SEC News and Notes

Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) –

ALABAMA: The Crimson Tide (8-0, 5-0 SEC) enjoyed an open date over the weekend, as the No. 1 team in the nation prepares for this Saturday’s key conference clash with visiting LSU.

ARKANSAS: The Razorbacks’ mid-season slide continued at home versus Auburn, as they lost 35-7 in a game they never led. The teams were evenly matched in terms of total yardage — Auburn outgained Arkansas by just 20 yards, 366-346 — but the Hogs lost the turnover battle, 3-0. Brandon Allen was largely ineffective on the evening, completing just 10-of-22 passes for 112 yards, with his highlight coming on a 13-yard touchdown pass to Keon Hatcher in the third quarter. A quality rushing attack was one of the few bright spots in the setback. Jonathan Williams ran for 104 yards on just 15 carries, while Alex Collins was also strong with 92 yards on 18 attempts. Kiero Small (five carries, 16 yards) saw action late and scored a fourth-quarter touchdown. Arkansas (3-6, 0-5 SEC), losers of six straight, travels to Oxford this Saturday for a clash with Ole Miss.

AUBURN: The Tigers continued their impressive campaign with a 35-17 road victory over Arkansas. They turned to the ground game early and often, and the rushing attack was paced by Tre Mason, who carried the ball 32 times for 168 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. Nick Marshall was also effective in amassing 59 yards on nine attempts. Because of the heavy dose of run plays, Marshall wasn’t asked to do much under center, but he made the most of his limited opportunities by going 7-of-8 for 118 yards, with his big strike coming on an 88-yard TD pass to Sammie Coates (three receptions, 102 yards). Despite losing the time-of-possession battle by nearly 10 minutes, Auburn (8-1, 4-1 SEC) won the turnover battle, 3-0, and was able to capitalize on great field position all night. The Tigers will try to extend their winning streak to six games when they play at Tennessee this Saturday.

FLORIDA: Trailing by 20 at the half against Georgia, the Gators fought valiantly after intermission, but their comeback attempt fell short as they lost, 23-20. The offense generated only 319 yards, and Tyler Murphy struggled under center with 174 yards on just 13-of-29 passing, although he did score a rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to bring his team within three points of the lead. Mack Brown (nine carries, 41 yards) also scored a touchdown, while Kelvin Taylor tallied 20 carries but netted just 76 yards. Quinton Dunbar was the club’s standout receiver, hauling in four passes for 91 yards. The defense could not get off the field in the final frame, as Georgia ran out the final 8:17 without giving the ball back. Florida (4-4, 3-3 SEC), which lost all three games on its recent road trip, returns home this Saturday to battle Vanderbilt.

GEORGIA: The Bulldogs nearly saw their 20-point halftime lead over Florida evaporate before their eyes, but they were able to hold on for a 23-20 victory for their first win since Oct. 5. After missing three games with an ankle injury, Todd Gurley returned to action and amassed 100 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. He was also a factor as a receiver (three receptions, 87 yards), with most of that production coming on a 73-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Aaron Murray completed 16-of-25 passes for 258 yards and a touchdown, but he also lost a fumble on a backward pass that sparked the Gators’ comeback bid. The defense stepped up by allowing UF’s Tyler Murphy to complete just 13-of-29 passes while sacking him four times. Georgia (5-3, 4-2 SEC) steps out of conference this Saturday when it hosts FCS foe Appalachian State.

KENTUCKY: The Wildcats successfully put an end to their five-game losing streak with a 48-14 trouncing of FCS foe Alabama State in their Homecoming game. Jalen Whitlow was the catalyst in the triumph, not only with his play from the pocket (16-of-26, 186 yards, two TDs) but as a rusher as well, piling up 101 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the ground. Jojo Kemp was also impressive for a rushing attack that averaged more than five yards per carry on the night, picking up 67 yards and a touchdown on 13 attempts. Eight different receivers caught a pass, with Steven Borden and Alex Montgomery hauling in the two touchdowns. The defense beat up on its overmatched opponent, holding Alabama State to just 297 total yards. Kentucky (2-6) returns to SEC action this Saturday, and will have its hands full as nationally-ranked Missouri comes to town.

LSU: After starting the season with games in nine consecutive weeks, the Tigers (7-2, 3-2 SEC) finally had a bye. They will get back to action this Saturday in a prime time showdown at No. 1 Alabama.

