SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 27, 2014
No. 11 Mississippi 24, Memphis 3: Laquon Treadwell had 123 yards receiving and two scores for the unbeaten Rebels as they soared past the visiting Tigers.
Bo Wallace passed for 250 yards but struggled with turnovers, throwing two interceptions and losing a fumble in the sloppy win and Jaylen Walton added a rushing touchdown for Mississippi (4-0). The Rebels achieved their first 4-0 start since 1970 and will now look to their highly anticipated matchup with top-ranked Alabama.
Justin Elliot had the only points for Memphis (2-2) with a 40-yard field goal and Bobby McCain intercepted Wallace twice. The Tigers, who were averaging 44.7 points, were 3-of-16 on third-down conversions and finished with 103 yards of offense.
Two red-zone interceptions and a missed field goal prevented what could have been a larger Rebels lead at intermission. Wallace connected with Treadwell for a 63-yard score on just his third pass attempt, but his first interception led to a field goal for Memphis as the Tigers went into the break down 7-3.
Mississippi's sloppy play continued into the second half as Andrew Fletcher missed a second field goal attempt and Wallace lost a fumble at his own 39-yard line. Despite four turnovers, the Rebels got it together in the final stanza, adding a 19-yard field goal by Fletcher and a 23-yard touchdown run from Walton to pull away and Treadwell scored the dagger on a leaping touchdown grab with 1:18 remaining.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Mississippi K Gary Wunderlich was ejected for fighting during the kickoff that followed Treadwell's touchdown reception in the first quarter. ...The Rebels and Tigers combined for 19 penalties, totaling 230 yards. ... Mississippi has won the last six meetings with Memphis.