Lm Otero / AP

Mississippi running back Dexter McCluster, finds a opening on his way to an 86-yard touchdown in the Cotton Bowl on Saturday.

Oklahoma State tied the game at 7-7 midway through the third quarter when running back Keith Toston took a direct snap on third-and-goal from the 1. He made a step toward the line, then stopped and threw a jump pass to Wilson Youman for a touchdown.

Ole Miss made it to the 3 after Lewis’ first interception. But after a penalty, two sacks of Snead and an incomplete pass, Joshua Shene was wide left on a 38-yard field goal try.

Shene, who missed only three kicks in the regular season, hit the left upright on a 41-yard attempt in the third quarter after a 63-yard punt return by Marshay Green set the Rebels up at the 13.

At the Rebels 19 after the second miss, Robinson thought he had a free play when there was no whistle despite an Ole Miss defender already over the line after a Cowboys lineman might have moved before the snap. But there was no flag, and Lewis picked it off in the end zone with 8:44 left.

“It definitely kind of took something out of us,” Robinson said.

On third-and-goal from just outside the 1 in the first quarter, Ole Miss’ 330-pound defensive tackle Jerrell Powe lined up at fullback like he had done several times this season. Powe got his first carry, but was stuffed just short by linebacker Donald Booker. The Rebels lined up and tried again with the same result, with Booker stopping Powe.

“I can honestly say I’ve never tackled anybody that heavy,” Booker said.

Powe got payback in the third quarter when Oklahoma State tried to score on fourth-and-goal from the 1. Powe wrapped up Toston’s legs behind the line before Lewis hit him high to stop him short.

“I find it very ironic,” Nutt said. “I thought for sure (Powe) could get six inches. I’ve been teasing him about it already.”

And lamenting what things will be like without McCluster.

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