MISSISSIPPI STATE: The Bulldogs could not get out of their own way against South Carolina over the weekend, committing five turnovers on their way to a 34-16 setback, snapping a two-game win streak in the process. Dak Prescott’s three interceptions ruined an otherwise solid afternoon (28-of-43, 235 yards, 78 rushing yards, two TDs). Robert Johnson (53 yards) and Jameon Lewis (45 yards) were both active at receiver, hauling in seven balls apiece. LaDarius Perkins was bottled up in the backfield, gaining just 40 yards on 12 carries (3.3 ypc). MSU’s defensive effort was impressive, as the unit held the Gamecocks to 307 total yards and 1-of-11 on third down, but it failed to record a single turnover. Mississippi State (4-4, 1-3 SEC) continues its road swing this Saturday when it takes on nationally-ranked Texas A&M in College Station.

MISSOURI: The Tigers opened their recent clash against Tennessee by scoring the first 17 points and went on to an easy 31-3 victory, bouncing back from their first loss of the season. Maty Mauk completed fewer than 50 percent of his passes (12-of-25), but he threw for 163 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Marcus Lucas led the team in both receptions (four) and yards (75) and found himself on the receiving end of a 40-yard scoring strike from Mauk in the second quarter. The rushing attack received plenty of work as the game got out of hand late (54 carries, 339 yards), and, somewhat surprisingly, it was Mauk who led the way with 114 yards. Russell Hansbrough turned seven carries into 61 yards and a score. The defense held the Volunteers to only 334 total yards while forcing three turnovers. Missouri (8-1, 4-1 SEC) will try to continue its reign atop the SEC East standings this Saturday when it travels to Lexington to face Kentucky.

OLE MISS: Fresh off back-to-back victories, the Rebels (5-3, 2-3 SEC) were idle this past weekend. They’ll continue their six-game homestand on Saturday afternoon against Arkansas.

SOUTH CAROLINA: Behind a defense that forced five turnovers, the Gamecocks were able to roll to a 34-16 home win over Mississippi State. The stout defensive effort helped mask a lackluster offensive performance, as the team managed just 12 first downs and 307 total yards. Connor Shaw had a relatively quiet day, completing just 10-of-20 passes for 147 yards, but he made each completion count as he finished with a career-high-tying four touchdowns. Shaq Roland finished with just two receptions, but both went for scores in the first quarter (43, 14). Mike Davis was a workhorse in the USC backfield, converting 15 carries into 128 yards. Victor Hampton racked up eight tackles to go with a forced fumble and a fumble recovery for the Gamecocks (7-2, 5-2 SEC), who are idle this week and will pick up action on Nov. 16 in a home clash with Florida.

TENNESSEE: The Volunteers were overmatched on the road against Missouri this past weekend, losing by a 31-3 final. Filling in for an injured Justin Worley under center, Joshua Dobbs struggled all afternoon, completing 26-of-42 passes for 240 yards with two interceptions, although he did lead the team in rushing with 45 yards. Alton “Pig” Howard was Dobbs’ favorite target, as he recorded career highs in both receptions (11) and yards (89). The only source of points came late in the second quarter, when Michael Palardy drilled a 51-yard field goal, the second longest of his career. The defense had no answer for the Tigers’ offensive attack, especially on the ground where the unit surrendered 339 rushing yards. Tennessee (4-5, 1-4 SEC) will try to climb back to .500 on Saturday afternoon when it returns home to take on Auburn.

TEXAS A&M: The Aggies enjoyed a break from SEC competition over the weekend by rolling over Texas-El Paso, 57-7. Johnny Manziel made his presence known in less than three quarters of work, accounting for a career-high-tying six touchdowns (four passing, two rushing), while effortlessly moving the ball down the field both as a passer (16-of-24, 273 yards) and a runner (seven carries, 67 yards). Two of Manziel’s scoring strikes found the grasp of Travis Labhart (four receptions, 83 yards), while in all 11 different Aggies caught a pass in the blowout victory. Brandon Williams (five carries, 59 yards) and Ben Malena (four carries, 45 yards) were both dangerous out of the backfield, despite limited touches. The A&M defense, which limited UTEP to only 198 yards, was led by Darian Claiborne, who tallied 12 tackles and a forced fumble. Texas A&M (7-2) returns to SEC action and closes out a four-game homestand this Saturday versus Mississippi State.

VANDERBILT: The Commodores (4-4, 1-4 SEC) used their bye week to recover from a 56-24 defeat at Texas A&M on Oct. 26. They’ll attempt to get back on track on Saturday afternoon when they visit the Florida Gators.

Categorized in: NCAA Football