Mississippi State and Southern Miss have met on the football field thirty-one times. The Bulldogs hold a 16-14-1 record all-time against the Golden Eagles. Two of those USM “wins” were actually games they lost on the field to State. Two Eagle losses were reversed to victories after the Bulldogs were forced to forfeit some games due to the Larry Gillard sanctions.

That is not to take anything away from Southern Miss. From 1977-to-1983, the Golden Eagles won seven straight in the series. With a win this season, Mississippi State can match that streak of on the field success against their neighbors three hours to the south.

The two were regular opponents throughout the 70s and 80s. Once the Southeastern Conference expanded in 1991, the annual tilt against the Golden Eagles was a scheduling casualty. State has faced Southern Miss on the field six  times since the annual series was terminated, winning the full half dozen. The Bulldogs last lost to the Golden Eagles in 1988.

Yes, that was the infamous “Tech and Ten” year for State. In the first start of quarterback Eric Underwood’s career, State rode the strong running of Hank Phillips to a hard fought victory on a rainy day. It was the only time the Bulldogs walked off winners that season.

The loss to Southern Miss came in week six. The Golden Eagles had a kid named Favre under center. Perhaps, you have heard of him. Southern took control early and never let State climb back into it in the second half. The game went final with State on the downside of a 38-21 decision. The game also marked the last time the two schools faced off in Jackson at Veterans Memorial Stadium. 

Outside of State’s football futility, 1988 proved to be a tremendous year in many respects. Some historic things happened and some of the greatest moments in American cinema and music took place.

National: George H.W. Bush, the former vice-president of Ronald Reagan, won the Presidential Election over Michael Dukakis. The United States and Canada signed a free trade agreement, which eventually led to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The United State Olympic teams competed in the summer games of Seoul and the winter games of Calgary. Florence Griffith-Joyner won gold in the 100 meters making her an American hero. She was later immortalized in the Sir-Mix-A-Lot track “Baby Got Back” when Mix declared that he’ll “keep his women like Flo-Jo”. 

Sports: The Dodgers upset the A’s in the World Series. The most memorable moment of the series came when a hobbled Kirk Gibson hit a pinch hit two-out 9th inning home run off of Dennis Eckersley to take game one. Doug Williams led Washington to a Super Bowl win over John Elway and Denver. Showtime still ruled the NBA roost as Magic Johnson and the Lakers knocked off the “Bad Boys” of Detroit to take their second straight title. Miami defeated Oklahoma to claim the college football national championship.

TV: Magnum P.I. said goodbye along with Cagney & Lacey, St. Elsewhere and the Facts of Life. The Cosby Show was #1 followed by Roseanne, A Different World (A Cosby spinoff), Cheers, The Golden Girls, Who’s the Boss? and Murder, She Wrote. True Crime shows America’s Most Wanted and 48 hours were introduced. Murphy Brown began a ten-year run.

Movies: Rain Man was the top grossing cinema feature. A new innovation in animation was introduced with Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall starred in Coming to America. Rounding out the top ten were Cocktail with Tom Cruise and Elisabeth Shue, Tom Hank’s in Big and the Christmas classic, Die Hard.

Music: George Michael ushered a new generation into leather jackets and fingerless gloves with his hit video, “Faith”. Bobby McFerrin told us “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”. Bon Jovi, Poison and an outfit called Guns N’ Roses all had #1 singles. Looking to capitalize on the soaring success of Appetite for Destruction, Geffen Records rushed the band back into the studio to record the EP Gn’R Lies. It took about ninety days for the work to go platinum. To date, it has sold over 10,000,000 copies worldwide. Also of note, 1988 was the first year that CD sales topped those of vinyl.

Closer to home: Hattiesburg’s Kristen Logan became just the second Mississippian crowed as America’s Junior Miss. Emotions ran high as the movie Mississippi Burning hit the big screen. While some home state theaters elected not to show the film, it was eventually nominated for an Academy Award. Meridian native and Paramore singer, Hayley Williams was born. Mississippi State alumnus John Stennis announced his retirement from the United State’s Senate. Throughout his political career, Stennis never lost an election.