BenJarvus Green-Ellis rushed for 120 yards and three touchdowns as the Rebels overcame a scrappy opponent and more suspensions Saturday in a 38-31 win over the Demons that wasn't as satisfying as hoped. Coach Ed Orgeron was unsparing after the Rebels snapped a three-game losing streak.
``Overall, we have to be pleased with the win,'' Orgeron said. ``But we arent pleased with the performance.''
The point total was the most for Ole Miss (3-7) since a 31-28 win over South Carolina in 2004.
Ole Miss piled up 222 yards of total offense in the first quarter but had to hold on as Northwestern State (3-6) of the Football Championship Subdivision rallied late in the fourth quarter to make things interesting.
It was the 10th win for Orgeron in his third year. It came after a vote of confidence from the university administration, but with a season-low announced crowd of 23,283, fans showed their dissatisfaction by staying home.
``You know, Ive got worry about the play of my team,'' Orgeron said about the crowd. ``I know when the stadium is full these guys feed off of it.''
Orgeron confirmed that defensive lineman Chris Strong, wide receiver Michael Hicks and linebacker Ashlee Palmer were suspended for an unstated violation of team rules.
It was the third time in the last four games that Orgeron suspended one or more players. Orgeron announced earlier this week that defensive end Greg Hardy, the Southeastern Conference's sack leader, had been suspended indefinitely.
``We expect them back Monday and well move on from there,'' Orgeron said of the suspended trio.
Ole Miss' defense struggled to stop Northwestern State, which had 499 yards of total offense. The Demons scored twice in the final eight minutes to make it close and had a 79-yard punt return for a touchdown called back in the fourth quarter.
The Rebels were forced to bleed the final 3:16 off the clock to seal the win.
Ole Miss built a 17-0 first-quarter lead after Green-Ellis' touchdown runs of 41 and 25 yards.
Northwestern State rallied to 17-14 in the opening six minutes of the second half on a 28-yard reverse by Tyler Cheramie and a 16-yard pass from Germayne Edmond to Adam Varnado.
Mike Wallace answered with a 77-yard kickoff return and backup quarterback Brent Schaeffer hit Shay Hodge with a 10-yard touchdown pass to build the lead to 31-14.
Schaeffer entered after Seth Adams threw an interception late in the third quarter. Adams was 7 of 15 passing for 113 yards while Schaeffer went 3-for-13 for 64 yards and a touchdown.
Green-Ellis added a 4-yard touchdown with 12:01 left that appeared to put the game away.
Northwestern State scored twice in the final eight minutes, however. Edmond scored on a 3-yard run, followed by a 37-yard touchdown pass from Drew Branch to Kedrin Seastrunk with 3:16 remaining. But the Demons never regained possession and were done in by three turnovers, two of which the Rebels converted into points.
``We just turned the ball over too many times,'' Northwestern State coach Scott Stoker said. ``You really can't do that against anybody and be able to win. But we just kept fighting back.''
http://accesswdun.com/article/2007/11/203654