Alabama football: Defense Center plays best in victory over OLE Miss

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama: Alabama defense gained a measure of redemption.

The Crimson Tide occupied the seventh suddenly not re-enter dominant games or opposing defenses overwhelming after finally lose a game, but the defense was aggressive and game pass only sufficiently effective.

The result was a 23-10 Professional on Mississippi victory Saturday night.

Defence of tide set the tone early by swarm Jeremiah Masoli & co a week after getting illuminated by 35 points by Carolina of the Sur.Alabama (6-1, 3-1 SEC) allowed only for 7 yards of first three units of OLE Miss and 41 yards in the opening half.

"" I'm actually very excited about how our defense played, "Alabama tight end said Preston dial.""Led to us".

For ' Center, fearing a slump, fans was probably the most encouraging sign of the game.The tide had left 315 yards against the Gamecocks a week earlier to help send a 19-game streak crashing to a halt.

OLE Miss (3-2, 1 - 2) not score a touchdown until late in the third quarter and first half only points the team of came it with a goal of field created by a punt from return.

Alabama defense registers 10 haste against Masoli, which broke six passes and had six tackles for loss with a pair of sacks. Brandon Bolden, corridor No. 3 sec coming, managed only 32 yards on 10 carries.

Masoli held 18 40 through 110 yards with a touchdown and an interception. also ran for 40 yards, much of their entry into a final 26-yards than setting the lone touchdown and final outcome of the game.

A few minutes before, Alabama Trent Richardson had taken a screen pass 85 yards for a touchdown provide a comfortable margin.

He was one of the few major breakdowns for the defense of OLE Miss.

"" The defence arose great moments,"said rebel coach Houston Nutt."Maintained excellent exercise and swarming excellent.We've talked about the front of the banda.No Ingram (mark), a winner of the Heisman Trophy and Trent Richardson can be addressed.Cannot make them face to face.

"You have to get people there.""You have to gather around football in gangs, and our kids what hizo.Persiguieron the ball extremely hard."

Rebels employ the same formula that contains Richardson and Ingram and forcing the Gamecocks quarterback Greg McElroy to win in the aire.En mostly worked.

The two backs combine to 105 yardas.McElroy passed 219 yards and two touchdowns, but was sacked four times a week to go in the backfield seven times.

"" We really struggled against these guys for three years in a row offensively, "said coach Nick Saban tide."Practically take run away and make difficult run.

"You have to run the game paso.A times did, and sometimes we do not."

Errors of OLE Miss helped first abundantemente.La covered Alabama drive a heavy 46 yards in 11 plays and initially stalled, but the rebels were marked for roughing the kicker: one of 12 sanciones.Y McElroy responded with a 7-yard touchdown pass to the marking of Preston.

By contrast, the defence of the Alabama stuck when the rebels took at age 21 Alabama after a fumble return man Marquis Maze.Ole Miss had become a fourth-and-1 but still had to settle for a short Bryson Rose field goal.

Tide defensive end Marcell Dareus, who played with a gimpy left ankle, thinks defensive performance was a beginning, but that is all.

"I believe that we are not really quite there," Dareus, said.

We have plenty of room to improve."

Richardson's decision-making was slightly more positive.

"" We needed a game like this,"said Richardson.""We had a minor setback, and we needed to come back big after loss".

View the original article here

Alabama football: Defense Center plays best in victory over OLE Miss

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama: Alabama defense gained a measure of redemption.

The Crimson Tide occupied the seventh suddenly not re-enter dominant games or opposing defenses overwhelming after finally lose a game, but the defense was aggressive and game pass only sufficiently effective.

The result was a 23-10 Professional on Mississippi victory Saturday night.

Defence of tide set the tone early by swarm Jeremiah Masoli & co a week after getting illuminated by 35 points by Carolina of the Sur.Alabama (6-1, 3-1 SEC) allowed only for 7 yards of first three units of OLE Miss and 41 yards in the opening half.

"" I'm actually very excited about how our defense played, "Alabama tight end said Preston dial.""Led to us".

For ' Center, fearing a slump, fans was probably the most encouraging sign of the game.The tide had left 315 yards against the Gamecocks a week earlier to help send a 19-game streak crashing to a halt.

OLE Miss (3-2, 1 - 2) not score a touchdown until late in the third quarter and first half only points the team of came it with a goal of field created by a punt from return.

Alabama defense registers 10 haste against Masoli, which broke six passes and had six tackles for loss with a pair of sacks. Brandon Bolden, corridor No. 3 sec coming, managed only 32 yards on 10 carries.

Masoli held 18 40 through 110 yards with a touchdown and an interception. also ran for 40 yards, much of their entry into a final 26-yards than setting the lone touchdown and final outcome of the game.

