Hello from Vaught-Hemingway Stadium where tonight’s homecoming matchup between the OleMiss Rebels (3-5 overall) and the University of Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns (2-6).Both teams head into tonight’s game looking to snap losing streaks. Ole Miss has lost three straight contests to No. 8 Alabama, No. 21 Arkansas and No. 3 Auburn, while the Ragin’ Cajuns have lost four consecutive games to Oklahoma State, Troy, Western Kentucky and Ohio.
It’s going to be a chilly game tonight, with a kickoff temperature of 47 degrees.
GAME SUMMARY:
7-0 ULL: The Ragin’ Cajuns opened the game with a 73-yard drive, capped by a 27-yard pass and catch from Brad McGuire to running back Aaron Spikes on a perfectly executed screen pass where the Rebels were caught in an all-out blitz. (12:24. Q1).
7-7: Ole Miss responded with a 60-yard scoring drive on its first possession. Running back Brandon Bolden finished the drive with a 2-yard TD run up the middle. (10:04. Q1).
10-7 Ole Miss: Bryson Rose gives Ole Miss the lead with a 24-yard field goal. The score was set up by freshman cornerback Charles Sawyer‘s interception. (4:50. Q1)
17-7 Ole Miss: Ole Miss extended its lead courtesy of a 6-yard TD run by Jeremiah Masoli. Masoli’s score was set up by a Jeremy McGee interception. (3:19. Q1)
24-7 Ole Miss: Masoli’s shovel pass in a crowd to Bolden puts the Rebels ahead 24-7. The possession was set up by a Lawon Scott fumble recovery. (0:41.5. Q1)
27-7 Ole Miss: Rose converts 30-yard field goal with 8:03 remaining in the second quarter. Ole Miss’ 70-yard drive saw former starting QB Nathan Stanley handle the duty under center. It also featured a healthy dosage of runs from Enrique Davis.
27-14 Ole Miss: McGuire gets the Ragin’ Cajuns back on the scoreboard with a 3-yard run up the middle. (4:51. Q2)
27-21 Ole Miss: Ole Miss running back Rodney Scott fumbles inside ULL’s five yard line and Melvin White returns it the distance for a score. (0:31.4. Q2)
30-21 Ole Miss: Rose kicks a 30-yard field goal as time expires. (0:00. Q2)
33-21 Ole Miss: Rose getting plenty of work tonight, converts a 27-yard field goal. (1:43. Q3)
36-21 Ole Miss: This is getting to be a bit too repetitive…Rose converts 20-yard field goal. (10:56. Q4).
43-21 Ole Miss: Bolden capped Ole Miss’ scoring on the day, scoring on a 3-yard run with 58 seconds remaining in the game.
STAT LEADERS:
PASSING: After Masoli was pulled from the game due to what was called a mild concussion on his 6-yard touchdown run, Nathan Stanley came in and did fine in his first action since the Tulane win by completing 6 of 14 passes for 108 yards. Masoli had completed 5 of 8 passes for 72 yards and one touchdown prior to the injury.
RUSHING: With Masoli sidelined, the Rebels went run-heavy to close out the game. Bolden had a game-high 136 yards and two touchdowns on 18 attempts, while Davis chipped in 116 yards on 19 carries.
RECEIVING: Bolden also led Ole Miss with four receptions for 80 yards and one touchdown. Melvin Harris chipped in three receptions for 41 yards.
DEFENSE: After surrendering 21 points in the first half, the Rebels’ defense went on lock down to shut out the Ragin’ Cajuns the rest of the way. Ole Miss also forced three turnovers. Leading Ole Miss’ defense in tackles was first-time starter Mike Marry, with a game-high 11 total tackles. He also recorded one sack and three tackles-for-loss. Sawyer and McGee each recorded interceptions in the game.
KICKING IT: Rose converted all five of the field goals he attempted from distances of 20, 27, 30, 30 and 24 yards. After the game, Rose said he’d only attempted five one other time — in high school (he converted four of five). (November 6, 2010)
