Ole Miss Wins for Orgeron

Linebacker Garry Pack intercepted Will Hudgens’ pass at the goal line with about 20 seconds left to help Mississippi hold off host Memphis, 10-6, Monday for the Rebels’ first victory under new Coach Ed Orgeron in the opener for both teams.

Orgeron, the former USC defensive line coach, took over the Rebels after David Cutcliffe was let go after a 4-7 season.

Micheal Spurlock completed 14 of 27 passes for 184 yards and had a 12-yard, fourth-down touchdown run in the third quarter for Ole Miss.

Memphis reached the Mississippi 37-yard line on its second-to-last drive, but Rebel safety Charles Clark recovered receiver Maurice Avery’s fumble with 2:37 to play.

The Rebels limited Tiger star DeAngelo Williams to 85 yards in 24 carries and gave up 119 yards rushing overall. Memphis led, 6-3, at halftime.

Hudgens took over the Memphis offense after starting quarterback Patrick Byrne broke his right leg on the Tigers’ third play from scrimmage

On Hudgens’ first drive, he set up Stephen Gostkowski’s 34-yard field goal that tied it, 3-3. Gostkowski added a 47-yarder in the second quarter.

Spurlock completed nine of his 13 first-half passes and kept the Rebels moving. Most of those connections in the first half were to Mario Hill, who caught six passes for 102 yards before the break. Hill finished with eight catches for 132 yards.

New Mexico 24, Nevada Las Vegas 22 -- Kole McKamey threw two touchdown passes and Gabriel Fulbright’s interception in the final minutes preserved the victory for the Lobos in a season-opening Mountain West Conference game at Albuquerque, N.M. New Mexico scored on its first three possessions to take a 17-0 lead, then had to hold off a fourth quarter rally by UNLV.

Shane Steichen’s seven-yard, fourth-down pass to Donell Wheaton got the Rebels within 24-22 with 1:31 left. UNLV went for the two-point conversion, but halfback Erick Jackson was stopped inside the one.

UNLV’s Chanti Bloomer then recovered an onside kick, giving the Rebels possession at the New Mexico 48. On the next play Fulbright stepped in front of UNLV tight end Greg Estandia near the sidelines to pick off Steichen’s pass with 1:20 left.