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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
2-1 , 0-1
Alabama
3-0 , 1-0
Football Falls to Top-Ranked Alabama
9/15/2018 | Football
Rebels Strike First but Suffer 62-7 Defeat to Crimson Tide
Senior quarterback Jordan Ta'amu found D.K. Metcalf (2 rec., 92 yards) for a touchdown to put the Rebels up 7-0 just 11 seconds into the game. Metcalf caught the ball in stride, tiptoed the sideline and electrified the crowd. Alabama (3-0, 1-0 SEC) answered with a 43-yard run by Damien Harris. The Rebels turned the ball over twice in the first quarter to allow Alabama to claim a 28-7 lead after one.
The Rebel defense came through with a key stop early in the second, forcing a 38-yard Alabama field goal try. Crimson Tide kicker Joseph Bulovas (3-of-4 FG) missed it wide left to send the ball back to the Rebel offense. Ole Miss drove past midfield but couldn't convert a fourth down in Tide territory.
Alabama took over on downs, and Josh Jacobs punched in a rushing touchdown on the other end to make it 35-7. After a Rebel punt on the ensuing drive, Alabama's Jaylen Waddle mounted a 37-yard return to set up a touchdown connection between Jalen Hurts (7-of-10, 85 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT) and Jeudy, making it a 42-7 advantage.
The Ole Miss defense held Alabama to just a field goal after a 74-yard kickoff return by Josh Jacobs to open the second half. On the following drive, C.J. Moore picked off a Hurts pass. However, Ta'amu was intercepted shortly thereafter by Xavier McKinney, who returned it 30 yards for an Alabama touchdown.
The Tide tacked on a field goal early in the fourth quarter. However, the Ole Miss offense just couldn't find its footing against the tough Alabama defense.
The game featured 62,919 fans, making it the eighth largest crowd in Vaught-Hemingway history.
The Rebels will return to action next Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium against Kent State. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT.
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Team Stats
UA 0, OM 7
OM - D.K. Metcalf 75 yd pass from Jordan Ta'amu (Luke Logan kick) 1 plays, 75 yards, TOP 0:11
UA 7, OM 7
UA - Damien Harris 43 yd run (Joseph Bulovas kick), 3 plays, 72 yards, TOP 0:59
UA 14, OM 7
UA - Jerry Jeudy 79 yd pass from Tua Tagovailoa (Joseph Bulovas kick) 3 plays, 80 yards, TOP 0:59
UA 21, OM 7
UA - Najee Harris 10 yd run (Joseph Bulovas kick), 6 plays, 62 yards, TOP 2:25
UA 28, OM 7
UA - Irv Smith Jr. 12 yd pass from Tua Tagovailoa (Joseph Bulovas kick) 3 plays, 15 yards, TOP 0:50
UA 35, OM 7
UA - Josh Jacobs 4 yd run (Joseph Bulovas kick), 4 plays, 52 yards, TOP 1:44
UA 42, OM 7
UA - Jerry Jeudy 22 yd pass from Jalen Hurts (Joseph Bulovas kick) 3 plays, 30 yards, TOP 0:54
UA 49, OM 7
UA - Henry Ruggs III 13 yd pass from Jalen Hurts (Joseph Bulovas kick) 7 plays, 50 yards, TOP 1:52
UA 52, OM 7
UA - Joseph Bulovas 20 yd field goal 7 plays, 21 yards, TOP 3:01
UA 59, OM 7
UA - Xavier McKinney 30 yd interception (Joseph Bulovas kick)
UA 62, OM 7
UA - Joseph Bulovas 44 yd field goal 13 plays, 46 yards, TOP 6:16
