The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
4-2
Arkansas State (HC)
3-4
Rebels Get Homecoming Shutout Over Arkansas State, 55-0
10/11/2003 | Football
Oct. 11, 2003
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OXFORD, Miss. (AP) - Eli Manning was 23-for-36 for 306 yards and three touchdowns as Mississippi routed Arkansas State 55-0 on Saturday.
Manning, who played just three quarters, moved ahead of Florida's Rex Grossman for eighth place on the Southeastern Conference's career completion list with 692. He also moved up to No. 7 in career total offense with 8,309 yards.
Ole Miss (4-2) recorded its first shutout since it defeated Memphis 3-0 in 1999.
The Rebels, who entered the game ranked last in pass defense, gave up only 235 total yards and allowed Arkansas State to cross midfield only four times.
The Rebels, ranked fifth in the nation in total offense, gained 582 against the Indians (3-3).
Ole Miss has not lost to the Indians in the past 20 meetings, dating to 1915.
The Rebels led 14-0 in the first quarter before Arkansas State managed a first down.
Manning started 8-of-8 for 84 yards, opening with a 40-yard strike to Chris Collins on the first series that set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Vashon Pearson.
Tremaine Turner capped the second possession, a 60-yard drive, with a 33-yard touchdown run.
An interception by linebacker Justin Wade set up the first of two field goals by Jonathan Nichols to bring the score to 20-0 at the half.
Tremaine Turner runs for a touchdown as Arkansas State's Chris Littleton chases during the second half.  | |
Arkansas State seriously threatened only once, coming midway through the second period. Quarterback Elliot Jacobs completed consecutive passes of 17, 28 and 23 yards to carry the Indians to the Ole Miss 4.
But Eric Neihouse bounced a 21-yard field-goal attempt off the left upright to end the threat.
Ole Miss opened the second half with scoring drives of 79, 83 and 65 yards, capped by Manning's three touchdown passes.
Reserve quarterback Michael Spurlock led the Rebels to a pair of touchdown drives in the final period.
Team Stats
ASU 0, UM 7
UM - Vashon Pearson 1 yd run (J. Nichols kick), 3 plays, 41 yards, TOP 1:04
ASU 0, UM 14
UM - Tremaine Turner 33 yd run (J. Nichols kick), 7 plays, 60 yards, TOP 3:00
ASU 0, UM 17
UM - J. Nichols 30 yd field goal 10 plays, 25 yards, TOP 3:48
ASU 0, UM 20
UM - J. Nichols 31 yd field goal 10 plays, 49 yards, TOP 2:18
ASU 0, UM 27
UM - Chris Collins 24 yd pass from Eli Manning (J. Nichols kick) 8 plays, 79 yards, TOP 2:45
ASU 0, UM 34
UM - Eric Rice 19 yd pass from Eli Manning (J. Nichols kick) 10 plays, 83 yards, TOP 3:35
ASU 0, UM 41
UM - Kerry Johnson 12 yd pass from Eli Manning (J. Nichols kick) 10 plays, 65 yards, TOP 3:52
ASU 0, UM 48
UM - Mario Hill 22 yd pass from M. Spurlock (J. Nichols kick) 5 plays, 60 yards, TOP 1:19
ASU 0, UM 55
UM - M. Spurlock 1 yd run (J. Nichols kick), 7 plays, 45 yards, TOP 2:40