MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Ticker) -- Les Binkley kicked a 40-yard field goal on his first career attempt with 7:47 to play, giving Mississippi a 3-0 victory over Memphis and making coach David Cutcliffe a winner in his regular-season debut.

Cutcliffe, who took over for Tommy Tuberville last December and guided the club to a 35-18 victory over Texas Tech in the Independence Bowl, watched his team struggle through the first three quarters before mounting the decisive drive in the fourth.

Cutcliffe became the first Mississippi coach to win his regular-season debut since Steve Sloan did it in 1978 with a 14-7 triumph over Memphis State. Prior to tonight's blanking, Ole Miss had not shut out an opponent since a 38-0 drubbing of Tuland on November 12, 1994.

Mississippi quarterback Romario Miller completed 11-of-24 passes for 87 yards, surpassing Charlie Conerly and Tim Ellis for ninth place on the school's all-time passing list with 2,387 yards.

Sophomore running back Joe Gunn gained 114 yards on a career-high 25 carries for the Rebels (1-0), who held Memphis (0-1) to only 115 yards of total offense and recovered four fumbles.

Memphis' Neil Suber was 14-of-31 for 123 yards but was sacked five times. Gerard Arnold gained 58 yards on 18 carries for the Tigers.

Ole Miss improved to 41-8-2 in the all-time series.