After blistering Southeastern Conference defenses the last two weeks on the ground, Cam Newton went to the air to guide Auburn to a 51-31 victory over Ole Miss on Saturday night.

Auburn's junior quarterback, who is arguably the leading Heisman Trophy candidate, completed 18 of 24 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from Kodi Burns in the first quarter.

The Rebels (3-5, 1-4 SEC) struck first when Jeff Scott scored on an 83-yard run on the first play from scrimmage. The game was tied 14-14 after one quarter, but Auburn (9-0, 6-0 SEC), which is No. 1 in the BCS, took control in the second quarter, and led 44-17 after three quarters.

Freshman Michael Dyer (181 yards, one touchdown, 21 carries) and sophomore Onterio McCalebb (103 yards, one touchdown, nine carries) shouldered the load for the Auburn running game, which topped 300 yards for the fifth straight game against SEC competition. Newton, who rushed for more than 400 yards in the two previous games, ran 11 times for 46 yards.

The Tigers got special teams contributions from Wes Byrum (three field goals), and a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown from Demond Washington late in the second quarter.

Jeremiah Masoli completed 20 of 33 passes for 190 yards and a touchdown for Ole Miss, which scored twice in the fourth quarter. Scott finished with 134 yards on nine carries, and Brandon Bolden rushed for two scores for the Rebels.

Both teams step out of conference next week. Auburn plays host to Chattanooga; Louisiana-Lafayette will visit Ole Miss.