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Devin Thomas, a seldom-used senior, ran for 81 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries, and senior Enrique Davis, the backup to starter Brandon Bolden, ran for 81 yards and two scores on five carries as the ground game showed out.
"It was the best we've run the ball this spring," offensive coordinator David Lee said.
The passing game was more erratic, as low completion percentages and turnovers were the theme of the day.
The defense produced two sacks by sophomore end Carlos Thompson and one each by end Cameron Whigham and linebacker Ralph Williams and forced four turnovers, three of them interceptions.
Linebacker D.T. Shackelford had three tackles and a fumble recovery, and the day's work ended on a 67-yard touchdown run with a pick-off by sophomore linebacker Clarence Jackson.
"I saw guys flying around and creating turnovers, which was very, very, very positive," defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix said. "That's something we didn't do very well a year ago. A big part of the game is eliminating big plays and creating turnovers."
Nix also praised the play of Jackson, who had three tackles.
Jackson was getting early playing time in 2010 until an arrest and suspension finished his season.
"I kept training real hard to make sure I stayed into it," Jackson said. "I've made a real big jump as far as adjusting to everything, being a better person on and off the field."
"I wish we'd have had him last year, but that's over with," Nix said. "He's getting better every day."
The passing game
Shackelford's fumble recovery came on Davis' last rushing attempt, a second-down play from the opponent's 5-yard line.
Lee said quarterback Randall Mackey gave up on the handoff too early.
Mackey finished the day 3 for 9 passing for 39 yards. Junior college transfer Zack Stoudt was 7 for 11 for 63 yards and a touchdown but also threw two interceptions.
Barry Brunetti was 2 for 4 passing for 49 yards and rushed two times for 6 yards.
Nathan Stanley was 1 for 6 for 57 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Afterward, Lee appeared no closer to naming a starter than he was last week and said the passing game is "lagging" in a number of areas.
The running game did not lag Saturday. Bolden and Jeff Scott both left the scrimmage with injuries, Bolden and ankle and Scott a shoulder. The extent of the injuries were not immediately known.
Davis scored on a 53-yard run when he got into the second level of the defense and broke to the left sideline. He later bulled over safety Frank Crawford on a 20-yard touchdown run.
Thomas scored on a 1-yard run, capping a 65-yard drive on which he also had a 31-yard rush.
Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt said there will be a "role" for Thomas.
"That makes me feel good," said Thomas, highly recruited prospect from the San Antonio, Texas area. "That's been my goal since I've been here, to have a role."
Contact Parrish Alford at 678-1600
or parrish.alford@journalinc.com.