Bulldogs Fall Flat in 38-7 Loss to No. 4 Alabama

STARKVILLE, Miss. — The Mississippi State offense accumulated just 270 total yards in a 38-7 loss to No. 4 Alabama Saturday afternoon at Davis Wade Stadium.

The Bulldogs now fall to 4-6 (2-5 SEC), while Alabama improves to 9-1 (6-1 SEC).

Senior quarterback Tommy Stevens was held to 12-of-21 passing for just 82 yards and one interception. He also carried the ball 10 times for 96 yards. Junior running back Kylin Hill finished with 35 yards rushing and a touchdown on 16 carries (2,2 yards per carry). Senior running back Nick Gibson rushed nine times for 56 yards.

Alabama junior quarterback Tua Tagovailoa completed 14-of-18 passes for 256 yards and two touchdowns before being knocked out with a hip injury with 3:01 left in the second quarter. Junior quarterback Mac Jones finished with 94 yards passing in relief.

Junior running back Najee Harris led the Alabama rushing attack with 88 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries. He also finished with a receiving touchdown. Junior running back Brian Robinson Jr. rushed eight times for 56 yards.

The State defense was anchored by junior linebacker Erroll Thompson, who finished with nine tackles, including one tackle for loss and 0.5 sacks.

Alabama jumped out to a 14-0 lead 2:36 into the game on a 10-yard Harris rushing touchdown and a 19-yard touchdown reception.

The Bulldogs would respond with a 75-yard drive that was capped off with a 1-yard touchdown run from Hill.

Harris scored his third touchdown of the game with a rush from five yards out with 3:22 left in the first quarter to make it 21-7.

Sophomore wide receiver Jaylen Waddle then reeled in a 35-yard touchdown pass from Tagovailoa to make it 28-7 early in the second quarter.

Harris’ third rushing touchdowns put the Tide ahead by four scores at the 6:08 mark in the second quarter to take a 35-7 lead into halftime.

Alabama junior kicker Joseph Bulovas ended the game’s scoring with a 22-yard field goal with 7:28 left in the third quarter to make it 38-7.

The Bulldogs stay at home for next Saturday’s game against Abilene Christian (5-5) at Davis Wade Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 6:30 p.m. CT and will be televised by SEC Network Alternate.