1998 Independence Bowl


The 1998 Independence Bowl was a college football postseason bowl game between the Ole Miss Rebels and the Texas Tech [Red Raiders football|Texas Tech Red Raiders].

Background

The Rebels had plummeted to fourth in the SEC West after losing their last three games, including one to 1998 [Mississippi State Bulldogs football team|Mississippi State] in the Egg Bowl. Tuberville left the team prior to the bowl game for 1999 [Auburn Tigers football team|Auburn], leaving the coaching duties to David Cutcliffe, hired on December 2. Meanwhile, the Red Raiders were third in the Big 12 South Division after losing four of their last five games. This was the first Independence Bowl for both teams since 1986, which Mississippi won, 20-17. This was the first Independence Bowl featuring a Big 12 team, and the first to be sponsored by Sanford, a leading manufacturer and marketer of writing instruments.

Game summary

First quarter

  • Texas Tech: Dorris 22 pass from Peters – 7–0 Texas Tech
  • Ole Miss: Lucas 33 pass from Miller – 7–7 tie

Second quarter

  • Ole Miss: McAllister 32 pass from Miller – 14–7 Ole Miss
  • Texas Tech: Birkholz 49 field goal – 14–10 Ole Miss

Fourth quarter

  • Ole Miss: Peterson 26 pass from Miller – 21–10 Ole Miss
  • Ole Miss: McAllister 4 run – 28–10 Ole Miss
  • Ole Miss: McAllister 43 kickoff return – 35–10 Ole Miss
  • Texas Tech: McCullar fumble recovery for a touchdown – 35–18 Ole Miss

Aftermath

The Rebels returned to the Independence Bowl the following year. The Red Raiders wouldn't return to the Independence Bowl until 2023.
In an adjacent development, Tuberville would end up coaching Texas Tech from 2010−12.