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Key player
Greg McElroy.It may not be the most sought-after title but McElroy did a good job managing the offensive on staff online due to the lesiones.También changes delivered several excellent slideshows to receptors to jump start the offensive when hit the abatement first mitad.Terminando 12 passes in 18 attempts do not make him an all-American, but McElroy did his work in the direction of the offense to a solid 30 points evening.
Key moment
Long TD Mark Ingram.The tide had only gone on the emotional roller coaster see Marquis Maze only returned a punt for a touchdown to call back you.One plays later, Ingram 78-yard touchdown reception put them points back on the Board and served as an early knock-out blow for the Bulldogs that we could not find any consistent basis offensively.
Key decision
Adjust to the offense of execution of MSU.Los Bulldogs were doing some things Alabama does not provide for early and found the first éxito.Su possession met little resistance tide that had the luck to have Chris Relf on a pass directly to Robert Lester security before points were anotados.después, defending the great works became scarce as permitted Alabama defense offense it to accumulate the points needed to grasp the eighth win of the season.
Quote game
"Everyone says that I'm not fast, so I wanted to show them my fast."
-Mark Ingram said speed jump out of the home of 78-yard touchdown reception.
by the numbers
2
The net profit for MSU yard after a first quarter interception thrown on the 41 tide, a 3-and-out stop and a 33-yard punt gave 39 Alabama ball.
12
Yards lost by Mark Ingram in five consecutive H1 touches as Trent Richardson remained on the bench with a knee injury.
61
Average number of yards Alabama covered in three touchdowns - two passes and a final Julio Jones around to tide by 24 in the third.
-Michael Casagranade
18: All-time winning percentage of the State of Mississippi in games played against Alabama at Tuscaloosa after Saturday's loss.
78: Yards Mark Ingram ran after catching a pass screen for a touchdown and the longest game of his career in Alabama.
64.9: Greg McElroy career completion percentage after Saturday's game which heads the quarterbacks Alabama by almost 8.5 percentage points.
TUSCALOOSA, wing. -N, registration is not wrong.
Mississippi State really is 7-2, with six straight WINS, heading at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday night.
19 In the classification of BCS in the second year Dan Mullen, the Bulldogs era now found an edge using outdated principles with a twist again fangled.
Using some of the same ideology Mullen used as offensive coordinator in Florida when Tim Tebow made history, Mississippi State offense likes jogging, deceive and throw when you are not expecting.
What began as an offense two quarterback became the show Chris Relf, and Montgomery product knows how to run the ball.
Versus a quarterback Atlético creates several cuestiones.Se starts with search scout team member right to imitated Relf actions in a complete list of traditional drop-back walkers.Fortunately for Alabama coach Nick Saban, recruited an athlete offices of jack all in true rookie Blake Sims, who can play in high school and was a high school field marshal.
""(Sims) made a lot of these same types of plays in high school, has been the man that has been filled,"Saban said.""Phillip (Sims) does a good job of it too because he is very athletic and larger and more fuerte.Por what we have achieved a decent photo of in the past when we needed."
The average Bulldogs 218.7 yards per game on the ground for the third rank in the SEC and a set of step that is not quite the same level of support.On air, State of Mississippi is the team of 10-better statistically in SEC (164.6 yards per game) and 101 at the national level.
To the defence of tide known to stop the race will take an effort special Mullen acknowledged should come for the Bulldogs sábado.Trabajando is a scheme that borders defence which saw major breakdowns in the second half of the loss Alabama at LSU tests run.
Certainly, the Bulldogs, who had a bye week, saw and noted.
""You have to be a little creative to do that, and we are going to perform at a high level,"Mullen told reporters Monday in Starkville."When you run the football, error margin is lower.…When you run the football, has to be run at a very high level, and we are going to have great performance of our offensive line.
Alabama linebacker Hightower Dont' to know that deception is coming.
"Make a lot of things: a lot of sweet eyes" Hightower, said.
Includes the use of offensive linemen as decoys. Hightower says the Bulldogs will extract a guard in a pass from play-action as an example of a complex method of confusing defenses.
Running back Vick Ballard is the main threat of colymbia Mississippi State Defense with their pies.Ballard ranks seventh in SEC 77.4 yards per game and 6.7 yards per stroke.
