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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
3-3 , 1-2
Alabama
6-1 , 3-1
Ole Miss Falls To No. 8 Alabama 23-10
10/16/2010 | Football
Oct. 16, 2010
Final Stats | Photo Gallery 
| Notes | Final Book
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) - Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli tossed a touchdown pass and ran for 40 yards, but it wasn't enough as Ole Miss fell to No. 8 Alabama 23-10 on Saturday night.
The Rebels (3-3, 1-2) came in averaging 37 points and had scored 97 in their previous two games. Their waning comeback hopes ended with Mark Barron's interception in the final 5 minutes. Marcell Dareus tipped the ball at the line and then DeQuan Menzie batted the ball into the air before Barron caught it.
But Mark Ingram and the Alabama running game were largely stymied by Ole Miss. Ingram, whose hopes for a repeat Heisman Trophy absorbed a huge blow with a rough game against the Gamecocks, was held to 60 yards on 15 carries.
The Tide's backfield did manage the one explosive play midway through the third quarter that effectively put it out of reach. Alabama's offense appeared stalled on third-and-11 when McElroy threw to Richardson, the other half of a formidable tailback duo that is suddenly struggling as opposing teams stack defenders near the line.
Richardson shook off tacklers at the line and sprinted down the left sideline for a 23-3 lead.
It was more than enough cushion with Alabama's defense staging a nice comeback a week after giving up 35 points to the Gamecocks.
The Tide defenders swarmed and kept Jeremiah Masoli in check on the ground and in a hurry to get rid of the ball. Ole Miss had just 41 yards and two first downs by halftime before starting to move the ball at times in the second half.
Masoli was 18-of-40 passing for 110 yards with a touchdown and interception.
The Rebels finally got into the end zone with Masoli's 15-yard pass to Melvin Harris with 4:40 left in the third quarter. It came on third-and-7, but by then thousands of Alabama fans had already headed for the exits.
Ole Miss didn't help its cause by committing 12 penalties for 106 yards.
Cade Foster kicked field goals of 49 and 44 yards for the Tide, while Jeremy Shelley had a 19-yarder.
Team Stats
UM 0, UA 7
UA - Preston Dial 7 yd pass from Greg McElroy (Jeremy Shelley kick) 11 plays, 46 yards, TOP 4:34
UM 0, UA 10
UA - Cade Foster 49 yd field goal 7 plays, 26 yards, TOP 2:58
UM 0, UA 13
UA - Jeremy Shelley 19 yd field goal 4 plays, 6 yards, TOP 1:56
UM 3, UA 13
UM - Bryson Rose 22 yd field goal 8 plays, 16 yards, TOP 3:05
UM 3, UA 16
UA - Cade Foster 44 yd field goal 7 plays, 52 yards, TOP 1:28
UM 3, UA 23
UA - T. Richardson 85 yd pass from Greg McElroy (Jeremy Shelley kick) 3 plays, 82 yards, TOP 1:19
UM 10, UA 23
UM - Melvin Harris 15 yd pass from Jeremiah Masoli (Bryson Rose kick) 10 plays, 71 yards, TOP 2:42