|
 |   |
|
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Multimedia Central Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities Work in Sports
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE |  |
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama (Ticker) -- No. 13 Alabama took control of the Southeastern Conference West Division, toppling No. 7 Mississippi from the unbeaten ranks with a 19-7 victory led by Shaun Alexander and a dominant defense. The Crimson Tide (8-2, 6-1 SEC West) shut out the Bulldogs (8-1, 5-1) over the final 43 minutes and grabbed the inside track to the SEC title game in Atlanta on December 4. Hampered by NCAA sanctions since its national title campaign of 1992, Alabama has not played in the conference championship game since 1996. It is in line for a rematch with Florida, which has control of the East Division but had its 30-game home winning streak ended by Alabama on October 2. "It was a huge win against an outstanding football team," Tide coach Mike DuBose said. "I can't say enough good things about our football team, especially our senior group. They have overcome so much this year. This was a great win for them, especially since it was their last game at Bryant-Denny (Stadium)." Alexander was limited to 108 total yards but could not be kept out of the end zone. The nation's scoring leader answered Mississippi State's only touchdown with a six-yard TD run that gave the Crimson Tide the lead for good. "When I got here in 1995, the seniors told our class what it takes to win," said Alexander, who had 54 yards rushing and 54 receiving. "Through probation and lack of scholarships, things began to take a toll. Now that we have the talent back, it is up to this senior class to teach them how to win." It was a crushing loss for the Bulldogs, who were off to the best start in school history. Mississippi State can still win the West, but it must beat Arkansas and Mississippi and hope for Alabama to lose to rival Auburn. "They did what they had to do to win," MSU coach Jackie Sherrill said. "We didn't make big plays in the second half." With Mississippi State keying on Alexander, Alabama's Andrew Zow completed 18-of-34 passes for 222 yards, including a clinching 37-yard TD pass to Shamari Buchanan with 6:04 to play. "To win next week, we have to prepare ourselves well and maintain focus," Zow said. "Auburn is a block that is in our way right now and we'll have to play hard to move them out of the way." Alabama limited Mississippi State to 232 yards, including just 24 on the ground. The Bulldogs didn't help themselves with three interceptions and 12 penalties for 86 yards. Ryan Pflugner kicked a pair of field goals for the Crimson Tide, including a 40-yarder that opened the scoring with 3:44 left in the first quarter. The teams traded possessions before Mississippi State got on the board, zipping 70 yards in five plays and 87 seconds. The Bulldogs took their only lead on a three-yard TD pass from Wayne Madkin to Rod Gibson with 13:41 left in the second quarter. Alabama answered less than two minutes later as Zow directed an 80-yard drive in six plays. Alexander scored his 46th career touchdown with 11:46 remaining. Madkin was 14-of-21 for 168 yards but threw two interceptions. Matt Wyatt replaced him in the second half and was 5-of-13 for 40 yards and an interception. "We just kept bogging down all day and had a hard time getting on track," Wyatt said. "The interceptions and the penalties were tough. ... We made too many bad decisions. I am not one to make excuses, but we eliminated our chances of winning this game because of the penalties." Mississippi State's offense continued to sputter in the second half and Pflugner kicked a 32-yard field goal with 6:40 left in the third quarter, capping a 40-yaard drive. Zow's TD pass to Buchanan sealed the win with just over six minutes to play. Freddie Milons caught nine passes for 94 yards for Alabama, which ended a three-game losing streak in the series and holds a 67-14-3 all-time record against Mississippi State. Kelvin Love caught four passes for 109 yards for the Bulldogs, whose winning streak against the Tide matched it longest in the history of the series.
|