A few minutes before, Alabama Trent Richardson had taken a screen pass 85 yards for a touchdown provide a comfortable margin.

He was one of the few major breakdowns for the defense of OLE Miss.

"" The defence arose great moments,"said rebel coach Houston Nutt."Maintained excellent exercise and swarming excellent.We've talked about the front of the banda.No Ingram (mark), a winner of the Heisman Trophy and Trent Richardson can be addressed.Cannot make them face to face.

"You have to get people there.""You have to gather around football in gangs, and our kids what hizo.Persiguieron the ball extremely hard."

Rebels employ the same formula that contains Richardson and Ingram and forcing the Gamecocks quarterback Greg McElroy to win in the aire.En mostly worked.

The two backs combine to 105 yardas.McElroy passed 219 yards and two touchdowns, but was sacked four times a week to go in the backfield seven times.

"" We really struggled against these guys for three years in a row offensively, "said coach Nick Saban tide."Practically take run away and make difficult run.

"You have to run the game paso.A times did, and sometimes we do not."

Errors of OLE Miss helped first abundantemente.La covered Alabama drive a heavy 46 yards in 11 plays and initially stalled, but the rebels were marked for roughing the kicker: one of 12 sanciones.Y McElroy responded with a 7-yard touchdown pass to the marking of Preston.

By contrast, the defence of the Alabama stuck when the rebels took at age 21 Alabama after a fumble return man Marquis Maze.Ole Miss had become a fourth-and-1 but still had to settle for a short Bryson Rose field goal.

Tide defensive end Marcell Dareus, who played with a gimpy left ankle, thinks defensive performance was a beginning, but that is all.

"I believe that we are not really quite there," Dareus, said.

We have plenty of room to improve."

Richardson's decision-making was slightly more positive.

"" We needed a game like this,"said Richardson.""We had a minor setback, and we needed to come back big after loss".

View the original article here

Alabama football: Defense of Crimson Tide bounces back with win over Mississippi rebels

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Stops SEC’s highest scoring offense

By MICHAEL CASAGRANDE

Special to the Ledger-Enquirer

Alabama wide receiver Marquis Maze (4) fumbles the ball during a kick return on a hit from Mississippi linebacker Allen Walker (9) during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Adam Gentry of Madison, Ala., , who started painting "I Love Mom " on his arm last year when she was serving in Iraq hoping she would see it on television, still does it for every game even though she has returned home hoping she will still see it on television before an NCAA college football game against Mississippi on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Alabama wide receiver Earl Alexander (82) catches a pass with Mississippi cornerback Marcus Temple (4) defending in the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Alabama running back Mark Ingram (22) runs for a first down around Mississippi safety Damien Jackson (1) during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy, right, throws while under pressure from Mississippi safety Damien Jackson (1) during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Mississippi quarterback Jeremiah Masoli (8) stretches for extra yards after losing his helmet on a hit from Alabama defensive back DeMarcus Milliner (28) during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Alabama running back Trent Richardson (3) tries to find some running room against Mississippi during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Alabama running back Trent Richardson (3) tries to get around Mississippi cornerback Marcus Temple (4) in the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Alabama defensive back Mark Barron (4) intercepts a pass against Mississippi in the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Alabama coach Nick Saban wants an offensive pass interference call against Mississippi in the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Mississippi quarterback Jeremiah Masoli (8) is sacked by Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshaw (41) during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy (12) throws down the field against Mississippi during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Alabama running back Mark Ingram (22) stretches for a first down against Mississippi linebacker Allen Walker (9) in the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Mississippi wide receiver Melvin Harris (5) makes it to the end zone for a touchdown over Alabama defensive back Robert Lester (37) in the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Mississippi quarterback Jeremiah Masoli (8) is sacked by Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshaw (41) during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Alabama wide receiver Marquis Maze (4) is carried out of bounds on a hit from Mississippi linebacker Jonathan Cornell (51) during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy (12) throws down the field against Mississippi in the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Alabama wide receiver Earl Alexander (82) catches a pass with Mississippi cornerback Marcus Temple (4) defending in the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Alabama running back Mark Ingram (22) stretches for a first down against Mississippi linebacker Allen Walker (9) in the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy (12) scrambles for a first down past Mississippi defensive end Gerald Rivers (90) during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Mississippi quarterback Jeremiah Masoli (8) stretches for extra yards after losing his helmet on a hit from Alabama defensive back DeMarcus Milliner (28) during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy (12) throws down the field against Mississippi during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Mississippi quarterback Jeremiah Masoli (8) feels pressure from Alabama defensive lineman Nick Gentry (58) in the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Alabama running back Trent Richardson (3) tries to find some running room against Mississippi during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Mississippi quarterback Jeremiah Masoli (8) scrambles away from Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshaw (41) during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Alabama defensive back Mark Barron (4) intercepts a pass against Mississippi in the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Facing an unfamiliar situation, Alabama turned to an old friend.

