(AP Photo/Birmingham News, Mark Almond)
In arguably the best “complete performance” of the 2009 season, the Alabama Crimson Tide dominated the Mississippi State Bulldogs, 31-3. In front of the largest crowd to ever witness an MSU football game at Davis Wade Stadium, Alabama simply owned the Bulldogs in every sense of the word.
In front of a sea of cowbells, and Mississippi State gimmick black jerseys, the Crimson Tide improved to 10-0 on the season, and served noticed on the entire nation. Alabama has now started a perfect 10-0 for the second consecutive season, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished by a Crimson Tide team since the 1973-1974 seasons.
‘Bama running back Mark Ingram had another spectacular outing and continues to make his case for the Heisman Trophy. Ingram had 149 yards on 19 carries, and two touchdowns. Even though Ingram busted open his forehead above his right eyebrow, and suffered a busted lip, the Bulldogs had no answer for the explosive Tide running back.
Quarterback Greg McElroy had an outstanding performance against the Bulldogs as he went 13-18 for 192 yards, including two touchdown passes. In the second period McElroy connected with Darius Hanks for a 45-yard touchdown, and in the final period McElroy found a wide open Julio Jones for a 48-yard score.
(AP Photo/Birmingham News, Mark Almond)
The Alabama passing attack was not only efficient…but balanced. Julio Jones caught four passes for 66 yards and the aforementioned touchdown. Marquis Maze caught four passes for 55 yards, including a critical third down conversion that went for 42 yards. Finally, Darius Hanks caught three passes for 59 yards, including the aforementioned 45-yard touchdown reception, which was also the initial score of the game.
On the other side of the field, the MSU passing game was anemic. Starter Tyson Lee went 9-17 for only 99 yards including two interceptions. Chris Relf went 0-3 with no passing yards and one interception.
Alabama had 444 yards of total offense compared to only 213 by the Bulldogs.
On the defensive side of the ball, Alabama held MSU running back Anthony Dixon to only 81 yards on 22 carries. Safety Mark Barron also had two interceptions and now has six on the season, which leads the SEC.
Tide cornerback Marquis Johnson also had an excellent outing against the Bulldogs, with numerous pass break-ups and a late game interception of his own.
Many college football “experts” said the game with Mississippi State would be a “trap game,” and ‘Bama would struggle to leave Starkville with a victory. If 31-3 is a “struggle” then Alabama is certainly on the right track to the ultimate prize.
With the win over Mississippi State, Alabama remains No. 3 in the USA TODAY COACHES POLL, but the Tide did manage to surpass the Texas Longhorns and capture the No. 2 position in the AP POLL.
The latest edition of the BCS standings has the Crimson Tide holding strong at the No. 2 position behind the Florida Gators.
MISSISSIPPI MANHANDLE: The Alabama Crimson Tide has owned the state of Mississippi this season. Thanks to a 22-3 win at Ole Miss, and the 31-3 victory in Starkville, ‘Bama have outscored the Rebels and the Bulldogs by a total of 53-6 in 2009.
NOTE: Coming soon…Chattanooga/Alabama preview.
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