In Overtime, Deuce Is Wild Card as Mississippi Beats UNLV, 43-40

OXFORD, Miss. — An injured Deuce McAllister entered the game in overtime and scored the winning touchdown on a one-yard run Saturday as Mississippi edged Nevada Las Vegas, 43-40.

McAllister, who was not expected to play because of a sprained ankle, gained first downs on two third-down plays to keep the overtime drive alive for Mississippi (5-2).

It was Mississippi’s 22nd consecutive victory against a nonconference opponent.

UNLV (4-4) never led in regulation, but scored 30 points in the second half to force overtime. A 14-play, 99-yard drive that started with 5:02 to play ended with Jeremi Rudolph’s 17-yard touchdown run to make it 37-35. Kevin Brown scored the two-point conversion to send the game to overtime.

Mississippi led, 23-7, at halftime.

Quarterback Romaro Miller completed 18 of 29 passes for 288 yards and three touchdowns, including a 65-yard touchdown pass to Grant Heard in the third quarter to put Mississippi up, 30-15.

Mississippi finished the game with 452 all-purpose yards.

But UNLV got back into the game with a running game ranked 13th in the nation. James Wofford had 10 carries for 139 yards, including a 41-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter to make it 30-22. UNLV had 25 first downs and 471 total yards--378 rushing.

UNLV quarterback Jason Thomas ran for two touchdowns but completed only seven of 25 passes for 93 yards with two interceptions.