The No. 15 Ole Miss Rebels pulled off a 43-37 upset ofĀ the No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide on the road at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday.
The Ole Miss Rebels jumped ahead early and held off their opponent late, pulling outĀ a 43-37 road victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Alabama scored 14 unanswered points and fought back to close the gap to six early in the fourth quarter, but Ole Miss quarterback Chad KellyĀ connected with Cody Core for a 73-yard touchdown completion off a read option fake on the following drive. Alabama quarterback Jake Coker was intercepted by linebackerĀ C.J. JohnsonĀ on the ensuing possession, on a play that appeared to putĀ the game out of reach.
Fans began to file out of the stadium after Ole Miss extended the lead to 19, but the Crimson Tide were not done yet. They rattled off 14 unanswered points, and once again hadĀ the momentum in their favor. Alabama took control of the ball with just over three minutes remaining, butĀ the Rebels intercepted Coker yet again to seal the victory.
Kelly was far from perfect, but he came up with big plays when it mattered most. He finished the game with an impressive 341 passing yards yards, fourĀ total touchdowns and zeroĀ interceptions. The Ole MissĀ defense made several key sacks down the stretch, and the team as a whole forced a total of five turnovers.
The game featured several strange plays that went in the Rebelsā favor, including a pair of unconventionalĀ touchdown passes from Kelly and two fumble recoveries on kickoffs, all of which played a major role in their ability toĀ take control of the game. With Saturdayās victory, it can be assured that Ole Miss will ascend to the top of the polls.
Three Stars
1. Chad Kelly, Ole Miss QB (341 passing yards, 4 total touchdowns, 0Ā interceptions)
2. Cody Core, Ole Miss WR (4 receptions, 123 receiving yards, 1Ā touchdown)
3.Ā Derrick, AlabamaĀ RB (127 rushing yards, 1Ā touchdown, 5.5 yards per carry)
Highlights
Watch: Alabama fumbles opening kickoff, paves way for Ole Miss field goal (via @FanSided) http://t.co/dkfrczhiho https://t.co/n3EQGFQtgP
ā Sports Illustrated (@SInow) September 20, 2015
Stopped short! @OleMissFB holds @AlabamaFTBL to a field goal. Tied, 3-3. #SidelineVine https://t.co/u9nr1A1JxE
ā College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) September 20, 2015
TD Ole Miss! https://t.co/cEMpQjM1Ci
ā The Comeback NCAA (@TheComebackNCAA) September 20, 2015
2 fumbles on a kick off for Alabama?
ā NCAA Football (@NCAAFootball) September 20, 2015
Yup, that happened!#MISSvsBAMA pic.twitter.com/ruubxUdChN
Chad Kelly...TD Ole Miss! https://t.co/57Pfx5Vl6S
ā The Comeback NCAA (@TheComebackNCAA) September 20, 2015
Ole Miss just pulled an Auburn #miracle https://t.co/DkXrdXyVnd
ā The Comeback NCAA (@TheComebackNCAA) September 20, 2015
Coker on the keeper and @AlabamaFTBL cuts the lead to 30-17. #SidelineVine https://t.co/7AAuTHw2gE
ā College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) September 20, 2015
Huge sack by the Bama defense to end the 3Q: #MISSvsBAMA https://t.co/WUMvgJSBWq
ā RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 20, 2015
Alabama allowed 2 60-yard TD all of last season.
ā ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 20, 2015
Tide have allowed 2 60-yard TD tonight, including this one http://t.co/4NWwoCjHfF
Treadwell goes up and gets it, TD Rebels! Ole Miss rolling in Tuscaloosa #MISSvsBAMA https://t.co/XccO47d3YD
ā RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 20, 2015
This was not ruled batting the ball forward, which is impermissible. #MISSvsBAMA https://t.co/GY6zWSe9O2
ā RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 20, 2015
#Bama QB Jacob Coker hit as he throws, and that could spell death to Alabama's hopes of an undefeated season! https://t.co/JMCNziNbTA
ā RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 20, 2015
Odds
Alabama was favored by nine points entering Saturday. It became clear early in the game that they would not cover the spread.
Next Week
Ole Miss returns home next week for a showdown with the Vanderbilt Commodores (1-2), a team that is still searching for itsĀ first victory over an FBS opponent in 2015.
AlabamaĀ hosts the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks (1-1) next Saturday, a perfect opportunity for the Crimson Tide to bounce back.
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