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Defense powers No. 1 Alabama past No. 18 MSU, 24-0
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) Alabama's offense didn't put up the video game-like numbers that had seemingly become commonplace. The defense played so well, again, that it didn't matter.
The top-ranked Crimson Tide had its second straight shutout in a 24-0 victory over No. 18 Mississippi State on Saturday, while Josh Jacobs ran for a touchdown and caught a scoring pass.
With quarterback Tua Tagovailoa still battling a gimpy right knee, the Tide (10-0, 7-0 Southeastern Conference, No. 1 CFP) turned to defense for another vintage performance.
''I think in this day and age, you not only get judged on whether you win but you get judged on how you win,'' Tide coach Nick Saban said. ''I never thought I'd ever be in position to say that you get style points but the way our system is, that may be the way it is.''
The offense had already banked plenty of style - and real - points along the way.
Alabama raced to a fast start but mostly stalled from there against the Bulldogs (6-4, 2-4) and the nation's No. 2 scoring defense.
Tagovailoa started the fourth quarter on a stationary bike after getting his right knee checked out in the medical tent following a low hit. He didn't return and wasn't needed, mainly because of a defense that was overshadowed by an offense that had led the nation in scoring much of the season.
Saban said Tagovailoa could have returned if needed.
''He got hit low a few times out there today,'' Saban said. ''He got hit in the front of the knee and not the back, which is where his problem was. I think he's OK.''
Fresh from a 29-0 victory over No. 9 LSU, the Tide defense hasn't allowed a point in nine-plus quarters. It's the first time Alabama has had consecutive shutouts since beating Western Carolina and Auburn to end the 2012 regular season.
''It's a great feeling,'' Tide linebacker Dylan Moses said. ''It means we got the job done.''
Alabama had five sacks and Mississippi State had four in a rough day for both quarterbacks against two talent-rich defensive lines.
Tagovailoa was 14 of 21 for 164 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He also lost a fumble on a botched exchange with Damien Harris.
Backup Jalen Hurts missed his second straight game with an ankle injury.
Jacobs ran for 97 yards on 20 carries as Alabama. He scored on a 1-yard run and a 14-yard catch.
The Bulldogs stuffed Harris on the goal line on a late fourth-down attempt.
''I think certainly, defensively, we continue to play well,'' Mississippi State coach Joe Moorhead said. ''We continue to fight our tails off. We held them under 350 yards. It was most prominent bowing their back on that last drive and keeping them out of the end zone. That's the type of pride and physicality we play with defensively. We certainly gave ourselves an opportunity with how we played.''
Nick Fitzgerald was 11 of 20 for 125 yards for Mississippi State, which gained just 44 yards on 30 rushes.
Alabama scored touchdowns on its first two drives, consuming more than 10 minutes combined with 156 yards. The Bulldogs mostly held the Tide's prolific offense in check after that.
Alabama outgained Mississippi State 305-169 in total yards.
The Tide's third TD was set up by a fumbled punt return at Mississippi State's 27 in the second quarter.
THE TAKEAWAY
Mississippi State: Penalties helped cost opportunities to make this game close as Bulldogs couldn't cash in on several promising drives. Kylin Hill had a 38-yard run but the running game couldn't get much going beyond that.
Alabama: Didn't have a play longer than 25 yards on offense. Defense had 10 tackles for loss and Alabama didn't commit a penalty. Guard Deonte Brown went down with turf toe.
HOME STREAK
Alabama matched the school record with its 24th consecutive home victory. The mark was initially set from 1971-74 at Legion Field and Bryant-Denny Stadium.
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UP NEXT
Mississippi State hosts Arkansas in another SEC West matchup.
Alabama hosts The Citadel in what should amount to a break before the Auburn game.
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Copyright 2018 by AP. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of AP is strictly prohibited.
