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Egg Bowl: ESPN analysts debate controversial late hit call against Mississippi State

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•11/29/24•

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Mississippi State QB Michael Van Buren during the Egg Bowl
© Matt Bush-Imagn Images

In the third quarter of Friday’s Egg Bowl, Mississippi State quarterback Michael Van Buren headed out of bounds and ran into Ole Miss defensive lineman Zxavian Harris. The officials threw a flag on the play, though, and ESPN analysts Louis Riddick and Matt Austin debated the controversial call.

Van Buren took a one-yard run out of bounds when he ran into Harris, who appeared to hit him with his shoulder. The officials threw the flag and called unnecessary roughness, resulting in a 15-yard penalty and an automatic first down.

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Riddick understood why the officials made the call – the Egg Bowl is one of the notable rivalries in college football – but didn’t see anything jump out from the replay. However, he noted Harris didn’t necessarily make an effort to get out of Van Buren’s way.

“I see what they’re intimating he was trying to do. Although, I don’t think that’s something you should call right there,” Riddick said on the ABC broadcast. “He really just put his hands down by his side, put his hands in front of him and tried to firm up in case he ran into him. I don’t think he was trying to maliciously take him out to the point it’s a personal foul.”

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Austin saw Riddick’s point and noted the high stakes in the game. That’s why he also understood why the official called the penalty.

“I kind of agree with Louis,” Austin said. “I don’t think he was trying to take him out, but he definitely was not trying to avoid him, either. In a game like this, I think it needs to be called.”

Ole Miss struck first in Friday’s rivalry matchup with a Caden Davis field goal to take a 3-0 lead, but Mississippi State answered back. Van Buren connected with Kevin Coleman for a 34-yard touchdown to jump out in front, 7-3. The game continued to go back-and-forth from there as the Rebels got a touchdown from defensive tackle JJ Pegues and the Bulldogs responded with a six-yard run from Van Buren.

Ole Miss got out in front once again when Ulysses Bentley IV rattled off an 89-yard run to make it a 17-14 lead. It’s safe to say, the game is living up to the billing.