| Summary: | "Coach Shug Jordan's finest football machine took the test of a true champion by having to come from behind to defeat a determined Mississippi State team by a score of 15 to 7 before 43,000 in Birmingham's Legion Field. State gained a half-time lead of 7-0 on a beautifully executed 57 yard scoring pass from reserve quarterback, Tom Miller to end Ned Brooks with three minutes left in the first half. The first half was a hard-fought, defensive battle which found both teams using every opportunity to kick to safety. Auburn was an aroused team on its return after halftime, and drove 76 yards in 13 plays for the tying touchdown, with senior fullback Billy Atkins scoring from the two. Atkins also booted an extra point. The plainsmen picked up a safety in the fourth quarter when Jackie Burkett crashed through the State line and forced Bill Schoenrock, who was back to punt behind his own goal line, to run, and "Big John" Whatley nailed him. The Tigers' last touchdown came when guard, Zeke Smith, recovered a Maroon fumble on the State 10-yard line. Three plays later Billy Atkins shot through the State line for the score. Billy Stacy, Mississippi State's great quarterback, did not complete a pass and was held to minus yardage by the Number One defense in the Nation." (Description from the 1958 Glomerata)
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