NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Jay Cutler threw for 314 yards and ran for another 58, leading Vanderbilt to a 31-23 victory Saturday over Mississippi that made the Commodores 3-0 for the first time since 1984.
Jeff Jennings ran 24 times for 103 yards and three touchdowns, the last with 1:26 left to make it an eight-point game.
Ole Miss (1-1, 0-1 Southeastern Conference) had one last chance with quarterback Micheal Spurlock trying to drive the Rebels, but he got hurt while scrambling near midfield. Robert Lane came off the bench and got the Rebels to the Vanderbilt 16.
On third-and-5 with time running out, linebacker Moses Osemwegie knocked the ball from Lane's hands and recovered it with 1 second left.
The Commodores (2-0 SEC) ran over to the student section with their arms in the air after beating Mississippi for only the second time in the past 13 meetings.
For a program that has slogged through 22 consecutive losing seasons, a three-game winning streak is cause for celebration. Vandy is 3-0 for just the fourth time since 1950.
Cutler helped the Commodores control the clock for more 37 minutes, running 90 plays for 523 yards.
Vanderbilt came into its home opener after winning two road games and looked ready to rout the Rebels, leading 24-3 at half.
But Ole Miss scored 20 unanswered points in the second half and had a chance to tie the game after Mike Espy's 51-yard punt return for a touchdown. Ralph McKenzie blocked Will Moseley's extra point attempt with 8:20 left to preserve the 24-23 Vanderbilt lead.
The Commodores, fittingly, made it tough on themselves until the very end.
After the blocked extra point, Cutler moved the Commodores 78 yards in two plays down to the Ole Miss 2. But an intentional grounding penalty and a dropped pass in the end zone forced Vandy to attempt a 31-yarder by Bryant Hahnfeldt that was blocked by Corvelli Haynes.
Vandy's defense stopped the Rebels, and Cutler responded by driving the Commodores 64 yards in 11 plays before Jennings' final touchdown.
AUBURN 63, BALL STATE 3
In Auburn, Ala., Kenny Irons and Brad Lester rushed for two touchdowns each, and Lester returned a kick 93 yards for another score, helping Auburn roll to a victory over Ball State.
Brandon Cox completed 16 of 19 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown for the Tigers (2-1), who had five tailbacks score and reached the end zone on every possession against the Cardinals (0-3).
Irons carried 11 times for 147 yards, including a 68-yard score, and didn't play in the second half. The Tigers had been searching for a tailback tandem among four contenders, and Irons and Lester did their part to emerge from the logjam.
Lester had a 70-yard run to set up his 3-yard TD in the fourth quarter and gained 91 yards on seven carries. The Tigers gained 390 yards rushing and averaged 10 yards per play.
Lester's kick return in the third quarter ruined Ball State's momentary good mood after the team's lone score, a field goal.
It was Auburn's first score on a kick return since 2000.
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