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
1st Downs | 6 | 23 |
Rushing | 3 | 12 |
Passing | 3 | 9 |
Penalty | 0 | 2 |
3rd Down Conv | 1-13 | 4-12 |
4th Down Conv | 0-2 | 0-1 |
Total Net Yards | 139 | 269 |
Total Plays | 50 | 72 |
Avg Gain | 2.8 | 3.7 |
Net Yards Rushing | 44 | 142 |
Rush Attempts | 30 | 45 |
Avg Rush Yards | 1.5 | 3.2 |
Yards Passing | 125 | 163 |
Comp. - Att. | 11-20 | 17-27 |
Yards Per Pass | 4.8 | 4.7 |
Penalties - Yards | 7-50 | 0-0 |
Touchdowns | 0 | 3 |
Rushing TDs | 0 | 2 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 1 |
Other | 0 | 0 |
Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
Fumbles - Lost | 2-1 | 1-1 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 1 |
Punts - Avg | 8-36.8 | 5-36.6 |
Return Yards | 6 | 27 |
Punts - Returns | 1--9 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 1-12 | 1-27 |
Int. - Returns | 1-3 | 0-0 |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
|
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
N. FitzgeraldÂ
7 QB
|
N. Fitzgerald | 11/20 | 125 | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
K. HillÂ
8 RB
|
K. Hill | 7 | 47 | 0 | 38 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ae. WilliamsÂ
26 RB
|
Ae. Williams | 7 | 28 | 0 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. FitzgeraldÂ
7 QB
|
N. Fitzgerald | 14 | -23 | 0 | 11 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
D. ThomasÂ
2 WR
|
D. Thomas | 0 | 2 | 25 | 0 | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Ae. WilliamsÂ
26 RB
|
Ae. Williams | 0 | 1 | 23 | 0 | 23 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
O. MitchellÂ
87 WR
|
O. Mitchell | 0 | 2 | 17 | 0 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Ju. JohnsonÂ
81 TE
|
Ju. Johnson | 0 | 2 | 14 | 0 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
S. GuidryÂ
1 WR
|
S. Guidry | 0 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
F. GreenÂ
82 TE
|
F. Green | 0 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
K. HillÂ
8 RB
|
K. Hill | 0 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. JonesÂ
84 TE
|
D. Jones | 0 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
W. Gay Jr.Â
6 LB
|
W. Gay Jr. | 2-0 | 2.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. RiversÂ
5 DE
|
C. Rivers | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. DantzlerÂ
3 CB
|
C. Dantzler | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. GreenÂ
4 DE
|
G. Green | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
J. ChristmannÂ
47 K
|
J. Christmann | 0/1 | 0 | 0/0 | 0 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
T. DayÂ
42 P
|
T. Day | 8 | 36.8 | 2 | 51 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
D. ThomasÂ
2 WR
|
D. Thomas | 1 | 12.0 | 12 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
D. Thomas 2 WR
|
D. Thomas | 1 | -9.0 | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
T. TagovailoaÂ
13 QB
|
T. Tagovailoa | 14/21 | 164 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. JonesÂ
10 QB
|
M. Jones | 3/6 | -1 | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
J. JacobsÂ
8 RB
|
J. Jacobs | 20 | 97 | 1 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. HarrisÂ
34 RB
|
D. Harris | 14 | 53 | 1 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. HarrisÂ
22 RB
|
