GAINESVILLE, Fla., Oct. 4 (UPI) -- Vashon Pearson scored on a one-yard touchdown run with 70 seconds left Saturday afternoon as Mississippi upset No. 24 Florida, 20-17.
In the game-winning drive, quarterback Eli Manning completed two key passes to set up the touchdown run, and Florida quarterback Chris Leak was three times as the Gators lost at home to an unranked opponent for the first time in 14 years.
Pearson's touchdown capped an eight-play, 50-yard drive that included passes of 19 and 12 yards from Manning to Chris Collins. Manning completed 17-of-29 passes for 262 yards, including a 58-yard pass to Bill Flowers late in the third quarter that set up a 23-yard field goal by Jonathan Nichols that cut the lead to 17-13.
For Florida, which fell to 3-3, 1-2 in the SEC, Leak completed 14-of-27 passes for 234 yards and two scores.
Mississippi (3-2, 2-0 SEC) picked off Rex Grossman four times in a 17-14 win over Florida last season.
