At halftime on Saturday, Ole Miss was punching well against Auburn, 10-6. The Rebel defense pleasantly surprised by holding the Tigers down to just a touchdown on their opening drive, two subsequent punts, then a missed field goal, and finally a made field goal.
Six Auburn possessions. 10 Auburn points. Everything was above board before recess.
That Ole Miss’ offense could only cobble together six points on six first-half possessions — which included a blocked field goal on the game’s opening drive — was at the time worrisome, yes, but Auburn was floundering with equal abandon. After the first 30 minutes were over, Ole Miss was decidedly still playing with a shot to upset the Tigers in Oxford.