http://www.thedmonline.com/victories_over_lsu%252C_msu_cap_8-win_season
The Ole Miss Rebels (8-4, 5-3) were not slowed down the day after Thanksgiving as coach Houston Nutt and company knocked off rival Mississippi State (4-8, 2,6) 45-0 in Oxford.
Thanks to a team record 11 sacks, including three from defensive end Greg Hardy, and a four touchdown day from quarterback Jevan Snead, the Rebels were never challenged the entire afternoon.
The win was a stark contrast from last year’s Egg Bowl, where the Bulldogs came from behind to beat the Rebels, which led to the firing of coach Ed Orgeron and the eventual hiring of Nutt.
The Ole Miss defense as a whole was relentless, holding Mississippi State to only 34 total yards of offense including negative 51 yards rushing and only 85 yards passing.
Besides Hardy, tackle Peria Jerry recorded five tackles for a loss and one sack, while linebacker Patrick Trahan, tackle Jerrell Powe, and end Kentrell Lockett had two tackles for a loss a piece.
“(The defensive linemen) believe in each other,” Nutt said. “They know the person next to them with their hand in the ground; they know how hard he’s going to play. It motivates him when he knows his brother next to him is going to go as hard as he can. It makes them want to go as hard as he can. They try to beat each other to the quarterback.”
Daily Mississippian
12/1/08
Magnolia Tribune
