WATCH: Kiffin: “We started pressing” in road loss at #18 Auburn

Ole Miss showed heart, but was unable to come back from a first half deficit and it cost them in a 31-20 defeat at #18 Auburn in primetime at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday night.  

Ole Miss (6-2, 3-2 SEC) and Auburn (6-2, 3-1 SEC) were nearly even on the stat sheet, with the Tigers holding a slight 483-464 edge in total offense, but the game was won in the 2nd half, as Auburn possessed the ball for six more minutes than the Rebels and held onto its 28-17 halftime lead in a half that featured just six combined points.

Matt Corral fought through an early injury but returned, ending the day 21-of-37 for 289 yards through the air while tallying 45 yards and a score on 10 rushes. Jahcour Pearson and Casey Kelly each had career nights, with both hauling in seven passes for 135 and 81 yards, respectively. On the ground, Henry Parrish Jr. had 57 yards on 12 carries while Snoop Conner had one of two Rebel touchdowns on the night.

Defensively, AJ Finley led the Rebels with 10 tackles, followed by Mark Robinson’s nine. Sam Williams and Tylan Knight each had a sack while the defense forced two turnovers. Ole Miss held Auburn to three second half points, but the Rebels were also only able to muster a second half field goal themselves while going 4-for-8 in the red zone on the night.

Ole Miss head football coach Lane Kiffin lamented the loss following the game. Video is courtesy of Ole Miss Athletics.