"" I have great respect for Dixon (Anthony) last year in terms of being a physical support large, strong, by what I said to myself ' I am delighted that past that boy ', "Saban said.""The boys have to take it this year have ability really well, probably a little more speed and explosividad.Son in much of what would be called three-back racing".
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama: Darius Hanks not hesitate when asked if you plan to play Julius Jones Saturday against Mississippi.
"Yes, Lord, do," he said.
Four days after breaking his left hand in South Carolina, leader of the Crimson Tide caught passes with both hands during practice Wednesday.A day earlier, tight end Michael Williams said Jones caught passes with only his right hand healthy, but decreased inflammation enough for use both on Wednesday.
"" We assess these things daily,"said coach Nick Saban.""Was able to catch balls hoy.Él has run routes, and he only practice with all other. we will continue to assess its progress."
The injury occurred in the first half against the Gamecocks, but Jones never left the game.
Jones Pile of 118 receiving yards in eight catches, including a touchdown, especially after they broke the bone.
"" I knew when arrived until the sideline and us, "Hanks said."But not to tell the team doctors until later in the game.
Saban said on Monday that he played as soon as he could tolerate pain having had a plate and screw that are implanted in his hand.
The physical nature of the game of Jones' be a largest recipient means that it uses his hands for much more than catch passes.
"" Uses his hands when blocks,"said Saban."Uses his hands to drop out of the narrow coverage, especially who works ejecutan.Mississippi and roughness plays a lot of cover-1, a lot of great coverage, and has to make use of his hands.
"But the catch is something you use his hands with as much as anything and, so far, he has been able to do that."
Saban sees improvement
Now several days they are removed from the loss Saturday in South Carolina, Saban is happy with the way in which your computer is responding to unknown adversity that faces.
"I believe we have a better sense of urgency - a little more intensity with what we are doing," he said."We have worked fairly well.""I believe that when the game comes, everyone has the desire to ganar.Pero I think the important thing is to have the will to prepare to play successfully".
Even so, Saban said that something was missing when you start the game.
"" You have to play for 60 minutes in the game,"said.""Play winning football in this way, personally I am not that we have done throughout the year."
"Always open"
Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy was sacked Saturday seven times, and there are many reasons.
Includes wide receivers not finding open space in the South Carolina high school?
"" At all,"Hanks said on Wednesday."I feel that we are always open for ahí.Me feel as any wideout would say..."We were open, but things were not doing click en.No go our way."
Right guard Barrett Jones said the offensive line will be heat, although some appeared to be sacks of coverage while others should have been thrown when the lock was long enough.
"Jones said that at any time we down looted, we take it personally,".""We want to protect forever, regardless of what happens".
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.
TUSCALOOSA, wing., Jerrell Powe must have had a look at the offense of Alabama.
Then, on Monday afternoon, the defensive lineman Mississippi presented his findings to reporters in Oxford.
"I think that you got exposed," he said."Demonstrated that only a unidimensional.corren team are very well the ball.""I think South Carolina did a good job of stopping execution, and really could not get anything goes once they left".
Referencing the then fights better classified Crimson Tide in loss of 35-21 Saturday at Columbia, S.C, the Powe headlines observations, but apparently not Bulletin Board within Alabama football complejas.jugadores said they were not familiar with criticisms from the computer that will face at 9 p.m. Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
But was accurate?
Total 351 offensive yards of the tide, Saturday 89.7% came via air.
And if it is a question of why the tide went away from the game runtime in the effort to return, Nick Saban is a rapid response.Circumstances led the play call throw the ball rather than delivered by Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson.
"When the game goes as the game and you will get behind 21-3, what is the priority?"? Saban said. "Is to get these guys your scree, or is trying to go back in the game? when you arrive after 21-3 is trying to go back in the game, or are trying to make sure mark (Ingram) and Trent (Richardson) will get their scree?"What is the priority?For me, is back in the juego.A times the game determines "."
Soon it became a factor, Ingram and Richardson had moderate success running the ball, but not close to their normal production.Ingram averaged 3.7 yards per race, Richardson was 3.8 - downstream of their respective 7.1 season averages and 7.0 with the defence of the Gamecocks embedding in execution the hosts also played with the physicality lacked in 2009, when Ingram aroused his Heisman campaign by South Carolina gashing for 246 yards.
