SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 8, 2012
Ole Miss 28, UTEP 10: Junior college transfer quarterback Bo Wallace threw for three touchdowns and ran for another, carrying Ole Miss past UTEP at Oxford, Miss.
It was the second straight big game for the 6-foot-5 Wallace, who debuted for the Rebels last week with 264 passing yards, 82 rushing yards and three total touchdowns in a 49-27 win over FCS foe Central Arkansas. But unlike last week, no second-half rally was needed against the Miners as UTEP opened the Hugh Freeze era with back-to-back wins.
The Rebels took an early lead when Wallace connected with Donte Moncrief for a 55-yard score and stretched the lead to 14-0 on a 51-yard Wallace-to-Jaylen Walton connection with 10:03 left in the second quarter.
Wallace finished 15-of-22 passing for 174 yards and no interceptions while running for 53 yards on 11 carries. Ole Miss running back Jeff Scott, who missed last week’s game with a back injury, led all rushers with 113 yards on 13 carries.
The Ole Miss defense was also improved, bending often but ultimately keeping UTEP out of the end zone in the first half. The Rebels led 21-0 at the break after Miners kicker Dakota Warren missed a 44-yard field goal as the second quarter expired.
UTEP scored the first 10 points of the third quarter, but never got closer than an 11-point deficit.
Nick Lamaison led the Miners, completing 21 of 33 passes for 213 yards and a touchdown.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Ole Miss is off to its first 2-0 start since 2009. … This was the second meeting between the schools. UTEP won the first contest, 14-7 in the 1967 Sun Bowl. … Ole Miss will host No. 15 Texas next week.