Ole Miss pulls away from Memphis

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Jevan Snead sure knows how to finish.

The Mississippi quarterback recovered from an awful start to throw two late touchdowns and Dexter McCluster scored twice to lead the No. 8 Rebels to a 45-14 win over Memphis on Sunday. Snead hit 4 of 5 passes for 73 yards and two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, breaking open a close game.

“Another thing you have to love about Jevan is that when things don’t go just right, he doesn’t put his head down,” Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt said. “You don’t have to be concerned about that. He’s a winner, and the guy really came back and played well.”

Those who having been watching Snead will start to notice a trend. Snead got off to a slow start last season before rallying the Rebels to six straight wins. He did just the same in microcosm in the team’s seventh consecutive victory.

Snead completed just 8 of 17 passes for 102 yards with two interceptions through three quarters, missing badly at times.

It looked like Memphis might take the lead late in the second quarter. The Tigers trailed 10-7 and appeared to have an opportunity to take the lead with a solid drive when Fon Ingram stepped in front of Arkelon Hall’s pass and returned it 38 yards for a 17-7 halftime lead.

“It was just being in the right place at the right time,” Ingram said. “He threw it right to me, and when I caught it I knew it was six.”

That gave Ole Miss confidence going into the second half and Snead completed his personal comeback with a couple of rapid-fire touchdowns in the fourth.