Rebels hang on to beat Razorbacks

No. 17 Ole Miss stops 2-point attempt on game’s final play

OXFORD, Miss. — Matt Corral promised it would be different this time against No. 13 Arkansas.

The Mississippi quarterback, who threw six interceptions last year against the Razorbacks, delivered, leading the Rebels to a wild victory that was sealed by the defense.

Sam Williams and Tavius Robinson pressured Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson on a potential game-winning 2-point conversion and No. 17 Mississippi held on 52-51 Saturday after allowing a touchdown on the final play of regulation.

Arkansas (4-2, 1-2 SEC) scored on a 9-yard pass from Jefferson to Warren Thompson as time expired to pull within a point and decided to go for the win.

Jefferson rolled right and under extended pressure from Williams and Robinson, overthrew Treylon Burks in the end zone.

“However it works, it’s a win,” Mississippi coach Lane Kiffin said. “Obviously, it’s a huge play at the end. Offensively, we did well. I’ve been in games like this before and it’s a lot better when you win.”

Ole Miss (4-1, 1-1) took the lead with 1:07 remaining as Corral threw a 68-yard touchdown pass to Braylon Sanders, accompanied by a soaring clipboard flip by a trailing Kiffin, racing down the home sideline.

Arkansas answered with a 9-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to set up the decisive 2-point play.

“We had three options on the two-point play,” Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman said. “We could pitch, pass or run and we felt confident. They made the play.”

The frantic final two minutes capped an overwhelming offensive performance by both teams with 1,287 total yards and 14 touchdowns.

Corral vowed as far back as SEC Media Day in July to redeem himself against Arkansas: “The next time I play that defense, it’s going to be much different,” he said then.

Corral accounted for four touchdowns, two on runs of 5 and 7 yards and was 14 of 21 for 287 yards passing.

“Down to the last seconds and them with the ball in their hands and you really don’t want that,” Corral said. “But it was a great football game and a great team win for us.”

Sanders had two receptions for 127 yards while Henry Parrish Jr. and Snoop Conner rushed for 111 and 110 yards, respectively.

“My number was called and I’m supposed to make plays,” Sanders said.

ROGELIO V. SOLIS/AP Mississippi defensive back Deane Leonard, left, tackles Arkansas running back Raheim Sanders during Saturday’s game in Oxford, Miss.