SEC/TOP 25
AUBURN 31, MISSISSIPPI 16
OXFORD, Miss. -- If there were any questions whether the Auburn Tigers would be able to bounce back from consecutive disappointing losses, head Coach Gus Malzahn figured they were answered in a 31-16 victory over Mississippi on Saturday.
"We went through a storm last week with all the negativity that goes with it," Malzahn said. "It either divides -- and I think a lot of people root for that -- or it brings you together."
Lofty preseason hopes for Auburn (5-3, 2-3 SEC) were dashed after SEC losses to Mississippi State and Tennessee after a 4-1 start. But the Tigers had everything working together against the Rebels in each phase of the game.
"The third quarter stood out to me because we kind of put that game away," Malzahn said. "We had over 200 yards rushing, which was huge. I'm real happy for our players and staff. It's a very good win."
JaTarvious Whitlow rushed for 170 yards on 19 carries as Auburn rolled up 484 yards total offense without a turnover, to break open a 10-6 halftime lead.
The Tigers put together scoring drives of 68, 75 and 62 yards to build a 31-9 cushion that was never seriously threatened. Anthony Schwartz recovered a fumble in the end zone after a 54-yard run by Whitlow while Malik Miller capped drives with scoring runs of 1 and 2 yards.
Whitlow added a touchdown reception of 3 yards from Jarrett Stidham and Anders Carlson converted a 28-yard field goal to build the halftime lead.
Stidham finished 13-of-22 passing for 215 yards. Seth Williams had 4 receptions for 83 yards, while Whitlow added 4 receptions for 38 yards.
Ole Miss (5-3, 1-3) moved the ball, accounting for 447 yards in total offense, but settled for 3 field goals on 3 tries in the red zone. Luke Logan converted field goals of 36, 37 and 35 yards, respectively.
"The story of the day is the red zone," Mississippi Coach Matt Luke said. "When you get down in the red zone against a good defense, and Auburn has a really good defense, you've got to find a way to score touchdowns."
Jordan Ta'amu was 27 of 46 for 324 yards with a 12-yard touchdown pass to A.J. Brown in the final period after Auburn had built an insurmountable lead. Brown finished with 10 receptions for 155 yards.
NO. 1 ALABAMA 58, TENNESSEE 21
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tua Tagovailoa threw touchdown passes to four receivers and No. 1 Alabama started fast again in a victory over Tennessee.
Alabama (8-0, 5-0 SEC) had touchdowns on its first four possessions while outscoring Tennessee 28-0 and outgaining the Volunteers 217-6 in the opening period. Alabama has outscored opponents 165-31, and Tennessee (3-4, 1-3) has been outscored 69-16 in first quarters this season.
Tagovailoa went 19 of 29 for 306 yards before leaving midway through the third quarter with Alabama ahead 51-14. He took a big hit on his final play of the day, a 51-yard touchdown pass to Henry Ruggs III.
Earlier, Tagovailoa connected on touchdown passes to Jerry Jeudy, Jaylen Waddle and Irv Smith Jr. The Heisman Trophy contender has thrown 25 touchdown passes without an interception this season.
MISSOURI 65, MEMPHIS 33
COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Drew Lock threw for 350 yards and four touchdowns on 23-for-29 passing, and Missouri defeated Memphis in its homecoming game.
After losing three consecutive SEC contests, Missouri (4-3) responded with a much-needed victory. It jumped out to a 21-0 lead less than six minutes into the game, and never relinquished it.
Albert Okwuegbunam caught 6 passes for 159 yards and 3 touchdowns and Jalen Knox had 5 catches for 104 yards and a score.
All of Memphis' (4-4) scoring came without star running back Darrell Henderson, who exited the game after four carries in the first quarter. He was later seen riding a stationary bike and left for the locker room in the second quarter.
Sports on 10/21/2018