Halftime report: Ole Miss 21, Vols 14

OXFORD, Miss. – Halftime report …

Wow, the Vols got lucky on that last Ole Miss possession.

The Rebels were in great shape to go up 28-14 but botched their field position in the red zone.

Dexter McCluster, unstoppable thoughout the half, ran for 13 yards and a first down at the UT 11 with a little over a minute to play.

The Rebels should have stuck with McCluster, but missed on three pass plays. Worse, reliable Joshua Shene then pushed a chip-shot, 28-yard field goal wide.

So the Vols get into halftime down only 21-14 and will receive the second-half kickoff.

McCluster has scored on runs of 15, 23 and 39 yards and has 162 rushing yards at the half.

Jonathan Crompton has two touchdown passes, to Jeff Cottam and Denarius Moore, but the Vols have also had four three-and-out series out of their six legitimate first-half possessions.

The Vols have sustained only one drive, the 11-play march that ended in the TD pass to Moore.

The total offense battle is 260-133 in Ole Miss’ favor.

Tennessee better come up with some halftime adjustments to address McCluster.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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