JACKSON — An old rivalry is being renewed.

Southern Miss and Mississippi State will play a home-and-home football series in 2014 and 2015, officials from both schools said on Thursday at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum.

The first game in the series will be MSU’s home opener in 2014, while the Bulldogs will return the favor with a visit to Hattiesburg in 2015 for the season opener.

The last time the two schools played was in 1990.

MSU president Dr. Mark Keenum described the renewal of the rivalry as the “worst-kept secret in the state.”

“It’s a special announcement for football in this state,” MSU athletic director Greg Byrne said. “We want to embrace the state in all things we do. You’re going to see us play more regional-based games.”

USM will get $200,000 to play in Starkville, while MSU will be paid the same amount to play in Hattiesburg.

“The fans are the real beneficiary of this game,” Southern Miss athletic director Richard Giannini said. “Rivalries make this sport and this world. By rivals playing each other, we’ll protecting this game of football.

“I know your student-athletes, when they play a big game like this, they work a little harder over the summer,” Giannini said. “It’s going to be a win-win for everybody.”

The game is in keeping with both school’s desire to schedule regionally.

“Scheduling regionally helps from a recruiting standpoint where you’re going to be recruiting,” Byrne said. “Secondly, from a cost perspective, it’s getting very expensive to do long-distance trips.”

As for the series continuing past the two-game series, both parties were mum.

“I would hope the door is always open,” Giannini said.

Southern Miss coach Larry Fedora said he was excited for his program to be able to play another in-state opponent.

“It is always exciting when you get an opportunity to play a football game against an in-state opponent,” Fedora said. “This is what college football is all about. Rivalries are what bring out the passion for the game. This will be a tremendous event for the entire state of Mississippi.”

Southern Miss leads the series 14-12-1 and the victory total includes two forfeits from the Bulldogs during the 1975 and 1976 seasons.

Read more in Friday’s Vicksburg Post

The series

1935: MSU 27-0

1947: MSU 14-7

1964: MSU 48-7

1965: MSU 27-9

1966: MSU 10-9

1967: USM 21-14

1968: USM 47-14

1969: MSU 34-20

1970: MSU 51-15

1971: Did not play

1972: MSU 26-7

1973: Tie 10-10

1974: Did not play

1975: *MSU 7-3

1976: *MSU 14-6

1977: USM 14-7

1978: USM 22-17

1979: USM 21-7

1980: USM 42-14

1981: USM 7-6

1982: USM 20-14

1983: USM 31-6

1984: MSU 27-18

1985: MSU 23-20

1986: USM 28-24

1987: USM 18-14

1988: USM 38-21

1989: MSU 26-23

1990: MSU 13-10

*MSU foreits

Total: USM leads 14-12-1