OXFORD, Miss., Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Safety Matt Grier led an inspired defensive effort with two interceptions Saturday, returning the second one 24 yards for the winning score midway through the third quarter as the Mississippi Rebels stunned eighth-ranked Florida, 17-14.
Mississippi, 4-1 overall, is off to its first 2-0 start in conference play since 1970, the year current quarterback Eli Manning's father Archie was a senior for the Rebels. Mississippi tied Auburn atop the SEC West.
Florida (4-2, 2-1 SEC East) straightened out the special teams problems that plagued it last week against Kentucky. But the Gators sputtered on offense, especially in the second half.
Rex Grossman, who injured his left hand late in the second quarter, threw four interceptions. Florida's six third-quarter possessions resulted in two interceptions and four punts.
The Gators' hopes ended when safety Travis Blanchard intercepted Grossman at the Florida 48 with 2:55 left and the Rebels ran out the clock. When the time expired, the fans at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium stormed on the field.
By beating Florida, Manning accomplished what his brother Peyton never did at Tennessee. But he got plenty of help from Grier, whose interceptions helped the Rebels erase a 14-2 halftime deficit.
Florida used a goal-line stand and a 98-yard drive just before halftime to take a 12-point lead on Grossman's 19-yard touchdown pass to Carlos Perez with 13 seconds left.
But Grier intercepted Grossman on the first possession of the second half, setting up Vashon Pearson's four-yard touchdown run three plays later. A conversion pass to Jason Armstead made it 14-10 just 2:19 into the second half.
After an exchange of punts, Grier stepped in front of a pass in the flat and returned it the distance, giving Mississippi the lead with 7:34 left in the third quarter.
