This pretty well sums up your first half. Punt, three-and-out, punt, three-and-out, punt …

You get the idea. Boring game so far, although Ole Miss is showing some signs of life after Cordera Eason broke a 28-yard run into Auburn territory. Of course, that excitement was immediately tempered by a 15-yard clipping penalty on the next play.

Sure enough, Jerraud Powers (hamstring) did not dress. D’Antoine Hood started in his place. Since the Auburn depth chart only goes two deep, we’re trying to figure out who would be next in the game at cornerback with Powers and Neiko Thorpe (ankle) out. Auburn answered our question when Mike Slade, a redshirt freshman from Tallahassee, Fla., went in the game on the nickel. Harry Adams, another true freshman, has also gotten on the field as a corner.

This team just can’t avoid the injury bug. In the first quarter alone, WR Rod Smith, DE Antonio Coleman and CB Walter McFadden went down. Not sure what specifically either injury was, but they were stretching out Smith’s left leg on the sideline. Coleman walked off the field on his own power and later returned. McFadden looked like he got his ankle rolled over. He was back after one play on the sideline. That gasp you heard was Auburn fans exhaling a sigh of relief.

Mike Blanc started at nose guard for Tez Doolittle (groin).

Mike Berry started at right guard for Byron Isom, who is in uniform.

Welcome back, Antoine Carter. The defensive end had a sack and a pressure on Ole Miss’ third drive. He’s been out the last two weeks with an ankle injury.

First quarter offense: Auburn 28 yards, Ole Miss 68. Ugh.