N. Harris | 3 | 16 | 0 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. TagovailoaÂ
13 QB
|
T. Tagovailoa | 8 | -24 | 0 | 10 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
I. Smith Jr.Â
82 TE
|
I. Smith Jr. | 0 | 5 | 70 | 0 | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. JeudyÂ
4 WR
|
J. Jeudy | 0 | 6 | 45 | 0 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. WaddleÂ
17 WR
|
J. Waddle | 0 | 3 | 26 | 0 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. JacobsÂ
8 RB
|
J. Jacobs | 0 | 2 | 12 | 1 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. SmithÂ
6 WR
|
D. Smith | 0 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
H. Ruggs IIIÂ
11 WR
|
H. Ruggs III | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. HarrisÂ
34 RB
|
D. Harris | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
D. MosesÂ
32 LB
|
D. Moses | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
I. BuggsÂ
49 DL
|
I. Buggs | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Q. WilliamsÂ
92 DL
|
Q. Williams | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. MaydenÂ
21 DB
|
J. Mayden | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. RayÂ
89 DL
|
L. Ray | 0-1 | 0.5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. WilsonÂ
30 LB
|
M. Wilson | 0-1 | 0.5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. MillerÂ
47 LB
|
C. Miller | 0-1 | 0.5 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
J. BulovasÂ
97 K
|
J. Bulovas | 1/1 | 49 | 3/3 | 6 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
M. BernierÂ
98 P
|
M. Bernier | 5 | 36.6 | 1 | 43 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
J. JacobsÂ
8 RB
|
J. Jacobs | 1 | 27.0 | 27 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (15:00 - 1st) 48-S.Goodman kicks 65 yards from MSST 35. 8-J.Jacobs to BAMA 27 for 27 yards. |
+4 YD | 1 & 10 - BAMA 27 (15:00 - 1st) 13-T.Tagovailoa scrambles to BAMA 31 for 4 yards. |
+12 YD | 2 & 6 - BAMA 31 (14:54 - 1st) 34-D.Harris to BAMA 43 for 12 yards. |
+4 YD | 1 & 10 - BAMA 43 (14:18 - 1st) 34-D.Harris to BAMA 47 for 4 yards. |
+5 YD | 2 & 6 - BAMA 47 (13:48 - 1st) 13-T.Tagovailoa complete to 4-J.Jeudy. 4-J.Jeudy to MSST 48 for 5 yards. |
+10 YD | 3 & 1 - MISSST 48 (13:17 - 1st) 8-J.Jacobs to MSST 38 for 10 yards. |
+7 YD | 1 & 10 - MISSST 38 (12:36 - 1st) 34-D.Harris to MSST 31 for 7 yards. |
+5 YD | 2 & 3 - MISSST 31 (12:03 - 1st) 34-D.Harris to MSST 26 for 5 yards. |
+25 YD | 1 & 10 - MISSST 26 (11:30 - 1st) 13-T.Tagovailoa complete to 82-I.Smith. 82-I.Smith to MSST 1 for 25 yards. |
+1 YD | 1 & 1 - MISSST 1 (10:58 - 1st) 34-D.Harris runs 1 yard for a touchdown. |
PAT Good | (10:44 - 1st) 97-J.Bulovas extra point is good. |
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (10:40 - 1st) 97-J.Bulovas kicks 40 yards from BAMA 35 to MSST 25 fair catch by 2-D.Thomas. |
+1 YD | 1 & 10 - MISSST 25 (10:40 - 1st) 7-N.Fitzgerald to MSST 26 for 1 yard. |
+8 YD | 2 & 9 - MISSST 26 (10:40 - 1st) 7-N.Fitzgerald complete to 87-O.Mitchell. 87-O.Mitchell to MSST 34 for 8 yards. |
-2 YD | 3 & 1 - MISSST 34 (10:10 - 1st) 8-K.Hill to MSST 32 for -2 yards. |
Punt | 4 & 3 - MISSST 32 (9:26 - 1st) 42-T.Day punts 51 yards from MSST 32 to BAMA 17 fair catch by 17-J.Waddle. |
Result | Play |
---|---|
+21 YD | 1 & 10 - BAMA 17 (8:50 - 1st) 13-T.Tagovailoa complete to 82-I.Smith. 82-I.Smith to BAMA 38 for 21 yards. |