The recession in rushing yardage began a few weeks ago.Of running during a high season on September 18 at Duke 315 yards, the Yardage has slipped every week.Against a much better defence in Arkansas, the total was up 227, then to 170 against Florida.
A week before Alabama compensate only 36 yards in Columbia, a set of different circumstances had limited number of yards rushing the tide against the Gators.Florida also attempted to move the box, but Alabama offense actually stayed out of the field in the second half as Florida gather a few long possessions but without success.
To a similar deficit against Arkansas, tide uses balance than did it in the Sur.Las Carolina two early second half together Alabama drives from falling behind the Razorbacks 20-7, pass execution ratio was from 9 to 25.
Columbia, Ingram got the ball in the only four races scheduled for the second half, with three coming in the first four played four scree of entretiempo.Esos compensate for 23 yards, but when five McElroy sacks were taken into account, the tide ran for a negative-1 playground of halftime.
"" I don't think that it puts much pressure on me,"said McElroy.""I think that being in that situation, we tried to throw the ball a little more and had some success through the aire.Sabemos we take when we get down in the red zone, and we have to limit errors when we get there simply decepcionante.No también.Es I can say that enough word."
The relationship between 36-a-315 rushing yards is unmistakable.
It is a far cry from symmetry, the Panel found against the State of Pennsylvania, Duke and Arkansas.La difference between pass and never equal total yards from more than 49 yards with most balance against Duke (315 yards rushing, passing 211).
Mississippi (3-2, 1-1) No. 8 9 night (ESPN2) (5-1, 2-1 SEC), Alabama
Line: Alabama by 21.
Record series: Alabama leads 43-9-2.
Last meeting: 2009, Alabama 22-3.
WHAT IS AT STAKE
Alabama wants to rebound from their first defeat of the regular season in 2 1/2 years and have little margin for error in the West of SEC.Mississippi could get another big confidence boost.
GAME KEY
Face of Alabama Crimson defender against the top sec scoring ofensa.La tide allowed 35 points Sur.Mississippi Carolina has haunted 97 points in his past two games.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Mississippi: RB Brandon Bolden, corridor No. 3 sec, averages 103,6 yards per game.He will go against a defence which had a streak of almost 40-game without a corridor opposite topping 100 yards South Carolina framework Lattimore-adjusted.
Alabama: RB Mark Ingram has been held in check and fasten the last two limited opportunities juegos.La tide could return to smash-mouth football after passing the first last Saturday.
FACTS & FIGURES
Mississippi 186 points are predominantly through five games since 1935 team had 205.... 22-3 Alabama win came last year of a stretch of four years, when the game was decided by 13 points total - all marea.bama victories won the last six meetings.... Alabama can match its winning streak over long third Bryant-Denny Stadium 18 matches.... rebels are second in a string of six opponents sec vs. Alabama straight after a bye.
-Associated Press
Mississippi (3-2, 1-1) No. 8 9 night (ESPN2) (5-1, 2-1 SEC), Alabama
Line: Alabama by 21.
Record series: Alabama leads 43-9-2.
Last meeting: 2009, Alabama 22-3.
WHAT IS AT STAKE
Alabama wants to rebound from their first defeat of the regular season in 2 1/2 years and have little margin for error in the West of SEC.Mississippi could get another big confidence boost.
GAME KEY
Face of Alabama Crimson defender against the top sec scoring ofensa.La tide allowed 35 points Sur.Mississippi Carolina has haunted 97 points in his past two games.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Mississippi: RB Brandon Bolden, corridor No. 3 sec, averages 103,6 yards per game.He will go against a defence which had a streak of almost 40-game without a corridor opposite topping 100 yards South Carolina framework Lattimore-adjusted.
Alabama: RB Mark Ingram has been held in check and fasten the last two limited opportunities juegos.La tide could return to smash-mouth football after passing the first last Saturday.
FACTS & FIGURES
Mississippi 186 points are predominantly through five games since 1935 team had 205.... 22-3 Alabama win came last year of a stretch of four years, when the game was decided by 13 points total - all marea.bama victories won the last six meetings.... Alabama can match its winning streak over long third Bryant-Denny Stadium 18 matches.... rebels are second in a string of six opponents sec vs. Alabama straight after a bye.
-Associated Press
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.
