LaDarius Perkins scored two touchdowns and host Mississippi State maintained state supremacy and became bowl-eligible Saturday with a 31-3 thrashing of in-state rival Mississippi in the Battle for the Golden Egg.

Quarterback Chris Relf, making only his second start in the past six games, passed for two early touchdowns as the Bulldogs (6-6, 2-6 SEC West) turned Houston Nutt’s final game as Ole Miss’ head coach into a rout.

Vick Ballard rushed for 144 yards, surpassing the 1,000-yard mark on the season (1,009). Ballard caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from Relf on the game’s opening possession and rushed for a 25-yard touchdown early in the third quarter as the Bulldogs built a 28-0 lead.

Relf rushed for 49 yards and completed 8-of-13 passes for 70 yards, throwing a 20-yard touchdown pass to Perkins midway through the second quarter. Perkins also scored on a 36-yard run late in the first quarter.

Mississippi State extended its winning streak in the series to three games, the longest Bulldogs’ win streak against the Rebels (2-10, 0-8) since capturing four in a row from 1939-42.

Ole Miss lost its seventh game in a row and its 14th consecutive SEC game, and suffered its first 10-loss season in school history.