STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State football team’s offense didn’t have much success Saturday night against the No. 4 University of Alabama.
The Bulldogs didn’t move the ball much and they certainly didn’t light up the scoreboard for the first three quarters.
When the final whistle blew, the Crimson Tide proved why they are on another level in the Southeastern Conference with a 24-7 victory at David Wade Stadium.
“It’s pretty obvious to anyone that watches them play why they are one of the top two teams in the country,” MSU coach Dan Mullen said. “If you’re going to beat one of those top teams, you have to make all of the plays and not make mistakes.”
Alabama held MSU to 86 yards through three scoreless quarters. Its defensive front dominated to the tune of nine tackles of loss and five sacks.
“From a competitive character standpoint, I am really proud of the way we played,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “I saw some stuff out there tonight I had never seen, and I’ve been coaching for 40 years.”
MSU’s defense forced Alabama to punt on its first two drives for the first time this season.
Two unnecessary penalties gave Alabama its first score of the game — a 2-yard run by backup running back Eddie Lacy. On the punt return, defensive back Marvin Bure drilled Marquis Maze at least 3 yards out of bounds. Later in the drive, junior cornerback Johnthan Banks shoved a receiver in the end zone on a third-down pass that extended the drive.
Lacy’s touchdown was only the second first-half touchdown MSU has allowed its past five games. The sophomore finish with 96 yards on 11 carries and two scores.
“Most of the plays we blocked well, and I just did what I had to do and run the ball,” Lacy said.
Alabama (9-1, 5-1 Southeastern Conference) would’ve had more points, but the field goal kicking woes from last week’s 9-6 loss to No. 1 LSU came alive again. Cade Foster and Jeremy Shelley missed kicks from 49 and 31 yards to keep the game scoreless through the first quarter. Shelley’s missed 31-yarder made Alabama 2-for-8 in its last 10 attempts.
MSU couldn’t mount a charge, gaining only 15 yards on its first 19 plays. MSU’s first five drives ended in a punt and saw them earn only one first down in the first 25 minutes.
On MSU’s most productive drive, Mullen put all three active quarterbacks — Tyler Russell, Chris Relf, and Dylan Favre — on the field, and all three earned positive yardage. The drive included a formation where the only person in the tackle box was the center. Nine other legal receivers were out wide on both sides.
Mullen went back to Relf in the red zone, which led to 1-yard draw play and a incomplete pass from the senior. Loud booing from the 57,871 fans at Davis Wade Stadium followed. The 52-yard drive resulted in the letdown of a missed 41-yard field goal by Derek DePasquale.
Junior linebacker Cameron Lawrence gave MSU (5-5, 1-5) some momentum when he jumped the route of a dump pass by quarterback A.J. McCarron for an interception return to the Crimson Tide 4. Alabama’s defense and a false start penalty on left tackle James Carmon led Mullen to give Brian Egan his first field goal attempt of the season. Egan, a Western Illinois University transfer, shanked the 29-yard attempt wide right to give Alabama a 7-0 halftime lead.
“We do all the things you simply can’t do,” Mullen said. “Alabama is going to play a clean game and they’re going to wait for you to make mistakes.”
Heisman Trophy candidate Trent Richardson finished with 127 yards on 32 carries and a touchdown.
Alabama has allowed seven points or less in 13 of its past 14 first halves. Through the first 30 minutes, MSU had 7
rushing yards. Both teams were 2-for-14 on third-down conversions in the first half.
Alabama had a defensive stop and a 73-yard drive result in an 10-0 lead with 7 minutes, 32 seconds left in the third quarter. Shelley’s 24-yard field goal made the four kickers 1-for-5 Saturday night.
MSU will face No. 8 Arkansas at 2:30 p.m. Saturday (WCBI) in Little Rock, Ark. The Bulldogs still need a win to be bowl eligible.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.