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The University of Mississippi Athletics
FRIDAY FLASHBACK: Ole Miss - Mississippi State 1926
11/28/2014 | Football
FRIDAY FLASHBACK rewinds to some of the memorable Ole Miss games from this week's all-time series. This week features the Rebels' 7-6 win over Mississippi State, then Mississippi A&M, in Starkville in 1926.
Aggies Are Laid Low As Ole Miss Comes Into Own
The Mississippian
December 3, 1926
Mid enthusiastic and heartfelt cheers from the 10,000 voices completely surrounding Scott Field, a grim and bloody battle was fought to a dramatic finish on Thanksgiving -- a battle of battles, a battle from which the Red and Blue colors emerged unfaded to wave again, for the first time in sixteen years, triumphantly over their traditional enemy, the Maroon and White of A. & M.
Songs pealed forth from the collegiate stands on either side of the field; thousands of human voices, pitched to the highest degree of excitement, yelled forth encouragement to their favorites; eager and interested alumni paced the side lines, hopeful and confident that their Alma Mater would conquer. The whole presented a picturesque setting for Mississippi's football classic -- and a classic of classics it was. Never before has the annual contest caused such wide-spread enthusiasm. Ole Miss had produced four "generations" of students all with a great desire was for their Alma Mater to triumph over A. & M.; but to no avail. At last the stage was set for the termination of Aggie superiority on the gridiron.
The game throughout was featured by hard and earnest fight on the part of both team. The participants had their whole hearts and souls in the contest, willing to sacrifice everything for their Alma Mater's glory. Hence, a great and most dramatic game -- perhaps the greatest ever played in the Old Magnolia State.
The Ole Miss men excelled in cool, consistent teamwork and kept the Aggies constantly on the alert to protect their goal. The Red and Blue, though they made one first down less, gained more ground than the Aggies and threatened the Aggie goal repeatedly. A. & M., after making her touchdown in the second period, failed to come closer than the 30 yard line to Ole Miss' goal.
The first quarter opened with A. & M. kicking off. Ole Miss, unable to advance the ball in the stipulated four trys, was forced to punt. A. & M. received the punt, which, due to the wind, was short, and advanced into Ole Miss territory, but was forced to punt when held for downs. The first quarter was a punting duel between Walker, of Ole Miss, and Chadwick, of A. & M. Chadwick, having the wind at his gack (sic), got the odds, and kept the ball in Ole Miss territory; but the Aggies were unable to seriously threaten the goal. A first down was made by each team in the initial per iod (sic).
Lily opened the second quarter with a beautiful 32-yard broken-field run, but on the subsequent play Walker was thrown for a 12 yard loss while attempting to pass. Walker's punt was reciprocated by Chadwick after the Aggies tried and failed to advance the ball. A few plays later, Walker's 80 yard punt featured the afternoon's kicking contest. The punt paved the way for Ole Miss' score.
The Aggies were again unable to advance the ball, and punted feebly to Lily. Then it was that a series of well executed passes from the arm of Walker accounted for a Red and Blue touch-down. Three consecutive passes put the ball on the Aggie five-yard line, from which Lacey Biles carried it across the goal, thus ending his stellar career in a blaze of glory. Webb Burke, not to be outdone, dropped back and kicked the winning point of the game, for which deed his memory will be perpetuated in the hearts of Ole Miss students. A. & M. came back with her characteristic fight, and undaunted by the Red and Blue march; counteracted by marching straight down the field by line bucks, passes, and two Ole Miss penalties to score a touchdown. The try for point failed. In this quarter the Aggies made five first-downs to Ole Miss' three.
The third period was featured by strong defensive work on the part of both teams. The ball swayed from one side of the field to the other, being in Aggie territory most of the time. Walker was master of the punting situation, forcing the Aggies into their own territory with long punts. Each team scored two first downs in the third quarter.
Ole Miss opened up the fourth quarter with a rush toward the Aggie goal, but was stopped deep in Aggie territory after a steady march. A. & M. then opened up a series of passes from their 17-yard line which for a time looked serious but which was finally stopped by Walker when he snatched one from before the waiting arms of an Aggie end. Ole Miss counter series of passes was interrupted by the final pistol shot. Ole Miss made three first downs in the fourth period; A. & M. two.
For A. & M., as for Ole Miss, the honors seemed to be equalled distributed. But Meeks, Clark and Biggers, with emphasis on Biggers, who practically single-handed scored the Aggie touchdown, led the attack and proved most fatal to Ole Miss defense. Brunson and Mitchell, tackles, proved their ability as linemen worthy of mention,. Jones, too, did well, considering his opponent, but was unable to shine brightly over the Ole Miss captain.
Webb Burke, in winding up his football career at Ole Miss, finished in blaze of glory by adding the winning point to the score by overwhelming and outplaying in every department the All-Southern Aggie center. Lacey Briles ended his brilliant career at the University by bucking the line for five yards and the Ole Miss touchdown. Bob Davis, "Sadie" Salloum, "Tub" Prince, and "Stone Face" Windham terminated their careers as wearers of the Red and Blue by putting in a very helpful hand in winning a game which, if any one player had failed to exert even more than ordinary effort, would have been lost. Hubby Walker, who began his performance this year, displayed his usual clever headwork, which with his triple-threat qualification placed him on the All-State eleven. ?Sale Lily played the best game of his gridiron life, shaking off many tacklers and making the longest and most spectacular runs of the game. "Tad" Smith, half, and Applewhite, end, both turned in their usual superb brand of football.
After the final pistol, the Ole Miss boys rushed to the field, warmly congratulated their warrior, and proceeded to tear down the goal. The Aggies swarmed the field, but were late to save the goals. A fistic combat ensued, but the melee was put to a stop by the more sober minded before the Aggie "chair brigade" got into serious action.