OXFORD (AP) — Cassanova McKinzy recovered a fumble in the end zone to preserve No. 4 Auburn’s 35-31 victory over No. 7 Mississippi on Saturday night in what amounted to the first College Football Playoff knockout game.

The Tigers (7-1, 4-1 Southeastern Conference, No. 3 CFP) got a reprieve after Rebels receiver Laquon Treadwell lost the ball at the end of a tackle-breaking catch-and-run to the end zone with 1:30 left. It was ruled a touchdown, but the replay official determined he lost the ball before crossing the goal line.

McKinzy dove on it, deflating the Ole Miss crowd enjoying team’s best start since 1990. The Rebels (7-2, 4-2, No. 4 CFP) have lost two straight.

Auburn milked a minute off the clock before Ole Miss got the ball back at its 49 with 26 seconds left and no timeouts. Bo Wallace, who had fumbled at Auburn’s 6 on the previous drive, threw three straight incompletions before a final desperation play went nowhere.

The Tigers gained 507 yards against the nation’s top scoring defense, the only unit that hadn’t given up 20 points in a game coming into this SEC West clash. An Ole Miss offense held to seven points in a loss to No. 16 LSU matched them nearly yard for yard, gaining 492.

It was a compelling duel between two teams tangling for playoff shots, and two quarterbacks swapping big plays.

Marshall completed 15 of 22 passes for 254 yards with an interception that was Senquez Golson’s nation-leading ninth. Marshall ran and passed for two touchdowns. Cameron Artis-Payne turned in another workhorse game, gaining 143 yards on 27 punishing carries.

Wallace was 28-of-40 passing for 362 yards and two touchdowns. He had a 59-yard run and scored on a 3-yarder early in the fourth quarter for a 31-28 lead, but also lost a fumble at the Auburn 6 in the final minutes. Ole Miss had three receivers reach 100 yards: Evan Engram (123), Vince Sanders (105) and Treadwell (103).

Auburn answered with Artis-Payne’s 6-yard touchdown run with 10:23 left that proved the last points but didn’t conclude the drama.

The Tigers made a last-play interception in the end zone to preserve a 42-35 win over South Carolina last week.