The Ole Miss program may be troubled, thanks to nearly two dozen alleged recruiting violations and a self-imposed ban on the postseason, but it’s a typical SEC team with superior athletes and a certain swagger.

Matt Anderson connected on a pair of second-half field goals and linebacker Cameron Goode intercepted a Patterson pass with three minutes remaining, storming 31 tough yards for a game-clinching Touchdown.

And the Bears have a remarkable story in running back Patrick Laird, a walk-on who only got his scholarship last month and, in the absence of injured Tre Watson, carries huge responsibility in the offense.

The numbers weren’t overwhelming — 78 yards on 22 carries — but when Laird scored on a 13-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, he steamed into a head-on collision with defensive back Julius Jalen at the goal line.

San Diego State quarterback Christian Chapman threw an 8-yards touchdown pass to tight end David Wells with 54 seconds left to give the Aztecs (3-0) a 20-17 win.