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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss Routs Vanderbilt
6/21/1999 | Football
September 19, 1998
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Shane Elam picked off a screen pass and returned it 87 yards for a touchdown as Mississippi beat Vanderbilt 30-6 Saturday, handing the Commodores their 21st straight Southeastern Conference loss.
Vanderbilt (0-3, 0-3 SEC), which hasn't beaten a SEC opponent since 1995, trailed only 14-6 in the third quarter and had the ball at the Rebels 28 after a blocked punt.
Freshman David Wallace moved the Commodores to the Ole Miss 6 when he tried to throw a screen to his left. Elam stepped in front of the ball at the 13 and scored untouched as he put Ole Miss (2-1, 1-1) ahead 21-6.
Vandy didn't threaten again as Ole Miss finished with four interceptions and five sacks. The Commodores had 235 yards of offense to the Rebels' 383.
Romaro Miller had trouble again with a blitzing defense, completing 9-of-19 for 139 yards. Joe Gunn carried most of the offensive load, carrying 21 times for 146 yards. Deuce McAllister had 73 yards and two touchdowns.
Ole Miss took a 7-6 lead into the half, thanks to one of Vandy's two turnovers in the first quarter.
The Commodores stopped the Rebels on fourth-and-3 on the Vandy 30. But one play later, Comone Fisher intercepted Wallace's pass and ran it back to the Vanderbilt 19. McAllister scored five plays later on a 1-yard run to the left side.
Vanderbilt had its best chance to score on its opening possession when it reached the Ole Miss 4. The Commodores settled for 29-yard field goal by John Markham, who also kicked a 43-yarder in the second quarter.
