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Nov. 2, 2014

OXFORD, Miss. (AP) Cassanova McKinzy won the scramble for the ball and Auburn emerged from a playoff pileup to survive and advance.

McKinzy recovered a fumble in the end zone to preserve the fourth-ranked Tigers' 35-31 victory over No. 7 Mississippi on Saturday night in what amounted to the first College Football Playoff knockout game.

That roller-coaster play proved to be the decisive blow.

''This was a playoff game,'' said Auburn linebacker Kris Frost, who forced the last fumble. ''But from here on in, every game is a playoff game. They just get bigger and bigger.''

The Tigers (7-1, 4-1 Southeastern Conference, No. 3 CFP) got a reprieve after Rebels receiver Laquon Treadwell lost the ball at the end of a tackle-breaking catch-and-run to the end zone with 1:30 left. It was ruled a touchdown, but the replay official determined he lost the ball before crossing the goal line.

Treadwell sustained a season-ending left leg injury on the play, with Ole Miss spokesman Kyle Campbell saying the receiver had surgery late Saturday night after breaking his fibula and dislocating his ankle.

McKinzy dove the fumble, deflating the Ole Miss crowd enjoying team's best start since 1990. The Rebels (7-2, 4-2, No. 4 CFP) have lost two straight.

''It's just a really, really sickening way to lose,'' coach Hugh Freeze said.

Auburn milked a minute off the clock before Ole Miss got the ball back at its 49 with 26 seconds left and no timeouts. Bo Wallace, who had fumbled at Auburn's 6 on the previous drive, threw three straight incompletions before a final desperation play went nowhere.

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No. 4 Auburn holds off No. 7 Rebels, 35-31