Alabama's late stand stops Ole Miss 24-20

[October 20, 2008]  TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) -- John Parker Wilson threw for a season-high 219 yards and a pair of touchdowns and No. 2 Alabama made a late defensive stand to hold off Mississippi for a 24-20 victory Saturday.

The Crimson Tide stopped the Rebels on fourth-and-5 from its 43-yard line in the final minute, when Jevan Snead's pass to Dexter McCluster fell incomplete. He was well covered by Javier Arenas.

Alabama (7-0, 4-0 Southeastern Conference) scored 24 consecutive points after falling behind for the first time, 3-0, and allowing its first points in an opening quarter. Then Ole Miss answered 17 straight points and closed to within 24-20 on Joshua Shene's 35-yard field goal with 6:09 left.

[Associated Press; By JOHN ZENOR]

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