Things got off to a rough start for Ole Miss in Little Rock with Arkansas scoring on their first drive on a 22-yard field goal by Zach Hocker. The Rebels' first drive stalled and they were forced to punt. Then the Razorbacks struck again when quarterback Tyler Wilson found tight end Chris Gragg from 42 yards out. The Razorbacks went 85 yards in nine plays and took 3:35 off the clock.
The bad start continued for the for the Rebels when sophomore quarterback Bo Wallace fumbled a handoff exchange with senior running back Randall Mackey. However, the Razorbacks were unable to capitalize on the opportunity, but led heading into the second quarter 10-0.
The Rebels started the second quarter deep in Arkansas territory and ended up finishing an eight-play, 58-yard drive on a Wallace to sophomore Vince Sanders touchdown pass from four yards out. The score cut the lead to 10-7.
Ole Miss picked up their play on defense in the form of senior cornerback Charles Sawyer. Sawyer intercepted Wilson when Arkansas was driving into Ole Miss territory. The Rebels got the ball back but quickly surrendered it back to the Razorbacks when Wallace was intercepted by Ross Rasner.
The Rebels finally caught their break on the next drive when Sawyer blocker Arkansas punter Dylan Breeding’s punt
and scooped it up and returned it to the Arkansas 22-yard line.
Ole Miss would strike from their and score on a one-yard touchdown run by junior quarterback Barry Brunetti. The score put the Rebels ahead for the first time on the day.
Arkansas answered quickly on the next drive which went 95 yards in 13 plays and chewed up over six minutes of clock. The drive was capped by a six yard touchdown pass by Wilson to Alex Voelzke.
The Rebels got the ball back with 1:21 left in the first half and put together a solid drive, which cumulated in a one-yard touchdown run by junior running back Jeff Scott. The score put the Rebels ahead 21-17 heading into halftime.
It took nearly the whole quarter for someone to score, but Ole Miss broke through at the four-minute mark when senior kicker Bryson Rose converted on a 27-yard field goal to extend the Rebel lead to seven.
Arkansas cut the Rebel lead to four early in the final quarter of play on a 41-yard field goal by Hocker. However, the Rebels answered on their next drive when Rose converted from 53 yards out.
Things got interesting late in the fourth quarter when Arkansas running back Dennis Johnson tied the game on a five-yard touchdown run with just over two minutes left to play in the game.
The Rebels took over with 2:09 left and drove down the field to win the game 30-27 on a 31-yard field goal by Rose.
On the day the Rebels were led by Wallace who was 29-of-37 for 278 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore receiver Donte Moncrief and senior running back Randall Mackey had big days in the receiving category with eight and seven catches for 60 and 99 yards, respectively.
Defensively, Ole Miss was led by freshman Denzel Nkemdiche who recorded eight tackles and an interception. Sawyer also recorded seven tackles, a sack, an interception and a blocked punt.
The Rebels move to 5-3 on the year and 2-2 in conference play and are now one win away from bowl eligibility. Arkansas falls to 3-5 and 2-3 in conference play.
Rapid Rewind: Arkansas
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