Auburn's misfortune keeps SEC West hopes alive for Rebs

By By Will Bardwell / staff writer
Nov. 10, 2003
AUBURN, Ala. On one play, Auburn wide receiver Ben Obomanu may have single-handedly saved Ole Miss' season.
Or perhaps he did so double-handedly. After all, he did get both hands on a potential touchdown pass that would have put the Tigers up 26-24 against the Rebels on Saturday.
Both hands or not, though, Obomanu could not reel in the pass. The ball fell to the turf, and in the same instant, so did Obomanu, his head bent in disbelief.
From the Ole Miss sidelines, Rebels head coach David Cutcliffe had a hard time seeing the play. He had an equally hard time describing his thoughts after Obomanu's gaffe helped his team stay undefeated in Southeastern Conference play.
Moments earlier, Obomanu who had six catches for 150 yards was the hero of the day for the Tigers. After his short catch near midfield and a long run into Ole Miss territory, Auburn enjoyed first and goal at the Rebels' 10 with just under a minute remaining. A five-yard pass and a two-yard run later, the Tigers had two chances to gain just three yards.
On third down, the Tigers executed almost perfectly. Auburn quarterback Jason Campbell rolled right, and Ole Miss defenders swarmed to him, leaving Obomanu wide open.
Perfect play. Perfect pass. Incomplete.
Manning said he saw the drop, but did not immediately realize what had occurred.
After the improbable error, Cutcliffe thought perhaps his team was destined to win the game.
And the Rebels did. On fourth down, the Tigers called the same play. Campbell rolled right, this time throwing to Jeris McIntyre in the end zone.
This time, though, the Auburn receiver was covered by three Ole Miss defenders. Defensive back Eric Oliver tipped the ball away, and the Rebels reclaimed possession. One snap of the ball later, the clock ran out and Ole Miss won 24-20.
Manning conceded that the close win may not silence the Rebels' critics, despite the team's 8-2 record and 6-0 mark in Southeastern Conference games.