Dale’s SidelineView

Quarterback Jack Abraham led Southern Mississippi to their first win in Conference USA play this past Saturday as the Golden Eagles downed UTEP, 31-13. USM bolted out to an early two-touchdown lead as Abraham hit on 19-of-28 passes for 351 yards and three touchdowns. The USM offense was 9-of-13 on third downs while the USM defense stalled the Miners offense as the visitors were only 4-of-13 on third down.  The Eagles (3-2, 1-0) will have two weeks to prepare for the Mean Green of North Texas (2-3, 1-0) at M.M. Roberts Stadium. 

Mississippi State’s football team self destructed before the nation Saturday night at Auburn in losing, 56-23. The Bulldogs (3-2, 1-1) fumbled a couple away a possible touchdowns, dropped a sure TD pass, and were called for a delay of game on their first offensive play of the game. Auburn‘s offense had their way whether it was rushing the ball, throwing short, intermittent passes or deep bombs.  Auburn’s defense held the Bulldogs’ rushing game in check. The good thing about this game is that the Dawgs can put it in the rear view mirror and move on. 

The future of Ole Miss football lies in the names of John Rhys Plumlee, Grant Tisdale and Matt Corral. They will lead the likes of Jadon Jackson, Jonathan Mingo, Jerrion Ealy and Snoop Connor to name a few. The Rebels offense scored four touchdowns Saturday in their 59-31 loss, and Jackson, Ealy, Mingo and Plumlee scored those. Now for the Rebel defense. They have to improve as they were exposed everywhere as Alabama. The Rebels need to win this week at home against Vandy to move forward. 

In other state college football, Jackson State (1-3) fell to Kentucky State, 33-25, in a game played in Indianapolis at the home of the Colts. Finally, after playing in Atlanta, Mobile, Memphis and Indianapolis, JSU will be at home this week to host rival Grambling. Alcorn (2-3, 2-0) defeated winless Mississippi Valley, 46-19; Belhaven (1-3) won their first game, 46-18, over winless McMurry as Felix Harper tossed six touchdowns; Millsaps (3-1) fell for the first time 31-14, to Berry College; Mississippi College (2-2, 1-1) lost in overtime to West Florida, 27-21 and Delta State (3-1, 2-0) won over North Greenville, 34-9. 

Major League Baseball 

This week the Major League playoffs will begin. The Atlanta Braves will host the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday while the winner of the National League playoff game on Wednesday between the Washington Nationals and the Milwaukee Brewers will head to LA for a five-game series.  The Oakland A’s will host Tampa Ray in a one-game playoff on Wednesday night with the winner heading to Houston on Friday. The Houston Astros have home field secured throughout the World Series. The New York Yankees and the Minnesota Twins will also meet in  the Big Apple on Friday in the other American League series. 

Odds & Ends 

The New Orleans Saints (3-1) did not score a touchdown in a home game for the first time since Sean Payton took the reins as head coach. It did not matter as they kicked four field goals in upsetting the Dallas Cowboys, 12-10, Sunday night. 

The NFL is down to only three unbeaten teams after four weeks of play. The Kansas City Chiefs and the New England Patriots are both 4-0 while the San Francisco 49ers are 3-0. 

The legend grows for Mississippi native Gardner Minshew. He threw two touchdown passes in leading Jacksonville to a 26-24 win over Denver in the Mile High City. He drove his team 60 yards in the final 92 seconds to set up the winning field goal. 

Former East Central CC baseball player Tim Anderson won the American League batting title with an MLB best .335 average.         

Former Laurel Tornado Omar Bayless is leading the NCAA in receiving at Arkansas State. Bayless caught 10 passes for 213 yards including a 92-yard touchdown in a 50-43 win over Troy On the year, he has 36 catches for 689 yards and seven touchdowns. 

Dale has been writing sports in Mississippi since 1973. He is a native of Waynesboro.