Ole Miss Football: What Went Wrong vs. Auburn

Sep 17, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Fans cheer during the game between the Mississippi Rebels and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Alabama won 48-43. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Ole Miss lost their third straight game of the season to fall to 3-5. So what went wrong against Auburn for the Rebels?

It seems as though every week is the same for Ole Miss football this season. The Rebels will get off to a fast start only to see it be erased in the second half.

The Rebels are the same team they have been since the beginning of the season. They have trouble on defense, but can score against pretty much anyone. So what were the takeaways from the game?

Oct 15, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Bret Bielema talks to Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly (10) after the game at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas defeated Ole Miss 34-30. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Chad Kelly played the best game of his career against Auburn on Saturday night. He broke the single game school passing record that was held by Archie Manning, by throwing for 465 yards. Kelly also had three touchdowns and one interception.

Kelly was also the team’s leading rusher by running for 40 yards. It is not a stretch to say that Kelly single – handedly kept the Rebels in the game against a very good defensive team.

Nov 28, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn reacts during the second quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

Auburn is the best rushing team in the SEC and Ole Miss is the worst rushing defense in the league. That proved to continue in the game on Saturday as Auburn ran for 307 yards on 52 carries.

Kamryn Pettway set his career-high with 236 rushing yards in the game. That proved to be a downfall for Ole Miss as Auburn was able to control the game on the ground and make just enough plays to win the game.

Sep 10, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels place kicker Gary Wunderlich (97) kicks a field goal against Wofford Terriers during the first half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

It’s pretty simple: Ole Miss was not good enough in the red zone to beat a Top 15 team. The Rebels kicked three field goals and did not convert a fourth down inside the five. There was also a blocked extra point after the first touchdown by Ole Miss.

That is a total of 20 possible points that were left on the table by the Rebels. In a close game, that will come back to bite you in the end more often than not.