Sunday, October 7, 2007

Rebs post first Shutout since 2003

-Seth Adams threw two touchdowns Saturday and the Ole Miss defense notched the Rebels' first shutout since 2003 in a 24-0 win over Louisiana Tech on homecoming.

Ole Miss (2-4) snapped a four-game losing streak while holding the Bulldogs (1-4) to 301 yards of total offense. Adams completed 16 of 32 passes for 167 yards and touchdowns to Dexter McCluster and Shay Hodge.

Louisiana Tech's Zac Champion threw for 144 yards on 16 of 27 passing, and the Bulldogs lost their fourth straight.

Danny Horwedel missed a 42-yard attempt in the third quarter, and Ole Miss' Brandon Jenkins blocked a 36-yard field goal attempt late in the fourth quarter and Dustin Mouzon returned it 55 yards for the final score.

Daniel Porter rushed for 51 yards for the Bulldogs, and Patrick Jackson added 48.

The two teams combined for four turnovers in the first half, and it was one of those that helped give Ole Miss a 7-0 lead.

Defensive end Marcus Tillman fell on Louisiana Tech center Lon Roberts' errant snap in the shotgun formation on the second play of the game. Three plays later, Adams hit McCluster on a deep slant for a 28-yard touchdown 1:32 into the game.

It was the first touchdown since Sept. 30, 2006, for McCluster, who missed the first four games of the year with a shoulder injury and the last six games of last season with a neck injury.

After Joshua Shene put Ole Miss up 10-0 at the half with a 27-yard field goal in the second quarter, Adams hit Hodge for a 17-yard touchdown in the third quarter for a 17-0 lead.

Louisiana Tech committed 13 penalties for 117 yards and allowed Ole Miss' first shutout since a 31-0 win over Mississippi State on Nov. 27, 2003.

The 24-point winning margin marked the Rebels' largest under head coach Ed Orgeron.

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