First SEC home win since 2006 also boosts bowl outlook
OXFORD – On a day Ole Miss celebrated its past by unveiling a statue of former coach John Vaught, new coach Houston Nutt guided the Rebels to a rare win over Auburn that may bring a brighter bowl future into view.
The Rebels rushed for 233 yards, and quarterback Jevan Snead passed 3 yards to seldom-used Derrick Davis for a 10-point cushion with 6 minutes, 45 seconds to play, as scouts from seven bowl games watched a 17-7 victory before a season-largest crowd of 57,324.
“I just try to stay humble and keep the faith, and the coaches put me in the right position to make a play,” said Davis, a junior running back who has been passed on the depth chart by incoming talent and his Meridian High School teammate Cordera Eason.
The Rebels (5-4, 3-3 SEC) won back-to-back games for the first time since 2004 and moved past Auburn (4-5, 2-4 SEC) into third place in the Western Division.
One more win will make Ole Miss eligible for a bowl game for the first time since 2003.
djournal.com
11/2/08
