Newton, No. 3 Auburn power past Ole Miss, 51-31

OXFORD, Miss. — Cam Newton caught a touchdown pass and threw two scoring passes, and Mike Dyer ran for 180 yards, helping No. 3 Auburn power past Mississippi 51-31 on Saturday night.

The Tigers (9-0, 6-0 Southeastern Conference), who are ranked atop the BCS standings for the first time, easily sidestepped the string of upsets that had struck No. 1 teams in each of the past three weeks.

The Rebels (3-4, 1-4) ended Newton's string of four straight 170-yard rushing efforts against SEC defenses, but the Heisman Trophy contender passed for 199. He also caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from receiver Kodi Burns.

Auburn scored on Demond Washington's 95-yard punt return, Onterio McCalebb's 68-yard touchdown run and Dyer's 30-yarder in a rare buffet of big plays not involving Newton.

It was the most points the Tigers have ever scored against Ole Miss, which has dropped three straight games.