+4 YD | 1 & 10 - BAMA 38 (8:42 - 1st) 34-D.Harris to BAMA 42 for 4 yards. |
+1 YD | 2 & 6 - BAMA 42 (8:24 - 1st) 13-T.Tagovailoa to BAMA 43 for 1 yard. |
+12 YD | 3 & 5 - BAMA 43 (7:48 - 1st) 13-T.Tagovailoa complete to 17-J.Waddle. 17-J.Waddle to MSST 45 for 12 yards. |
+4 YD | 1 & 10 - MISSST 45 (7:05 - 1st) 13-T.Tagovailoa complete to 82-I.Smith. 82-I.Smith to MSST 41 for 4 yards. |
+8 YD | 2 & 6 - MISSST 41 (6:31 - 1st) 8-J.Jacobs to MSST 33 for 8 yards. |
No Gain | 1 & 10 - MISSST 33 (5:53 - 1st) 13-T.Tagovailoa incomplete. Intended for 4-J.Jeudy. |
+8 YD | 2 & 10 - MISSST 33 (5:22 - 1st) 22-N.Harris to MSST 25 for 8 yards. |
+3 YD | 3 & 2 - MISSST 25 (5:16 - 1st) 8-J.Jacobs to MSST 22 for 3 yards. |
+10 YD | 1 & 10 - MISSST 22 (4:37 - 1st) 13-T.Tagovailoa scrambles to MSST 12 for 10 yards. |
+10 YD | 1 & 10 - MISSST 12 (4:09 - 1st) 8-J.Jacobs to MSST 2 for 10 yards. |
+1 YD | 1 & 2 - MISSST 2 (3:39 - 1st) 8-J.Jacobs to MSST 1 for 1 yard. |
+1 YD | 2 & 1 - MISSST 1 (3:26 - 1st) 8-J.Jacobs runs 1 yard for a touchdown. |
PAT Good | (2:53 - 1st) 97-J.Bulovas extra point is good. |
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (2:48 - 1st) 97-J.Bulovas kicks 65 yards from BAMA 35 to MSST End Zone. touchback. |
Sack | 1 & 10 - MISSST 25 (2:48 - 1st) 7-N.Fitzgerald sacked at MSST 24 for -1 yard (49-I.Buggs). |
Sack | 2 & 11 - MISSST 24 (2:48 - 1st) 7-N.Fitzgerald sacked at MSST 19 for -5 yards (92-Q.Williams). |
+12 YD | 3 & 16 - MISSST 19 (2:06 - 1st) 7-N.Fitzgerald complete to 1-S.Guidry. 1-S.Guidry to MSST 31 for 12 yards. |
Punt | 4 & 4 - MISSST 31 (1:21 - 1st) 42-T.Day punts 43 yards from MSST 31. to BAMA 26 for no gain. |
Result | Play |
---|---|
+5 YD | 1 & 10 - BAMA 26 (0:39 - 1st) 34-D.Harris to BAMA 32 for 6 yards. Team penalty on MSST Offside 5 yards enforced at BAMA 26. No Play. |
Sack | 1 & 5 - BAMA 31 (0:29 - 1st) 13-T.Tagovailoa sacked at BAMA 25 for -6 yards (5-C.Rivers). |
+12 YD | 2 & 11 - BAMA 25 (0:08 - 1st) 13-T.Tagovailoa complete to 4-J.Jeudy. 4-J.Jeudy to BAMA 37 for 12 yards. |
No Gain | 1 & 10 - BAMA 37 (15:00 - 2nd) 13-T.Tagovailoa incomplete. Intended for 11-H.Ruggs. |
+11 YD | 2 & 10 - BAMA 37 (14:32 - 2nd) 13-T.Tagovailoa complete to 4-J.Jeudy. 4-J.Jeudy to BAMA 48 for 11 yards. |
+7 YD | 1 & 10 - BAMA 48 (14:27 - 2nd) 8-J.Jacobs to MSST 45 for 7 yards. |
+4 YD | 2 & 3 - MISSST 45 (14:03 - 2nd) 8-J.Jacobs to MSST 41 for 4 yards. |
No Gain | 1 & 10 - MISSST 41 (13:44 - 2nd) 13-T.Tagovailoa incomplete. Intended for 4-J.Jeudy. |
+3 YD | 2 & 10 - MISSST 41 (13:28 - 2nd) 8-J.Jacobs to MSST 38 for 3 yards. |
No Gain | 3 & 7 - MISSST 38 (13:22 - 2nd) 8-J.Jacobs to MSST 38 for no gain. |
Punt | 4 & 7 - MISSST 38 (12:42 - 2nd) 98-M.Bernier punts 37 yards from MSST 38 Downed at the MSST 1. |
Result | Play |
---|---|
+7 YD | 1 & 10 - MISSST 1 (12:05 - 2nd) 26-A.Williams to MSST 8 for 7 yards. |
+4 YD | 2 & 3 - MISSST 8 (11:57 - 2nd) 26-A.Williams to MSST 12 for 4 yards. |
+7 YD | 1 & 10 - MISSST 12 (11:24 - 2nd) 7-N.Fitzgerald complete to 81-J.Johnson. 81-J.Johnson to MSST 19 for 7 yards. |
No Gain | 2 & 3 - MISSST 19 (10:53 - 2nd) 7-N.Fitzgerald incomplete. Intended for 81-J.Johnson. |
-4 YD | 3 & 3 - MISSST 19 (10:08 - 2nd) to MSST 15 for -4 yards. |
Punt | 4 & 7 - MISSST 15 (10:03 - 2nd) 42-T.Day punts 47 yards from MSST 15 to BAMA 38 fair catch by 17-J.Waddle. |