No. 3 Auburn gets by No. 4 Mississippi, 35-31

Cassanova McKinzy recovered a fumble in the end zone to preserve No.3 Auburn’s 35-31 victory over No. 4 Mississippi on Saturday night in what amounted to the first College Football Playoff knockout game.

The Tigers (7-1, 4-1 Southeastern Conference) got a reprieve after Rebels receiver Laquon Treadwell lost the ball at the end of a tackle-breaking catch-and-run to the end zone with 1 minute 30 seconds left. It was ruled a touchdown, but the replay official determined he lost the ball before crossing the goal line.

McKinzy dove on it, deflating the Mississippi crowd enjoying the team’s best start since 1990. The Rebels (7-2, 4-2) have lost two consecutive games.

Auburn milked a minute off the clock before Mississippi got the ball back at its 49 with 26 seconds left and no timeouts. Bo Wallace, who had fumbled at Auburn’s six on the previous drive, threw three consecutive incompletions before a final play went nowhere.

The Tigers gained 507 yards against the nation’s top scoring defense, the only unit that hadn’t given up 20 points in a game coming into this SEC West clash. A Mississippi offense held to seven points in a loss to No. 19 Louisiana State matched them nearly yard for yard, gaining 492 yards.

It was a compelling duel between two teams tangling for playoff shots, and two quarterbacks swapping big plays.

Marshall completed 15 of 22 passes for 254 yards with an interception that was Senquez Golson’s nation-leading ninth. Marshall ran and passed for two touchdowns. Cameron Artis-Payne turned in another workhorse game, gaining 143 yards in 27 carries.

Wallace was 28 for 40 for 362 yards and two touchdowns. He had a 59-yard run and scored on a three-yard run early in the fourth quarter to give the Rebels a 31-28 lead. Mississippi had three receivers reach 100 yards: Evan Engram (123), Vince Sanders (105) and Treadwell (103).

Auburn answered with Artis-Payne’s six-yard touchdown run with 10:23 left that proved the last points.

Auburn was penalized 13 times for 145 yards.