OXFORD – It might have taken a bit for the passing game to crank up Saturday night, but tailback Brandon Bolden was in overdrive from the get-go.

The sophomore from Baton Rouge ran for 105 yards on 13 carries, averaging 8.1 yards per attempt.

Bolden has clearly emerged as the Rebels’ top rusher.

“I’m not worried about having a feature back,” Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt said. “I'm worried about winning. Brandon is No. 1, and we're going to play the guys that help us win games.”

It was the second straight strong performance for Bolden, who averaged 7.9 yards a carry in the season-opening win at Memphis on Sept. 6.

Bolden gained no yards on three attempts in the second half.

Special teams woes

- Punter Justin Sparks, who survived an August battle with freshman Tyler Campbell to win the job, averaged just 28.4 yards on five punts with a low effort of 11 yards.

In addition to Sparks, punt returner Marshay Green had two fumbles, both of which were recovered by the Lions.

“I'm disappointed in the punt return game. It will keep us up tonight,” Nutt said.

Only one of Green's fumbles led to points, a 32-yard field goal for the Lions in the fourth quarter.

Green finished with two punt returns for minus-5 yards.

Injuries

- Free safety Kendrick Lewis sustained a bruised shoulder, and fullback Andy Hartmann sustained a knee injury during the game.

The extent of Hartmann's injury is unknown, but Nutt said he expect him to be out at least two weeks.

End Greg Hardy and tight end Gerald Harris did not play in the game. Their availability for Thursday night at South Carolina is unclear at this time.

Freshmen show out

- The Rebels reached the 50-point mark on the backs of two freshmen. Jesse Grandy, being groomed as a possible factor in the Wild Rebel formation, scored on a 46-yard reverse.

Linebacker D.T. Shackelford closed the scoring with a 58-yard interception return with 4:50 left in the game.

“I wouldn't have gotten that without the pressure we were getting up front. We're all teammates out there. I was just in position. It floated right to me. I couldn't miss it,” said Shackelford, who had two fumble recoveries and three tackles.

Key drive

- Snead led an eight-play, 81-yard march that culminated with his 4-yard touchdown pass to Shay Hodge for a 24-0 lead with 2:13 left in the first half. Snead was 2-for-4 on the drive, his first miss being a throw-away under pressure.

Quotable

- “This is big. It's the first time we've been 2-0 since we've been here. On the defensive line we had some guys step up, and everybody played their role. I think we did well. I think we did great as a matter of fact.” – Ole Miss defensive end Kentrell Lockett.

Next weekend

- It's a short week for the Rebels, who travel to Columbia, S.C., for a Thursday night ESPN appearance against the Gamecocks.

Rebel Ramblings

- The Ole Miss defense is allowing 11.2 points a game over its last five games. … The Rebels have returned an interception for a touchdown in three straight games. … Amory native Chris Wilson had two catches for 12 yards for SLU. … SLU defensive back Brian Reynolds, a Tupelo native, had three tackles.