SEC News and Notes

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) –

ALABAMA: The Crimson Tide defense stood up to a formidable threat posed by nationally-ranked Ole Miss by allowing just 205 yards and forcing a pair of turnovers in what wound up as a 25-0 shutout. The Alabama offense was impressive as well, racking up 434 yards, led by a rushing attack that averaged 6.3 yards per carry. T.J. Yeldon carried the load in the backfield with 17 attempts for 121 yards and a touchdown, while Kenyan Drake was also outstanding with 99 yards and a score on 12 carries. A.J. McCarron completed 25-of-32 passes for 180 yards with an interception, but while the quarterback set a career-high in completions, it was the first time he went without a touchdown pass since Oct. 13, 2012 versus Missouri. HaHa Clinton-Dix had eight tackles to lead the defense, while C.J. Mosley had seven stops and recorded a safety. Alabama (4-0, 2-0 SEC) will step out of conference this week when it hosts FBS newcomer Georgia State.

ARKANSAS: The Razorbacks hung tough with Texas A&M, playing the majority of the game within one touchdown of the lead, but they ultimately fell in their conference opener at home, 45-33. Brandon Allen returned from injury, and while he threw for 282 yards and three touchdowns, both career-highs, he completed fewer than half of his pass attempts (17-of-36) and tossed a pair of interceptions. Hunter Henry set a career-high with 109 yards on four receptions, while Jonathan Williams (four receptions, 67 yards) was on the receiving end of two scoring strikes from Allen. Alex Collins crossed the century mark rushing for the fourth time this season, turning 14 carries into 116 yards and a score, while Williams was also effective in the backfield with 10 carries for 53 yards. The defense could not stop Johnny Manziel and the Aggies, giving up 523 total yards while failing to record a turnover. Arkansas (3-2, 0-1 SEC) will attempt to halt its two-game slide on Saturday when it takes on Florida in Gainesville.

AUBURN: Following a 35-21 setback at the hands of LSU on Sept. 21 for their first loss of the season, the Tigers (3-1, 1-1 SEC) were idle over the weekend. They’ll try to get back on track this Saturday when they play host to Ole Miss.

FLORIDA: In what could have been a trap game on the road, Florida used an outstanding defensive effort to take down Kentucky over the weekend, 24-7. The nation’s second-ranked defense allowed the Wildcats to net just 173 yards, while Dante Fowler, Jr. had two of the team’s five sacks. In his first game as the starter in replace of the injured Jeff Driskel, Tyler Murphy completed 15- of-18 passes for 156 yards with a touchdown and an interception, while also rushing for 36 yards and a score. Matt Jones was a workhorse in the backfield, turning 28 carries into a career-high 176 yards and a touchdown. Trey Burton led the receiving corps with six receptions for 66 yards, including a nine- yard touchdown in the second quarter. The Gators (3-1, 2-0 SEC) return to Gainesville this Saturday to host Arkansas.

GEORGIA: In a marquee battle between top-10 programs, the ninth-ranked Bulldogs managed to outlast the sixth-ranked LSU Tigers, 44-41. Aaron Murray completed 20-of-34 passes for 298 yards, and he accounted for five touchdowns (four passing, one rushing). The Heisman hopeful stepped up his play when it counted the most, as he threw the game-winning 25-yard touchdown pass to Justin Scott-Wesley with less than two minutes left in the game. Chris Conley was Murray’s top target on the afternoon with five receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown, while Michael Bennett (three receptions, 38 yards) was on the receiving end of two of Murray’s scoring strikes. After Todd Gurley (eight carries, 73 yards) left the game with an ankle injury, Keith Marshall stepped up to the tune of 96 yards on 20 totes. While the defense was far from impressive, it did manage to sack Zach Mettenberger four times and Josh Harvey-Clemons had 15 tackles. Georgia (3-1, 2-0 SEC) will attempt to extend its winning streak to four game this Saturday when it travels to Knoxville for bout with the Tennessee Volunteers.

KENTUCKY: The Wildcats were stifled by nationally-ranked Florida’s imposing defense, as they racked up just 173 total yards on their way to a 24-7 defeat. Maxwell Smith earned the start under center but was underwhelming in completing 12-of-20 passes for 90 yards with zero touchdowns and an interception while being sacked four times. Jalen Whitlow also saw time at quarterback, going 5-of-6 for 35 yards. The squad rushed for just 35 yards on the night, with Joe Mansour (25 yards, TD) earning the team lead on just one carry. Ryan Timmons had six receptions for 40 yards and Alex Montgomery reeled in four passes for 47 yards. Kentucky (1-3, 0-1 SEC) travels to Columbia on Saturday for a matchup with nationally-ranked South Carolina.

LSU: The Tigers appeared on their way to a shootout victory over ninth-ranked Georgia, but they surrendered the game-winning touchdown with 1:47 left in the game as they fell on the wrong end of a 44-41 final. Zach Mettenberger was masterful against a strong UGA defense in defeat, completing 23-of-37 passes for a career-high 372 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Jarvis Landry cashed in on Mettenberger’s big day with 156 yards and a touchdown on 10 receptions, while Odell Beckham was also impressive with six catches for 118 yards. Kadron Boone had just two grabs but both went for scores, a 48- yarder and a four-yarder. Jeremy Hill tallied 86 rushing yards and a score, but he averaged just 4.1 yards per carry. LSU (4-1, 1-1 SEC) will try to get back on track this Saturday at Mississippi State.

