Auburn holds off Mississippi State, 17-14

Cameron Newton threw two touchdown passes and accounted for 206 total yards to help No. 21 Auburn defeat Mississippi State, 17-14, on Thursday night in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams at Starkville, Miss.

Mississippi State’s last drive ended at the Auburn 40 when Chris Relf’s fourth-down pass fell incomplete with 22 seconds remaining.

Newton, a 6-foot-6, 250-pound junior, outgained Mississippi State 146-125 all by himself in the first half. After leading 17-7 at halftime, the Tigers managed to hold off the Bulldogs for the win.

Auburn (2-0) has won 17 of its last 18 SEC openers. Mississippi State (1-1) hasn’t won its first two games since 2000.

Temple wins in OT

Brandon McManus kicked a 30-yard field goal in overtime to give Temple (2-0) a 13-10 victory over Central Michigan in the Mid-American Conference opener for both teams. Central Michigan (1-1) forced overtime with David Harman’s 31-yard field goal with 1:11 left in regulation.

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Mississippi Coach Houston Nutt says offensive lineman Rishaw Johnson has been kicked off the team after a “violation of team rules.” Johnson, a junior from Hammond, La., started at right guard in the season opener against Jacksonville State and started three games last season. Nutt also said reserve linebacker Brandon Sanders has been suspended indefinitely. … Defensive tackle Jeremy Lewis and three other Miami players were ruled out for the season because of injuries. Lewis hurt his lower right leg early in No. 12 Miami’s season-opening 45-0 win over Florida A&M last week. The Hurricanes have also listed fullback John Calhoun, running back Darion Hall and linebacker Travis Williams as out for the year because of undisclosed surgeries. Defensive lineman Luther Robinson and linebacker Kevin Nelson are listed as out for Saturday’s game against No. 2 Ohio State.