Confusion sabotages Rebels

Ole Miss falters against Auburn

By PARRISH ALFORD
SPECIAL TO THE SUN HERALD

AUBURN, Ala. --

Communication had come easily, and it looked like Brent Schaeffer might be able to submit his name for comeback player of the week.

Relieving a slightly dinged Seth Adams at quarterback, Schaeffer had guided Ole Miss from its 23 to the Auburn 20. But Schaeffer and wide receiver Shay Hodge weren't on the same page when his pass was picked off by Auburn defensive back Patrick Lee.

It was the Rebels' only turnover, but it ended their chance to tie the game with fourth quarter minutes ticking away.

No. 23 Auburn turned the pick into a nine-play, 80-yard touchdown drive and a 17-3 win before 87,451 at Jordan-Hare Stadium Saturday.

The Rebels (2-7, 0-6) showed more fire than in last week's 44-8 home loss to Arkansas but still have managed just 11 points in the last two games. Auburn (6-3, 4-2) responded from last week's emotional loss at LSU byrushing for 231 of its 420 yards.

"We were pretty conservatively offensively," Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said. "We thought we could run the ball. Ole Miss didn't want to get embarrassed like they did last week, and they did a good job."

The Rebels finished with 193 net yards.

"We fought. We were prepared to play after a tough week," Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron said. "We had competitive spirit, and I was proud of that."

The Rebels did not have SEC sack leader Greg Hardy, who was suspended for an undisclosed teams rules violation. Orgeron said Hardy's situation would be "handled" on Monday. He did not elaborate.

It is the second time this season Hardy has been suspended, though the first time was only for a half at Georgia.

Senior Viciente DeLoach played in Hardy's place, and the defense, while giving up massive yardage, had the Rebels just a touchdown back when Hodge zigged and Schaeffer's pass zagged.

The miscommunication extended from the field to the locker room. Offensive coordinator Dan Werner said Hodge ran the correct route and that Schaeffer told him he was trying to throw it away.

"He said he didn't feel the corner would be able to get over there on it. Obviously he did," Werner said.

Both players said confusion marred the play.

Hodge said the route called for him to come back to the ball and that Schaeffer thought he had waved his hand to signal a go route. It's an option given to receivers when they think they've beaten a defender.

"I was trying to put it up there for him to make a play," Schaeffer said. The drive began at the Ole Miss 1, and Adams was kicked in the head after a 4-yard scramble to the 23.

Schaeffer took over and was 3-for-3 and had a 7-yard run in leading Ole Miss to its deepest penetration of the night.

The interception gave Auburn the ball at the 20 with 7 minutes, 7 seconds remaining.

It was still a 10-3 game when Auburn faced third-and-8 from its 34, and quarterback Brandon Cox hit Rodgeriqus Smith for a 34-yard touchdown play with 3:15 to play. The Rebels blitzed, and Cox was hit after he threw the pass.

Adams, who had thrown 10 interceptions in the previous three games, did not throw a pick for only the second time this season. He appeared much more eager to throw the ball out of bounds under pressure, and there was plenty of it from a four-man front while Auburn played zone coverage.

Adams was 11-for-24 for 89 yards. He was sacked three times and hurried numerous others. He was kicked in the head on the scramble but returned after the Smith touchdown.

"Obviously I wanted to protect the ball better, and that's something I've worked on," Adams said. "They were dropping back and gave us the underneath stuff, which we hit."