Time: 2:32 remaining, first quarter

The situation: Texas Tech led, 14-0. Ole Miss has a first-and-10 from the Tech 40.

After losing a fumble and having an interception returned for a touchdown, the Rebels were in danger of being knocked out of the game.

Lining up in the Wild Rebel formation, running back Dexter McCluster took the snap and handed off to running back Brandon Bolden, who pitched it back to quarterback Jevan Snead.

Snead passed deep, going over Tech safety Darcel McBath for a 29-yard completion to Markeith Summers at Tech's 11.

Snead connected with tight end Gerald Harris for a touchdown two plays later, keeping the Rebels in the game.

Time: 12:12 remaining, third quarter

The situation: Ole Miss led, 24-21. Tech faced second-and-10 from the Ole Miss 45.

The Red Raiders could have grabbed the lead back from the Rebels on the opening drive of the second half. They moved the ball, but then quarterback Graham Harrell's pass to the right sideline was intercepted by junior cornerback Marshay Green. It was Green who had missed the chance to wrap up Tech's Edward Britton before the goal line on Tech's opening score of the game.

Harrell's pass was intended for star receiver Michael Crabtree, whose feet fell out from under him as he went for the ball.

Green returned the pick 65 yards for a touchdown and a 31-21 Ole Miss lead.

"I had Crabtree lined up in front of me, and that's a big-time challenge because Crabtree is a big-time player," Green said. "He was trying to run a curl, and I think he slipped down, and that's when I broke on the ball."

Time: 11:35 remaining, third quarter

The situation: With Ole Miss up, 31-21, Tech went three and out, stalling on its own 25.

Tech's Jonathan LaCour punted 38 yards to the Ole Miss 37. Marshay Green – less than a minute removed from his 65-yard interception return for a touchdown – broke away on the return, scooting up the left sideline. Green stepped on the sideline twice, but the return was initially ruled a 63-yard touchdown. The play was reviewed and overturned, with the officials placing the ball at Tech's "9 and two-thirds yard line."

Still, Ole Miss had Tech reeling.

"I was just trying to get in the end zone, and I really thank my teammates for blocking for me," Green said.

Tech coach Mike Leach called a timeout to bark at the Red Raiders.

Tech forced a 30-yard field goal attempt, which missed wide right, giving the Red Raiders hope for a comeback. For a while.

Time: 8:03 remaining, third quarter

The situation: Tech faced a fourth down from its own 37, trailing, 31-21.

Stunning and confounding in real time, Tech quarterback Graham Harrell tried a keeper with 4 yards to go for the first down. He didn't get it, turning the ball over to Ole Miss on downs. The Rebels took over on the Red Raiders' 40. Three plays later, they were in the end zone again, taking a 38-21 lead.

Turns out, it wasn't a case of coach Mike Leach taking another fourth-down gamble.

"We weren't on the same page," Leach said of Harrell. "It's not one where either of us are proud, I guarantee you."

Leach wanted to try to draw the Rebels offside and said he should have communicated better.

"It was a very bonehead play," Leach said.

Time: 10:08 remaining, fourth quarter

The situation: Ole Miss led, 38-28, and had just lost a fumble at the Texas Tech 2.

Tech quarterback Graham Harrell dropped back in the middle of the end zone looking to pass, but Rebel linebacker Patrick Trahan got to him for a sack and a safety, sending the ball spiraling out the back of the end zone.

"We just wanted to come out there and get the ball back for our offense," Trahan said. "I was man-to-man with the tight end and he blocked out. ... I guess the tackle was supposed to block me out. He didn't, and I just went for it."

The safety crippled Tech's comeback hopes, boosting Ole Miss' lead to 40-28 and giving the Rebels the ball back. Mike Wallace returned the kickoff 35 yards to the Tech 48, setting up another touchdown drive for Ole Miss.