Fumble recovery seals Auburn’s win over Rebels

OXFORD, Miss. (AP) Cassanova McKinzy recovered a fumble in the end zone to preserve No. 4 Auburn’s 35-31 victory over No. 7 Mississippi on Saturday night in what amounted to the first College Football Playoff knockout game.

The Tigers (7-1, 4-1 Southeastern Conference, No. 3 CFP) got a reprieve after Rebels receiver Laquon Treadwell lost the ball at the end of a tackle-breaking catch-and-run to the end zone with 1:30 left. It was ruled a touchdown, but the replay official determined that he lost the ball before crossing the goal line.

McKinzy dove on it, deflating the Ole Miss crowd enjoying the best start since 1990 for the Rebels (7-2, 4-2, No. 4 CFP).

Auburn milked a minute off the clock before Ole Miss got the ball back at its 49 with 26 seconds left and no timeouts. Bo Wallace threw three straight incompletions before a final desperation play went nowhere.

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