Nix, defense power No. 18 Auburn past No. 10 Ole Miss, 31-20

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Bo Nix passed for 276 yards and a touchdown and ran for two more scores and No. 18 Auburn's defense made a number of big stops in a 31-20 victory over 10th-ranked Mississippi on Saturday night.

The Tigers (6-2, 4-1 Southeastern Conference) remained the top challenger to No. 3 Alabama in the Western Division with Nix winning a quarterback duel with Heisman candidate Matt Corral.

The Rebels (6-2, 3-2) had their three-game winning streak end after squandering four second-half scoring chances, three with failed fourth down passes in field goal range. Plus Jaylin Simpson intercepted a pass in the end zone — only Corral's second this season — midway through the fourth.

Nix completed 22 of 30 passes and ran for 30 yards. Tank Bigsby ran for 140 yards and a touchdown for the Tigers.

Corral had his 19-game streak with a touchdown pass end with a 21-of-37, 289-yard performance. He did run for a score, returning after getting carted to the locker room with an apparent left ankle injury in the first quarter.

Jahcour Pearson caught seven passes for 135 yards for the Rebels, who have been short-handed at wide receiver. The Western Kentucky transfer came in with 30 yards this season.

Ole Miss stayed alive late with an Auburn fumble across midfield. But the comeback bid ended on a fourth-and-3 incompletion from the 18 when the Rebels also were flagged for two penalties.

THE TAKEAWAY

Mississippi: A team that had attempted and converted more fourth down plays than anybody in FBS lost its mojo in key situations. In their two losses, including to Alabama, the Rebels are 3 of 9.

Auburn: Has beaten two straight ranked SEC West teams to remain in control of its own destiny in the division. Nix has been superb against both Arkansas and Ole Miss after getting benched against Georgia State.

INJURY RETURNS

Both teams got key players back from injury, including the Rebels' No. 2 receiver Braylon Sanders, who didn't catch a pass. Auburn linebacker Owen Pappoe, who had missed the past four games, and edge rusher TD Moultry returned.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

The Tigers should jump a few spots in the rankings. The Rebels' first visit to the Top 10 since the final poll in 2015 was short-lived.

UP NEXT

Mississippi hosts Liberty and former Rebels coach Hugh Freeze on Nov. 6.

Auburn visits No. 14 Texas A&M on Nov. 6.

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