Rebels Win on Binkley’s Kick on Final Play

Mississippi is making itself right at home in the Independence Bowl.

The Rebels, after letting a 21-3 halftime lead slip away, got a 39-yard field goal by Les Binkley on the game’s final play Friday night to beat Oklahoma, 27-25.

Ole Miss (8-4) won its second straight Independence Bowl and fourth straight bowl game. Oklahoma, making its first bowl appearance since 1994, wound up 7-5 despite a record-setting performance by quarterback Josh Heupel.

Duece McAllister, who scored two touchdowns and prevented another with a hustling tackle after an interception, helped set up the Rebels’ game-winning drive with a 41-yard kickoff return after Oklahoma had taken the lead with its third touchdown of the second half. McAllister had 121 yards rushing.

Heupel completed 39 of 53 passes for 390 yards, all Independence Bowl records. He had three touchdown passes, all in the second half. His 17-yard pass to Quenton Griffin with 2:17 remaining, along with Tim Duncan’s extra point, gave Oklahoma a 25-24 lead.