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Ole Miss

WATCH: AJ Finley lays out for one-handed interception, sets up Ole Miss touchdown

On3-Social-Profile_GRAYby: On3 Staff Report10/15/22
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Ole Miss safety AJ Finley celebrates with teammates during a game on Oct. 1, 2022. (Justin Ford / Getty Images)

Auburn quarterback Robby Ashford‘s struggles continue, with the Tigers trying to snap a two-game losing skid on Saturday at Ole Miss. One of Ashford’s first throws was a turnover, following a fantastic one-handed diving snag by Rebels defender AJ Finley for an interception.

The Rebels would turn the interception into points just two plays later when quarterback Jaxson Dart found receiver Dayton Wade deep down the field for a 35-yard touchdown pass to give Ole Miss a 7-0 lead.

But the setup was all Finley.

Ole Miss set up the interception when defensive end Tavius Robinson and safety Ladarrius Tennison got pressure off Auburn’s left side. Ashford tried to throw a quick screen at the blitz, but his pass sailed a bit as he drifted backward.

Running back Tank Bigsby couldn’t wheel to make the catch in time, tipping it up with his left hand.

Finely came off his defender and made a diving, one-handed interception, getting his hand underneath the ball to cradle it before going to the turf.

AJ Finley interception starts the party for Ole Miss

Finley’s play started the momentum rolling in Ole Miss’ favor, but it didn’t take long for the Rebels to keep it going and start snowballing it.

After Dart’s 35-yard touchdown strike to Wade with 6:42 left in the first quarter to give the Rebels the 7-0 lead, Ole Miss quickly doubled its lead later in the quarter. Auburn went three-and-out on the drive immediately following the first Ole Miss touchdown.

The Rebels’ offense quickly went back to work. Dart capped a nine-play, 65-yard drive with a 23-yard pass to a wide open Zach Evans on the right side for a second touchdown pass, putting the Rebels up 14-0 at the 2:43 mark in the first quarter.

Auburn coach Bryan Harsin then made a change at quarterback, benching Ashford in favor of TJ Finley. Finley promptly went three-and-out, taking a sack and fumbling the ball away on third down on his first drive.

Ole Miss led 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.