MISSISSIPPI STATE: The Bulldogs (2-2, 0-1 SEC) were off this past weekend after starting the season by alternating losses with wins. They will continue their current four-game homestand on Saturday with a difficult matchup against LSU.

MISSOURI: After a close clash for three quarters, the Tigers managed to pull away from Arkansas State late to capture a 41-19 victory. The offense amassed nearly 500 yards on the day and showed why its one of the nation’s most balanced units with a near-even split between rushing (239) and passing (256) yards. James Franklin recorded four touchdowns (three passing, one rushing) and 289 total yards while completing 21-of-30 pass attempts. Russell Hansbrough had just eight carries but he went for a team-best 96 yards, while Henry Josey (52 yards) and Marcus Murphy (45 yards) both had six carries and scored a touchdown apiece. Dorial Green-Beckham hauled in four passes for 95 yards and two scores, while L’Damien Washington had six receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown. The defense gave up 425 yards, but held the Red Wolves to just one touchdown, with Andrew Wilson pacing the effort with a whopping 17 tackles. Missouri (4-0) will try to continue its best start since 2010 when it opens SEC play at Vanderbilt on Saturday.

OLE MISS: The Rebels had no answer for the stout Alabama defense, as they went into Tuscaloosa and were shut out by the No. 1 team in the nation, 25-0. The offense amassed just 205 total yards, with only 46 of those coming via the run. Bo Wallace completed 17-of-31 passes for 159 yards, with the majority of his production going to Donte Moncrief (six receptions, 60 yards). The defense played well against the Tide’s high-powered offense, holding A.J. McCarron without a touchdown, but the unit allowed 254 rushing yards. Bryon Bennett recorded a sack and Cody Prewitt had an interception. Ole Miss (3-1, 1-1 SEC) will try to bounce back this Saturday when it plays at Auburn.

SOUTH CAROLINA: The Gamecocks came out sluggish at UCF, going scoreless in the first half, but they picked things up after halftime to rally for a 28-25 victory. The comeback was orchestrated mostly by Mike Davis, who rushed 26 times for a career-high 167 yards with three touchdowns, with his final score coming early in the fourth quarter to put his team up 18. Connor Shaw left the game after injuring his shoulder on the opening drive and did not return. Dylan Thompson replaced Shaw and threw for 261 yards and an interception on 15-of-32 passing while adding a rushing touchdown. Damiere Byrd (five receptions, 74 yards) and Bruce Ellington (four receptions, 88 yards) both had impressive showings on the outside. The defense was somewhat lax in allowing 427 yards, but made up for it by forcing four turnovers. South Carolina (3-1) returns home on Saturday night to entertain the Kentucky Wildcats.

TENNESSEE: The Volunteers built a 24-point lead over South Alabama early in the second half, and while they allowed 17 unanswered points at the end of the game, they still managed to hold on for a 31-24 victory. Rajion Neal led the way with a career-high 169 yards on 25 carries, including an 11-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter. Marlin Lane had just five carries, but made each of them count with 66 yards and a score. Justin Worley completed 20-of-36 passes for 204 yards and a two touchdowns, but he nearly cost his team with three interceptions. Josh Smith (three receptions, 40 yards) caught a 29-yard touchdown from Worley in the second quarter. Brian Randolph led the defensive effort with 12 tackles. Tennessee (3-2) returns to SEC action this Saturday with a home contest against nationally-ranked Georgia.

TEXAS A&M: A lackluster defensive effort made the game interesting throughout, but the offense picked up the slack, putting up 523 yards as the Aggies dismissed Arkansas on the road, 45-33. It was a rather modest performance by Johnny Manziel’s standards, as he completed 23-of-30 passes for 261 yards and two touchdowns to go with 59 rushing yards, but he also played mistake-free football. Mike Evans continued his outstanding season with six receptions for 116 yards and two touchdowns, and Derel Walker was also impressive as a receiver with seven receptions for 81 yards. Trey Williams (83 yards) and Tra Carson (64 yards) each had strong rushing days on just nine carries apiece, with Williams finding the end zone. Texas A&M (4-1, 1-1 SEC) has off this week, next returning to action against Ole Miss on the road on Oct. 12.

VANDERBILT: The Commodores made easy work of UAB at home on Saturday, 52-24, behind a career performance from their quarterback. Austyn Carta-Samuels completed 23-of-29 passes for 334 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, while also adding a score on the ground. As usual, Carta-Samuels leaned on star wideout Jordan Matthews, who reeled in eight passes for 115 yards and a touchdown. Matthews has crossed the century mark in receiving yards in four of five games this season, and has tallied eight receptions in each of the last three. Johnathan Krause was also a reliable target for Carta- Samuels with four grabs for 108 yards. Jerron Seymour led the Vandy rushing attack with 107 yards and a pair of score, while also playing a big role in the passing game (three receptions, 45 yards). Darreon Herring and Kenny Ladler each picked off a pass in a strong defensive effort. The unit held UAB to 362 total yards. Vanderbilt (3-2) will try for its first conference win on Saturday when it hosts Missouri.

Categorized in: NCAA Football