BLOG: STARKVILLE — Ole Miss’ end to the 2011 season, and the head coaching career of Houston Nutt, resulted in yet another loss Saturday night.Mississippi State defeated Ole Miss for the third straight season at Davis Wade Stadium with a 31-3 victory that not only gave the Rebels their only 10-loss season in program history but extended their losing streak to 14 games in the Southeastern Conference.
“It’s not the way I wanted to go out. We’re a team that’s very fragile and you can’t turn the ball over just like on the opening kickoff (of the third quarter). When things go bad, they go bad,” Nutt said following the loss. “It’s a team that lacks a little confidence right now.”
The Rebels lack of confidence showed as they struggled in all phases of the game. Ole Miss (2-10 overall) totaled just 202 yards on offense, with 61 yards coming on one of the final plays of the game with the game already decided. MSU, which became bowl eligible with the victory, totaled 317 yards, with 264 coming on the ground.
Quarterback Chris Relf, starting his final game at home for MSU, threw two touchdown passes in the win, while Vick Ballard rushed 23 times for 144 yards and a touchdown. MSU also got a TD run and TD reception from LaDarius Perkins.
Nutt said despite the way the season ended up, he felt like good days are ahead for the Rebels and their new coach.
“There are a lot of good young talent and I told them to get ready, to make a real sacrifice and go to work,” Nutt said. “I told our seniors to finish school. I know everybody always thinks about the NFL but really it stands for Not For Long so make sure to take care of your school.”
For more coverage from Saturday’s “Egg Bowl” see the Sports section in Monday’s EAGLE. (November 27, 2011)
