Manning Goes Out a Big Winner, 31-28

Eli Manning stayed another year at Mississippi in hopes of a season like this: 10 victories, including one in January.

Manning threw for 259 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score in his final game for Ole Miss, leading the No. 16 Rebels to a 31-28 victory over No. 21 Oklahoma State (9-4) in the Cotton Bowl on Friday.

“Everything about this year has been great. It’s been a great run

Not ready for the college experience to end, Manning decided against early entry into the NFL draft last spring. Already considered a top prospect, he only increased his stock with a standout senior season.

Manning, who threw for 3,600 yards and 29 touchdowns, led the Rebels (10-3) to their first 10-win season since 1971. He also led Ole Miss’ first January victory since the 1970 Sugar Bowl when his father, Archie, threw a touchdown pass and ran for another score in a 27-22 victory over Arkansas.

“This raises the bar for us,” Coach David Cutcliffe said.

Ole Miss’ only other January games since that Sugar Bowl had been in the Gator Bowl. The Rebels lost to Auburn in Archie Manning’s final game in 1971 and to Michigan in 1991.

“When I came to Ole Miss, everyone expected me to bring the program back to its glory days,” Eli Manning said. “I didn’t want to put that kind of pressure on myself.”

Still, he finished with a school-record 10,119 yards, becoming only the fifth Southeastern Conference passer with 10,000 yards.

Manning’s one-yard keeper with 12:32 left capped a 13-play, 97-yard drive and ended a streak of 24 consecutive points by Ole Miss, which provided just enough to overcome the Cowboys.

“I just sat there watching him, thinking Eli Manning is a bad boy,” said Oklahoma State receiver Rashaun Woods, who set Cotton Bowl records with 11 catches for 223 yards.

And Woods meant that as a compliment.