributed to this report.
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