STARKVILLE, Miss. — Cameron Newton put on another impressive show Thursday night, this time against a Southeastern Conference defense in No. 21 Auburn’s 17-14 victory over Mississippi State.
Newton, a 6-foot-6, 250-pound junior, threw for two touchdowns and accounted for 206 yards of total offense, mixing passes with his ability to run over and around the Mississippi State defense.
“You sign up to play college football to play in games like this,” Newton said.
He compeleted 11-of-19 passes for 136 yards, the two touchdowns and one interception and also ran for 70 yards on 18 carries in the SEC opener for both teams.
Newton outgained Mississippi State 146-125 all by himself in the first half. But after leading 17-7 at halftime, the Tigers (2-0) had to lean on their defense to pull out the hard-fought victory.
“We started off on fire,” Newton said. “But we put our defense in some binds, I’m not going to lie. It’s just a sign of a good team — our defense stepped up and did what they had to do.”
Mississippi State’s last drive ended at the Auburn 40 when Chris Relf’s fourth-down pass fell incomplete with 22 seconds remaining.
South Carolina receives word of NCAA probe
COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina received formal notification the NCAA is investigating its football program.
The letter of inquiry doesn’t specify any potential violations, but could signal weeks or months of uncertainty for the team.
The NCAA has questioned Gamecocks tight end Weslye Saunders about an agent-hosted party in Miami. Saunders and starting left tackle Jarriel King were among several players asked to move out of a Columbia hotel after questions were raised over unpaid bills and the rates the players were being charged.
“Should hear something (today), but it could be Saturday morning,” coach Steve Spurrier said.
Miami loses four players
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Defensive tackle Jeremy Lewis and three other Miami players were ruled out for the season because of injuries.
Lewis hurt his lower right leg early in No. 12 Miami’s 45-0 victory over Florida A&M last week.
The Hurricanes also listed fullback John Calhoun, running back Darion Hall and linebacker Travis Williams as out for the year because of undisclosed surgeries.
Defensive lineman Luther Robinson and linebacker Kevin Nelson are listed as out for Saturday’s game against No. 2 Ohio State.
Running back Graig Cooper is listed as doubtful, although it’s likely he will also miss this weekend’s game against the Buckeyes.
Rebels dismiss lineman
OXFORD, Miss. — Mississippi offensive lineman Rishaw Johnson has been kicked off the team after a “violation of team rules,” coach Houston Nutt said.
Nutt says sophomore Josh Tatum would start in Johnson’s place during Saturday’s game against Tulane.
The Associated Press
