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The University of Mississippi Athletics
FRIDAY FLASHBACK: Ole Miss - Vanderbilt 1940
9/16/2011 | Football
Sept. 16, 2011
FRIDAY FLASHBACK rewinds to some of the memorable Ole Miss games from this week's all-time series. This week features the Rebels' 13-7 comeback win over Vanderbilt in 1940.
By Escar Thompson
Associated Press Sports Writer
Battled off its feet for three periods, a resourceful University of Mississippi football team came souring in the final quarter to stab over two lightning-like touchdowns and defeat Vanderbilt Saturday, 13 to 7, before a homecoming crowd of 13,000.
The brace of scouring thrusts came within two minutes of each other midway of the fourth period and turned seeming defeat into a hard-earned victory for the Rebels, enabling them to maintain their unbeaten record in the Southeastern Conference Competition.
Rebels Take To Air
The Mississippi marched into scoring territory three times before Vanderbilt yielded, and then they were forced to take the air for the score. The Commodores halted Rebel marches at their 31, 11 and 9-yard lines before Junie Hovious gathered in a punt and raced 32 yards to Vandy's 21-yard stripe to get up the first tally.
Merle Hapes, the other half of the Mississippi's vaunted Hovious Hapes backfield combination, and Billy Sam Smashed through to the 14. Then Hovious passed to wingman Bill Eubanks, who lateraled to Center Dan Wood for the touchdown. Hovious' placekick for two points was good.
The crowd was barley in its seats before Hovious- the small Rebel was a constant threat-intercepted one of Mickey Flanigan's passes on the Commodores' 42-yard line and dashed down the sideline to score. His try for the point missed the uprights.
Vandy Scores Early
Vanderbilt, seeking its first league triumph, scored early in the second period, Center Bob Guda smashing through to block a punt on Mississippi's 12-yard line. Fullback Roy Huggins, who ploughed the hefty Rebel line for repeated gains, drove over for the touchdown in four plunges. Jack Penkins converted from placement.
The Commodores held the Mississippians to alone first down and a net gain of one yard in the first half, outrushed them 127 to 110 yards and collected 12 first downs to the Rebels' nine. Each team tried 16 passes, the Commodores connecting with five and the Rebels with four.