While rains beat down on Scott Field night, the Mississippi Rebels beat down on the hapless Mississippi State Bulldogs 31-0. The loss ended 13-year head coach Jackie Sherrill’s career with an embarrassing nationally televised slush fest.
Sherrill takes with him an 8-27 record over his final three years at the reins of a floundering undisciplined football program. Like all other opposing quarterbacks, Mississippi’s Eli Manning had fun against the Bulldog secondary. The senior from New Orleans completed 19 of 27 passes for 260 yards and three touchdowns.
“There’s no question his brother has worked with him an awful lot,” Sherrill said after the Dawgs were destroyed by Mississippi. “Eli’s much further along at this stage than Peyton was. There’s not a better quarterback in the country than Eli.”
Manning’s key target was senior Chris Collins who brought in eight receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown. Collins scored the Rebels final score in the third quarter on a quick out to Collins who eluded a Bulldog tackler and coasted untouched for a 23-yard touchdown.
The MSU offense missed opportunities, missed blocks, dropped passes and only converted 2 of 14 third downs on its way to being shut out for a second time this season. The Dawgs’ offense only produced 192 yards, while Mississippi totaled 359.
Bulldog quarterback Kevin Fant struggled from the get-go. At intermission Fant was 4 of 11 for 18 yards and an interception. The senior finished the night completing 14 of 28 attempts for 91 yards against a Rebel secondary that ranked 114th in the nation giving up an average of 290 passing yards a game.
“I take the blame for this loss,” Fant said. “I should have had these guys prepared more than this.”
Fant was not the only fault in the Dawgs’ loss. The injured offensive line allowed the Rebel defense to sack Fant three times along with multiple hurries.
MSU (2-10, 1-7) began the game with an emotionally charged defensive stop. The Dawgs actually looked like a team that could beat the 9-3, 7-1 SEC rival Rebels but the momentum changed in the middle of the second quarter.
The Bulldogs trailed 7-0 when Sherrill decided to go for a fourth and one from the Dawgs own 38-yard line. Fant fumbled the snap and didn’t get the first down. Four plays later Mississippi scored a touchdown and would add 10 more points before halftime to wipe away any chance of an upset in Starkville.
“The players wanted to do it,” Sherrill said on the fourth down conversion attempt. “I asked if we could make it and I usually go on their decision.”
The Bulldogs have been the doormat of the SEC for the past three seasons where they have produced a 3-21 record versus conference foes. They also have been outscored 267 to 57 since Sherrill announced his retirement. In his post game press conference Sherrill apologized for his team’s downfall.
“It certainly was a very good ride,” said Sherrill, who turned 60 the next day. “I’m sorry we couldn’t finish the last couple of years like we should have, but I have no regrets.”