Playing a week after a loss for the first time since 2007, the Crimson Tide dusted off its defense just when it faced its greatest questions.

No, there wasn’t much bend in the Alabama front on homecoming night.

Riding the dependable-again defense and a streaky offense, the Tide turned away Ole Miss 23-10 in a late-night special kicked off at 9:15 p.m. to accommodate ESPN2. By the time it ended, the sold-out crowd thinned considerably, but the fireworks ended well before that.

The Rebels, owners of SEC’s highest scoring offense entering Saturday averaging 37.2 points a game, were held at bay most of the night as the Tide defense rediscovered the fundamentals that failed a week earlier in a two-touchdown loss at South Carolina.

Allowing just one touchdown, after surrendering five a week earlier, Alabama’s defense played a more physical brand than it did a week ago in Columbia.

Offensively, the Tide (6-1, 3-1 SEC) had issues running the ball for the third straight week with the physical Rebel front plugging running lanes for Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson. The pair ran for 95 yards with the returning Heisman Trophy winner going for 60 yards on 16 carries and Richardson running for 45 on 11 attempts.

And with Julio Jones making just a brief appearance early playing with a broken left hand, it was up to the supporting cast of receivers to fill the void.

But it was a Richardson catch that helped break the game open.

Facing a third-and-13 from its own 15, the sophomore running back caught what appeared to be a harmless screen pass to give punter Cody Mandell some extra room to operate. Richardson had other plans, though.

He darted through would-be tacklers then outran defensive backs for the 85-yard touchdown reception that put the Tide up 23-3 midway through the third quarter.

Other than that, Alabama’s offense was hit or miss.

Quarterback Greg McElroy put up respectable numbers with 17 completions in 25 attempts for 219 yards. Sacks, though, were a carryover issue from the South Carolina game.

The Tide quarterback was taken down four times behind the line after taking seven sacks against the Gamecocks. He threw successfully to eight different receivers, but the Alabama offense lacked rhythm most of the night.

But the story was Alabama’s handling of Rebel quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, the transfer from Oregon who was starting to hit his stride with Ole Miss.

It quickly became clear Saturday night that he wasn’t going to be the star of the show. Alabama limited the Rebel offense to seven yards combined in its first three possessions that all ended in punts.

By halftime, Masoli had completed just 3-of-12 passes for 14 yards and ran six times for negative-3 yards.

Ole Miss, though, found some footing in the second half. It marched 74 plays in 10 plays in a drive that had shades of a crucial third-quarter drive Alabama surrendered a week ago at South Carolina. The Rebels (3-3, 1-2 SEC) converted three third-downs including the third-and-7 touchdown pass from Masoli to Melvin Harris with 4:40 to play in the third to cut the lead to 13 points.

Masoli finished with 17 completions in 39 attempts for 102 yards and 38 rushing yards on 10 carries. He was sacked twice and pressured on 10 other occasions by the defense led by Mark Barron and Dre Kirkpatrick who had seven tackles apiece. Barron added a fourth-quarter interception to top off his night.

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Alabama football: Defense of Crimson Tide bounces back with win over Mississippi rebels

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Stops SEC’s highest scoring offense

