Better Bowl Bid Comes To Winner Of Egg Bowl

Nov. 23, 1999

By MARY FOSTER
AP Sports Writer

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Injured quarterbacks, short weeks, bouncing back after losses, state bragging rights, an edge in recruiting, a better bowl bid. Take your pick for a theme for the Mississippi-Mississippi State game Thursday night.

Since 1947, No. 18 Mississippi State (8-2, 5-2 SEC) and No. 23 Mississippi (7-3, 4-3) have ended the regular seasoning battling for the Golden Egg.

"It's a very intense rivalry," said Mississippi coach David Cutcliffe. "It's certainly one of the best rivalries in the nation. Since the two schools are so close, that adds to the intensity of the game and recruiting and everything else."

This year the game takes on extra meaning as both teams try to improve their bowl status.

"It's a game where there are an awful lot of things involved," said Mississippi State coach Jackie Sherrill. "You've got two schools who have accomplished a lot: two schools that are going to bowls, two schools that have competed for the championship. A lot of times it's not, but this game is good for both schools."

And you also have two teams with quarterback problems.

Ole Miss quarterback Romaro Miller injured his right ankle in Mississippi's 20-17 loss to Georgia. He was held out of practice on Monday.

"We're doing everything we can to get him ready," Cutcliffe said. "We'll know more later in the week."

Mississippi State quarterback Wayne Madkin sustained a concussion in the Bulldogs' 14-9 loss to Arkansas, but Sherrill expects Madkin to be ready for the game.

"He's fine and he will start," Sherrill said. "I wish that he was my only concern about getting healthy."

The Bulldogs will try to break a two-game slide that hit them after going undefeated through eight games.

Add a short week to everything else. Both teams played on Saturday night, but while Mississippi was at home, the Bulldogs were on the road in Arkansas. Sherrill said that makes his week a lot shorter.

"The advantage certainly goes to Mississippi when you talk about the short week," Sherrill said. "We got back at 3 a.m. and played a very tough, physical game at night in a very difficult environment.

Cutcliffe may not feel he has much of an advantage, but says he likes playing Thanksgiving especially when the game is nationally televised.

"It's a short week, but it's a great opportunity to showcase a great rivalry," Cutcliffe said. "We're the only game on that night. We look forward to the opportunity."

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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