Ole Miss again took off in the first half, but again left a Saturday disappointed. The Rebels settled for three field goals in the second quarter and managed only a touchdown in the second half, losing 40-29 to No. 15 Auburn.

The defense was bad again, spoiling a career night for QB Chad Kelly and sending the Rebels to 3-5, 1-4 in the SEC.

5 TAKEAWAYS

Too young at tackle: The Rebels started a pair of freshmen at offensive tackle, true freshman Greg Little at left and redshirt freshman Alex Givens at right. Givens had a flinch on 1st-and-goal on the opening drive.

To Engram early: Tight end Evan Engram had a key touchdown drop late in the game, but he was also a reason the Rebels were still in it at that point. After only three catches the week before at LSU, he had two early catches, his third a TD down the middle. He had 4 catches for 33 yards on that opening drive and 9 for 95 for the game.

Linebacker issues: With second-leading tackler at linebacker, Terry Caldwell, indefinitely suspended, freshman Willie Hibbler and junior Taylor Polk started. Hibbler, a converted tight end, struggled early and often, a microcosm of Ole Miss’ issues at the position.

Good on good: Ole Miss entered No. 1 in the SEC in offensive efficiency at 73 percent. Auburn was second in defensive efficiency at 36 percent. The Rebels scored one touchdown in the second half.

One turnover made a difference: Kelly’s pick that led to a touchdown in the fourth quarter looms large. Except that, the teams combined for only that turnover and 10 penalties for 65 yards.

REPORT CARD

Offense: B – Kelly was incredible, breaking Archie Manning’s single-game record with 465 passing yards. He efficiently completed 36-of-59 passes. The interception was a killer, but so was the defense that didn’t aid his efforts. Settling for three field goals in the second quarter hurt, especially when they came from the 3 and 9-yard lines.

Defense: F – No turnovers and looked bad while not turning it over. When Auburn took a 27-22 lead, the Rebels had no idea where Marcus Davis was on a 33-yard gain and looked lost switching its look on Jalen Harris’ 15-yard touchdown catch. Auburn rushed for 307 yards.

Special teams: B – Gary Wunderlich did his part with three field goals, one from 49 yards. Carlos Davis had three kick returns for 83 yards. That missed extra point in the first quarter can’t happen.

Coaching: C – The staff has major challenges at the moment with injuries, youth and a downward-spiraling season. But when Kelly has a hand as hot as he had, leave Jason Pellerin on the sideline and let Kelly work. The cute call cost Ole Miss points in the third quarter. Freeze knew field goals wouldn’t win it, but he also knew the makeshift offensive line he was playing with, including two centers. As a result, Pellerin was stopped on 4th-and-1 from the 3-yard line.

Overall: C – Hot start, slow finish again. Ole Miss cannot finish. The defense is terrible. The offense can’t be asked to do enough to make up for it.

GAME PLAN

That was again accomplished. Set your tempo and use your strength – the passing game. Eight players had at least three catches, and Kelly was a bull. But the defense couldn’t keep Kamryn Pettway under 200 yards, and the offense couldn’t finish enough drives behind a non-existent running game.

GAME BALLS

QB Chad Kelly: Set a single-game Ole Miss record with 465 passing yards and threw for 3 touchdowns on 61 percent passing.

TE Evan Engram: Missed a touchdown catch that could have made the difference, but credit his 9 catches for 95 yards for having Ole Miss in reach in the first place.

K Gary Wunderlich: Made all three field goal attempts and had a booming 49-yard punt when it was finally needed. The missed PAT came at the expense of a bullish Auburn front.