Bulldogs Roll Over No. 21 Crimson Tide 17-12

Saturday, November 10

Starkville

11:30 a.m.

Mississippi State

6-4 , 3-3

#21 Alabama

6-4 , 4-3

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Alabama

Mississippi State

Bulldogs Roll Over No. 21 Crimson Tide 17-12

November 10, 2007 | Football

Box Score

By: hailstate.com

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STARKVILLE, Miss. - Two Mississippi State interceptions of Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson - one late in the second quarter and one early in the third - led to 14 key Bulldog points as MSU upset the 21st-ranked Crimson Tide 17-12 Saturday afternoon at Davis Wade Stadium.

A school-record crowd of 56,188 fans witnessed the victory, which was MSU's second in as many years over UA and upped State's record to 6-4 overall, 3-3 in Southeastern Conference. 'Bama fell to 6-4, 4-3. It also gave MSU bowl eligibility for the first time since the 2000 campaign.

With Alabama leading 9-3 late in the second quarter, 'Bama appeared it was going to take control of the game on a well-clock-managed possession which began at the 4:08 mark of the second period. UA drove 78 yards on 13 plays to the Bulldog 1 where it faced a third-and-goal with 21 seconds remaining before halftime. After a timeout, Wilson dropped back to pass, but a heavy rush from MSU's Titus Brown forced him to throw early and short. Waiting in the end zone was Bulldog Anthony Johnson, who intercepted the pass and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown. That huge momentum swing, which broke a 70-year-old pickoff return record held by Jack Nix, gave State a 10-9 advantage at the intermission.

Then, on Alabama's first drive of the second half, the Bulldogs would pick off Wilson again, this time the interception being made by Derek Pegues. Pegues returned the ball 40 yards to the Crimson Tide 25-yard line. Five plays later, State running back Anthony Dixon plunged in on the right side from three yards out. Adam Carlson's extra point put MSU up 17-9 with 11:35 to go in the third period.

The remainder of the game would highlight both teams' defenses, as only a fourth-quarter Alabama field goal would be scored the rest of the way and State would hold on for the victory. The Crimson Tide, which has now not scored an offensive touchdown against Mississippi State since the 2004 season, never penetrated MSU territory any deeper than the Bulldog 46-yard line in the second half (excluding the field goal drive).

In addition to being State's second straight win over 'Bama, it also marked Bulldog head coach Sylvester Croom's second consecutive win over his alma mater. It was also Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban's first career loss against MSU (was 5-0 vs. the Bulldogs while at LSU).

Two Alabama field goals were the only scoring in the first period of the game. The Crimson Tide's first score was setup after MSU's first drive ended with quarterback Wesley Carroll's first career pass interception, leaving UA at the Bulldog 34. After State's defense stood strong, Leigh Tiffin nailed a 39-yard field goal for an early 3-0 Alabama lead.

After the Tide held MSU to a second three-and-out possession, Alabama drove 25 yards on five plays to the State 34. From there, Tiffin connected on a 51-yard field goal effort for a 6-0 'Bama lead.

Alabama extended its lead to 9-0 on its first drive of the second quarter. After moving the ball 52 yards on 10 plays, Tiffin connected on his third kick attempt of the day, this time a 29-yard effort.

State would answer, posting its first points of the afternoon on the ensuing possession. The Bulldogs marched 52 yards on 11 plays to the Crimson Tide 18-yard line, setting up a Carlson 35-yard field goal.

'Bama's next drive ended in Johnson's game-changing interception return.

The Bulldogs return to action next week with a trip to Little Rock to meet SEC West foe Arkansas in a 1 p.m. CT matchup at War Memorial Stadium.