Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) passes against Arkansas during the first half of their NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Oxford, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
The Associated Press
OXFORD, Miss. (AP) - Matt Corral threw for 246 yards, including a pair of touchdown passes to Elijah Moore, and Mississippi defeated Arkansas 31-17 in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams Saturday night.
Corral finished 16-of-24 passing, with Moore accounting for scoring receptions of 2 and 46 yards, as the Rebels (1-1, 1-0) rolled up 483 yards of offense. Scottie Phillips added scoring runs of 1 and 26 yards and finished with a game-high 143 yards rushing. The defense had 13 tackles for loss, including three sacks, led by Jacquez Jones with nine tackles.
"I thought Corral was good. He looked much more comfortable this week," Ole Miss coach Matt Luke said. "It was great to see Elijah make plays, too. This is an important win for us. We played our hearts out tonight."
Arkansas (1-1, 0-1) stayed within striking distance at 17-10 in the third quarter on a 69-yard fumble return for a touchdown from Kamren Curl. Quarterback Nick Starkel, who replaced Ben Hicks in the second half, had a 6-yard touchdown pass to Koilan Jackson in the final two minutes.
"It's hard to win in the SEC on the road. It's really hard when you make as many mistakes as we did tonight," Arkansas coach Chad Morris said. "It's frustrating to walk back in that locker room. Now, it's about a response."
THE TAKEAWAY
Arkansas: It was a disappointing continuation of SEC woes. The Razorbacks have lost 12 consecutive conference games and are 1-17 since November, 2016, the final season under former coach Bret Bielema. The defense, highlighted by Curl's brilliant individual play, wore out in the final quarter. The offense took a huge step backward and had only one trip to the red zone while the issue was in doubt, capped by a 36-yard field goal by Connor Limpert.
Ole Miss: After closing last season with five consecutive SEC losses, winning the league opener was crucial. A roster filled with newcomers and underclassmen, along with two new coordinators - Rich Rodriguez on offense and Mike MacIntyre on defense - appears to be meshing as coach Matt Luke predicted. The new-look units may not be ready to challenge the SEC heavyweights yet, but the encouraging conference win indicates the Rebels are trending up in a drive for bowl eligibility.
UP NEXT
Arkansas: The Razorbacks play the next three games at home, beginning with Colorado State on Saturday.
Ole Miss: The Rebels host Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday in the second game of a three-game home stand.
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Mississippi running back Scottie Phillips (22) dives next to Arkansas defensive back Joe Foucha (7) during the second half of their NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Oxford, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
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Mississippi running back Scottie Phillips (22) dives over Arkansas defensive back Joe Foucha for short yards during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Oxford, Miss. Mississippi won 31-17. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
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Mississippi running back Scottie Phillips (22) holds out his arm as he scores on a one-yard touchdown run past a fallen Arkansas defender during the second half of their NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Oxford, Miss. Mississippi won 31-17. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
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Mississippi wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) runs past Arkansas defenders on his way to a touchdown reception during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Oxford, Miss. Mississippi won 31-17. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
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Mississippi wide receiver Elijah Moore looks for Arkansas defenders on his way to a touchdown after a reception during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Oxford, Miss. Mississippi won 31-17. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
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Mississippi running back Scottie Phillips (22) laughs as he runs past Arkansas defenders on his way to a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Oxford, Miss. Mississippi won 31-17. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
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Mississippi running back Scottie Phillips (22) celebrates his fourth-quarter touchdown against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Oxford, Miss. (Bruce Newman/The Oxford Eagle via AP)
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Mississippi running back Scottie Phillips (22) celebrates his touchdown run against Arkansas during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Oxford, Miss. Mississippi won 31-17. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
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Mississippi tight end Octavious Cooley (15) avoids Arkansas defensive back Joe Foucha (7) and Arkansas defensive lineman Gabe Richardson (6) during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Oxford, Miss. (Bruce Newman/The Oxford Eagle via AP)
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Mississippi running back Scottie Phillips (22) pulls away from Arkansas defensive back Joe Foucha (7) during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Oxford, Miss. (Bruce Newman/The Oxford Eagle via AP)
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Arkansas wide receiver Shamar Nash (4) is tackled by Mississippi defensive end Ryder Anderson (89) during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Oxford, Miss. (Bruce Newman/The Oxford Eagle via AP)
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Mississippi linebacker Luke Knox (16) celebrates a fumble recovery against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Oxford, Miss. (Bruce Newman/The Oxford Eagle via AP)
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Mississippi running back Snoop Conner (24) is hit by Arkansas defensive back Joe Foucha (7) during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Oxford, Miss. (Bruce Newman/The Oxford Eagle via AP)
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Mississippi wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) escapes Arkansas linebacker De'Jon Harris (8) to score during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Oxford, Miss. (Bruce Newman/The Oxford Eagle via AP)
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Mississippi defense tackles Arkansas running back Rakeem Boyd (5) is tackled behind the line of scrimmage during the first half of their NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Oxford, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
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Arkansas wide receiver Trey Knox (7) tries to catch a pass as he is pressured by Mississippi defensive back Keidron Smith (20) during the first half of their NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Oxford, Miss. The pass was knocked away by another Mississippi defender. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
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Mississippi wide receiver Dontario Drummond (11) catches a pass against Arkansas during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Oxford, Miss. (Bruce Newman/The Oxford Eagle via AP)
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Mississippi wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) is tackled by Arkansas defensive back Greg Brooks Jr. (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Oxford, Miss. (Bruce Newman/The Oxford Eagle via AP)
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Mississippi running back Jerrion Ealy (9) is tackled by Arkansas defensive backs Joe Foucha (7) and Jarques McClellion (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Oxford, Miss. (Bruce Newman/The Oxford Eagle via AP)
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