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This Egg Bowl ‘means everything’ to Will Rogers, Mississippi State
By Les East
Published:
Mississippi State has a bunch of players who have achieved significant accomplishments.
But a victory over Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl on Thursday night in Oxford would be a really big deal.
Will Rogers has splashed his name all over the school record book for passing – completions, yards, touchdowns, etc.
He has completed more passes than any other player in SEC history. He has passed for more than 10,000 yards and ranks 9th in SEC history. His 79 career TD passes are a school record and tied with Andre Woodson for 9th-most in SEC history.
But he hasn’t won an Egg Bowl.
He was a freshman in 2020 when the Rebels won 31-24 in Oxford. He was a sophomore last season when the Rebels won 31-21 in Starkville.
Now he’s a junior. And he’s running out of chances.
Emmanuel Forbes has 6 interception returns for touchdowns. That’s the most in State history, the most in SEC history, the most in FBS history.
But Forbes joined the Bulldogs the same time as Rogers – in 2020, the year after their last victory in the Egg Bowl.
State recognized 22 seniors before their last game in Davis Wade Stadium – a 56-7 victory against East Tennessee State on Saturday.
Several of the seniors have significant accomplishments to their credit.
Austin Williams has played in more games than any other player in State history (61) and is one of the most prolific wide receivers in school history.
He has been a leader on the field, in the classroom and in the community. He’s a semifinalist for multiple national awards that recognize success in all 3 of those areas.
Williams, who arrived on campus in 2017, is a 2-time first-team Academic All-American, a member of the 2022 National Football Foundation National Scholar-Athlete Class, has a 4.0 GPA and is working on his 3rd degree from State.
He even has a win in the Egg Bowl – 2 of them, in fact. But that was way back in 2018 and 2019, though the 35-3 victory in ’18 was later vacated because of NCAA violations.
But that Egg Bowl success from the early stages of his career would be overshadowed by finishing his career with a 3-game losing streak in the Egg Bowl.
Among the other seniors recognized Saturday were wide receiver Caleb Ducking, who leads the team with 8 touchdown receptions; linebacker Nathaniel Watson, who leads the team in tackles for loss (8.5); and linebacker Tyrus Wheat, who leads the team in sacks (5.0).
But being the leading anything on a team that loses in the Egg Bowl won’t be as satisfying or as memorable as being a leader on a team that wins the Egg Bowl – and ends a 2-year losing streak in it.
Other key contributors looking to win their final Egg Bowl are defensive linemen Jordan Davis, Randy Charlton, Jaden Crumedy and Cameron Young and safety Collin Duncan.
One senior did not participate in the Senior Day festivities. Graduate linebacker Jett Johnson, the leading tackler a year ago and the 2nd-leading tackler this season, plans to take advantage of an extra season of eligibility due to COVID.
So he’ll get another crack at the Rebels in 2023 when Senior Day and the Egg Bowl intersect on Thanksgiving in Starkville.
Presumably, Rogers will also be recognized that night next year — and by that time he might have passed Aaron Murray’s 121 career TD passes and be the SEC’s new leader.
But regardless of what individuals have already accomplished and what the future might hold for them, only one thing matters right now and that’s winning this Egg Bowl.
“It would mean everything,” Rogers said. “That’s all I’m really worried about right now. I think (the Rebels) really do a good job. You can say what you want to say, but Coach (Lane) Kiffin has done a great job of getting their guys ready to play and getting them excited, so I know they will be ready to play.
“We have to answer the call and we have to be ready to go Thursday night.”
Les East is a New Orleans-based football writer who covers LSU for SaturdayDownSouth.com. Follow him on Twitter @Les_East.
