TUSCALOOSA -- Two potential 2014 NFL Draft picks spent some time head-to-head in Alabama's home game against Ole Miss on Saturday, when Rebels junior wide receiver Donte Moncrief squared off with Crimson Tide senior cornerback Deion Belue. Moncrief said at SEC Media Days that he will consider whether to turn pro early after the season. As it turned out, the two spent most of the day matched up on different players. Nevertheless, here is a close look at how each played:
First Quarter
Moncrief opened the game working against freshman cornerback Eddie Jackson rather than Belue on the Rebels' first series. ... Belue played on the right side and made a nice third-down play on an incompletion intended for Vince Sanders to force a punt on Ole Miss' second series. ... Moncrief made his first big play for a gain of 26 yards, finding a wide-open space in a busted coverage by Jackson.*
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Second Quarter
Once again with Jackson defending Moncrief, Belue was solid in coverage in giving up a short slant completion to Ja-Mes Logan. A play later, Moncrief picked up 9 yards on a hitch pass with Jackson playing off. ... Belue continued drawing a far easier assignment than Jackson on Ole Miss' next series, matching up with Logan while Moncrief caught another first-down pass on an out route in front of Jackson.
Third Quarter
Ole Miss could not get the ball to Moncrief on its opening series of the second half. Once again, Belue drew duty on the opposite site of the field. ... Moncrief followed on Ole Miss' next series with an 11-yard catch for a first down, again against Jackson.
Fourth Quarter
Belue came up big in breaking up a fourth-down pass intended for Evan Engram deep in Alabama territory. Belue had coverage on running back Jeff Scott, who was split out wide in the formation, but when Ole Miss quarterback Bo Wallace targeted Engram on a deeper route to the same side, Belue backpedaled and got a hand on the pass for the breakup. ... Moncrief had an easy drop on a deep post route on a well-thrown ball by Wallace. The pass hit Moncrief in the chest, and he appeared to have control when Jackson knocked it loose from behind, but officials ruled it incomplete.
Recap
It couldn't have been a quieter day for Belue, who spent almost every snap matched up on a receiver who wasn't targeted often. Ja'Mes Logan made two grabs for 22 yards on Belue, whose fourth-quarter pass breakup to preserve a shutout was his only real highlight. Belue finished with one solo stop. ... Moncrief pulled in six catches for 60 yards, although he could have had a near 100-yard day had he hung onto his drop on the deep post. Moncrief has yet to have a huge game this season, which is*surprising, given his talent and the Rebels' fast-paced offense that should provide plenty of opportunities.
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Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter @ChaseGoodbread.