By MICHAEL CASAGRANDE

Special to the Ledger-Enquirer

Alabama wide receiver Marquis Maze (4) fumbles the ball during a kick return on a hit from Mississippi linebacker Allen Walker (9) during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Adam Gentry of Madison, Ala., , who started painting "I Love Mom " on his arm last year when she was serving in Iraq hoping she would see it on television, still does it for every game even though she has returned home hoping she will still see it on television before an NCAA college football game against Mississippi on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Alabama wide receiver Earl Alexander (82) catches a pass with Mississippi cornerback Marcus Temple (4) defending in the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Alabama running back Mark Ingram (22) runs for a first down around Mississippi safety Damien Jackson (1) during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy, right, throws while under pressure from Mississippi safety Damien Jackson (1) during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Mississippi quarterback Jeremiah Masoli (8) stretches for extra yards after losing his helmet on a hit from Alabama defensive back DeMarcus Milliner (28) during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Alabama running back Trent Richardson (3) tries to find some running room against Mississippi during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Alabama running back Trent Richardson (3) tries to get around Mississippi cornerback Marcus Temple (4) in the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Alabama defensive back Mark Barron (4) intercepts a pass against Mississippi in the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Alabama coach Nick Saban wants an offensive pass interference call against Mississippi in the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Mississippi quarterback Jeremiah Masoli (8) is sacked by Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshaw (41) during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy (12) throws down the field against Mississippi during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Alabama running back Mark Ingram (22) stretches for a first down against Mississippi linebacker Allen Walker (9) in the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Mississippi wide receiver Melvin Harris (5) makes it to the end zone for a touchdown over Alabama defensive back Robert Lester (37) in the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Mississippi quarterback Jeremiah Masoli (8) is sacked by Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshaw (41) during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Alabama wide receiver Marquis Maze (4) is carried out of bounds on a hit from Mississippi linebacker Jonathan Cornell (51) during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy (12) throws down the field against Mississippi in the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Alabama wide receiver Earl Alexander (82) catches a pass with Mississippi cornerback Marcus Temple (4) defending in the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Alabama running back Mark Ingram (22) stretches for a first down against Mississippi linebacker Allen Walker (9) in the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy (12) scrambles for a first down past Mississippi defensive end Gerald Rivers (90) during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Mississippi quarterback Jeremiah Masoli (8) stretches for extra yards after losing his helmet on a hit from Alabama defensive back DeMarcus Milliner (28) during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy (12) throws down the field against Mississippi during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Mississippi quarterback Jeremiah Masoli (8) feels pressure from Alabama defensive lineman Nick Gentry (58) in the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Alabama running back Trent Richardson (3) tries to find some running room against Mississippi during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Mississippi quarterback Jeremiah Masoli (8) scrambles away from Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshaw (41) during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Alabama defensive back Mark Barron (4) intercepts a pass against Mississippi in the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Facing an unfamiliar situation, Alabama turned to an old friend.

Playing a week after a loss for the first time since 2007, the Crimson Tide dusted off its defense just when it faced its greatest questions.

No, there wasn’t much bend in the Alabama front on homecoming night.

Riding the dependable-again defense and a streaky offense, the Tide turned away Ole Miss 23-10 in a late-night special kicked off at 9:15 p.m. to accommodate ESPN2. By the time it ended, the sold-out crowd thinned considerably, but the fireworks ended well before that.

The Rebels, owners of SEC’s highest scoring offense entering Saturday averaging 37.2 points a game, were held at bay most of the night as the Tide defense rediscovered the fundamentals that failed a week earlier in a two-touchdown loss at South Carolina.

Allowing just one touchdown, after surrendering five a week earlier, Alabama’s defense played a more physical brand than it did a week ago in Columbia.

Offensively, the Tide (6-1, 3-1 SEC) had issues running the ball for the third straight week with the physical Rebel front plugging running lanes for Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson. The pair ran for 95 yards with the returning Heisman Trophy winner going for 60 yards on 16 carries and Richardson running for 45 on 11 attempts.

And with Julio Jones making just a brief appearance early playing with a broken left hand, it was up to the supporting cast of receivers to fill the void.

But it was a Richardson catch that helped break the game open.

Facing a third-and-13 from its own 15, the sophomore running back caught what appeared to be a harmless screen pass to give punter Cody Mandell some extra room to operate. Richardson had other plans, though.

He darted through would-be tacklers then outran defensive backs for the 85-yard touchdown reception that put the Tide up 23-3 midway through the third quarter.

Other than that, Alabama’s offense was hit or miss.

Quarterback Greg McElroy put up respectable numbers with 17 completions in 25 attempts for 219 yards. Sacks, though, were a carryover issue from the South Carolina game.

The Tide quarterback was taken down four times behind the line after taking seven sacks against the Gamecocks. He threw successfully to eight different receivers, but the Alabama offense lacked rhythm most of the night.

But the story was Alabama’s handling of Rebel quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, the transfer from Oregon who was starting to hit his stride with Ole Miss.

It quickly became clear Saturday night that he wasn’t going to be the star of the show. Alabama limited the Rebel offense to seven yards combined in its first three possessions that all ended in punts.

By halftime, Masoli had completed just 3-of-12 passes for 14 yards and ran six times for negative-3 yards.

Ole Miss, though, found some footing in the second half. It marched 74 plays in 10 plays in a drive that had shades of a crucial third-quarter drive Alabama surrendered a week ago at South Carolina. The Rebels (3-3, 1-2 SEC) converted three third-downs including the third-and-7 touchdown pass from Masoli to Melvin Harris with 4:40 to play in the third to cut the lead to 13 points.

Masoli finished with 17 completions in 39 attempts for 102 yards and 38 rushing yards on 10 carries. He was sacked twice and pressured on 10 other occasions by the defense led by Mark Barron and Dre Kirkpatrick who had seven tackles apiece. Barron added a fourth-quarter interception to top off his night.

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