LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Here at War Memorial Stadium for today’s Southeastern Conference game between the Ole Miss Rebels and Arkansas Razorbacks. Ole Miss enters the game with a 4-3 overall mark and 1-2 mark in SEC play. Arkansas is 3-4 and 2-2 and looking to win a third straight SEC contest after defeating Auburn and Kentucky prior to an open week. Ole Miss was also idle last week.
The Rebels haven’t played Arkansas in Little Rock, a game that resulted in a 17-3 win. Ole Miss is actually 7-6-1 in Little Rock, including wins in 1990 and 1992 most recently. Overall, Arkansas leads the series 31-26-1 according to Ole Miss records.
Today’s game can be seen on the SEC Network. Dave Neal will handle the play-by-play. Andre Ware will be the color analyst, while Cara Capuano is the sideline reporter. The Ole Miss Radio Network, with David Kellum, Harry Harrison and Stan Sandroni, can be heard locally on 93.7 FM.
Arkansas coach John L. Smith suspended WR Brandon Mitchell before the game for violation of team rules. He had made 15 catches for 257 yards coming into the contest.
FIRST QUARTER
Arkansas took the opening kick and drove the ball to the Ole Miss 4-yard line before settling for a 22-yard field goal from Zack Hocker. Arkansas’ scoring drive lasted 11 plays and covered 71 yards and ate up 3:43 off the clock. A key plays was a 22-yard completion from Tyler Wilson to Codi Hamilton on fourth down at the Ole Miss 13. Arkansas 3, Ole Miss 0.
The Razorbacks took a 10-0 lead on the Rebels with a 42-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to tight end Chris Gragg at the 5:33 mark. The pass play capped a nine-play, 85-yard drive that took 3:35 off the clock. Arkansas 10, Ole Miss 0.
Ole Miss ended the first quarter at the Arkansas 11. Wallace had two completions for first downs as well as an 11-yard run that garnered a first down.
SECOND QUARTER
The Rebels capped their 58-yard scoring drive with a 4-yard toss from Wallace to Vincent Sanders. The touchdown, and subsequent extra point from Bryson Rose, cut the Arkansas lead to 10-7 with 13:47 left in the half.
Ole Miss takes its first lead of the game following a wild chain of events that involved Charles Sawyer intercepting Wilson, Wallace throwing an interception and then Sawyer blocking a punt. The block was recovered by Sawyer at the Arkansas 22 and four plays later, the Rebels were back in the end zone on a 1-yard run by Barry Brunetti. Ole Miss 14, Arkansas 10. 7:44 mark.
Arkansas regained the lead on the Rebels, briefly, on a 6-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Alex Voelzke. The TD toss capped a 13-play, 95-yard scoring drive for the Razorbacks. Wilson’s biggest completion on the drive covered 28 yards to Hamilton on fourth-and-3 at the Ole Miss 41. Arknasas 17, Ole Miss 14.
The Rebels took the ensuing kickoff from Arkansas drove 75 yards on 10 plays in just 1:01 to take a 21-17 lead into halftime. Jeff Scott capped the drive with a 1-yard run on a sweep around right tackle. Wallace completed two passes to Randall Mackey that garnered two first downs. Scott also had a key 16-yard gain that got the Rebels inside the red zone to the Arkansas 11. Ole Miss 21, Arkansas 17, Halftime.
THIRD QUARTER
Ole Miss scored the only points of the contest on a 27-yard field goal from Bryson Rose, the first of three critical makes for the senior in the second half. Ole Miss 24, Arkansas 17.
FOURTH QUARTER
Rose kicked two lengthy field goals in the final quarter, including the game winner, a 31-yard attempt, as time expired to give the Rebels a 30-27 win over the Razorbacks. Rose’s final make of the day capped an eight-play, 61-yard drive that took the final 2:09 off the clock.
Ole Miss’ scoring drive followed a 5-yard touchdown run by Dennis Johnson. The Razorbacks’ final scoring drive lasted four plays and covered 55 yards.
Final Notes
The Rebels’ victory over Arkansas was their third straight in Little Rock and first over the Razorbacks since 2009. It was also their first road win in the SEC since defeating Vanderbilt 23-7 on Oct. 3, 2009. Ole Miss is now 5-3 overall and 2-2 in the SEC. Arkansas falls to 3-5 and 2-3 with the setback.
Below is a video of Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze and his thoughts on his team’s victory:
(October 27, 2012)
