Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Alabama Crimson Tide: live game updates, statistics, and play-by-play

Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Alabama Crimson Tide: Live Game Updates, Statistics, and Play-by-Play

Pre-Game Overview

The Mississippi State Bulldogs, led by head coach Zach Arnett, are preparing to face off against the Alabama Crimson Tide, coached by Nick Saban, in a highly anticipated SEC matchup. Both teams come into this game with a lot at stake. Mississippi State is looking to secure a pivotal win to boost its position in the SEC standings, while Alabama is looking to stay on track for a playoff berth.

The Bulldogs come into the game with a strong offense led by quarterback Will Rogers, who is known for his precision passing and ability to move the ball efficiently through the air. The Crimson Tide, on the other hand, boasts one of the top defenses in the country, led by defensive lineman Jaheim Oatis, and their offense is spearheaded by quarterback Jalen Milroe, a dual-threat quarterback capable of breaking down defenses with both his arm and his legs.

As the teams take the field, the crowd is buzzing with excitement. Tuscaloosa is packed with Alabama fans eager to see their team defend home turf. The weather is perfect for football, with clear skies and temperatures in the low 70s. Let’s dive into the action!

First Quarter

Opening Kickoff: Alabama wins the toss and elects to defer, meaning Mississippi State will receive the ball first. The game begins with a deep kickoff from Alabama’s kicker, Will Reichard, sending the ball into the end zone for a touchback. Mississippi State will start at their own 25-yard line.

Mississippi State’s Opening Drive:

1st & 10: Will Rogers lines up in the shotgun. He fakes the handoff to running back Jo’quavious Marks and quickly delivers a short pass to wide receiver Rufus Harvey for a gain of 7 yards.
2nd & 3: Rogers takes the snap and hands off to Marks, who finds a crease up the middle for a solid 5-yard gain, moving the chains.
1st & 10: Rogers drops back to pass and surveys the field. He finds tight end Austin Williams over the middle for a 12-yard gain and another first down.
1st & 10 at the Alabama 41-yard line: Rogers attempts a deep shot down the sideline for wide receiver Lideatrick Griffin, but the pass is overthrown. Incomplete.
2nd & 10: On the following play, Marks takes the handoff and gains 4 yards, bringing up a manageable 3rd & 6.
3rd & 6: Rogers drops back, but Alabama’s defense brings pressure. Rogers scrambles to his right and tries to fit the ball into tight coverage for Griffin, but the pass is knocked down by Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner.
4th & 6: Mississippi State is forced to punt. The punt is high and fair caught at the Alabama 12-yard line by Jermaine Burton.

Alabama’s Opening Drive:

1st & 10 at the 12-yard line: Jalen Milroe takes the snap and hands off to running back Jase McClellan. McClellan finds a hole off the left side and picks up 9 yards.
2nd & 1: Milroe fakes the handoff and keeps it himself on a read option. He powers his way for a 6-yard gain, moving the ball into Mississippi State territory.
1st & 10 at the Mississippi State 47-yard line: Milroe drops back to pass and throws a short route to Burton, who breaks a tackle and picks up 14 yards, moving the chains.
1st & 10 at the 33-yard line: Alabama goes with another run, this time with Roydell Williams, who gains 3 yards before being brought down by linebacker Nathaniel Watson.
2nd & 7: Milroe takes a shot deep down the field for wide receiver Isaiah Bond, but the pass is incomplete as Mississippi State’s secondary applies pressure.
3rd & 7: Milroe drops back and surveys the field. He finds Burton on a slant route for 7 yards, enough for a first down at the Mississippi State 20-yard line.
1st & 10: Milroe drops back to pass again and is under heavy pressure. He scrambles to his left and tries to throw the ball away, but Mississippi State’s defensive lineman Cameron Young gets a hand on it, knocking the ball incomplete.
2nd & 10: Milroe hands off to McClellan, who is stopped after a 2-yard gain. Mississippi State’s defense is swarming to the ball.
3rd & 8: Milroe tries a quick throw to Bond, but the pass is broken up by Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes.
4th & 8: Alabama is forced to settle for a field goal attempt. Reichard steps up and nails a 38-yard field goal through the uprights. Alabama leads 3-0 with 7:45 remaining in the first quarter.

Mississippi State’s Second Drive:

1st & 10 at the 25-yard line: Rogers takes the snap and hands off to Marks, who picks up 4 yards on the ground.
2nd & 6: Rogers connects with wide receiver Caleb Ducking on a 6-yard gain, moving the chains.
1st & 10: Mississippi State continues to mix in runs and passes. Marks takes the handoff again, and he’s stuffed for a 1-yard loss by Alabama’s defensive line.
2nd & 11: Rogers looks for a quick pass to Griffin on the outside, but the ball is dropped. Incomplete.
3rd & 11: Rogers tries to make a play, but he’s under pressure from Turner. He throws an off-balance pass toward Ducking, but the pass falls incomplete.
4th & 11: Mississippi State is forced to punt once again. The punt is fair caught at the Alabama 22-yard line.

Second Quarter

Alabama’s Second Drive:

1st & 10 at the 22-yard line: Milroe drops back to pass and completes a 10-yard out route to Burton, moving the chains.
1st & 10: Milroe keeps it on the read option and picks up 4 yards before being tackled by Mississippi State’s defensive back Jalen Green.
2nd & 6: Milroe again hands off to McClellan, who spins away from a tackler and gains 8 yards for another first down.
1st & 10 at the Mississippi State 45-yard line: Milroe looks deep for Bond, but the pass is overthrown, and Mississippi State’s defense breathes a sigh of relief.
2nd & 10: Milroe looks for a quick slant to Burton, but the throw is too high and falls incomplete.
3rd & 10: Milroe tries a deep shot down the middle for Bond, but it’s intercepted by Mississippi State safety Jalen Green! Green returns it 15 yards before being brought down at the Alabama 47-yard line.

Mississippi State’s Third Drive:

1st & 10 at the Alabama 47-yard line: Rogers looks for a quick pass to Marks out of the backfield, but the pass is incomplete as Marks drops it under pressure.
2nd & 10: Rogers connects with Ducking on a 10-yard slant route to move the chains.
1st & 10 at the 37-yard line: Rogers finds Austin Williams for a quick 7-yard gain over the middle.
2nd & 3: Marks takes the handoff again, this time gaining 5 yards for another first down.
1st & 10 at the 25-yard line: Rogers drops back and is under pressure. He quickly gets rid of the ball, finding Ducking for a short 5-yard gain.
2nd & 5: Marks takes the handoff again, pushing the pile for a 3-yard gain. It’s now 3rd & 2.
3rd & 2: Rogers fakes the handoff and keeps it himself for a 4-yard gain, picking up another first down.
1st & 10 at the 13-yard line: Rogers looks for the end zone, but the pass is broken up by Alabama’s cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry.
2nd & 10: Rogers finds Ducking on a quick 6-yard pass, bringing up 3rd & 4.
3rd & 4: Rogers delivers a perfect pass to Marks in the flat, and Marks races into the end zone for a 7-yard touchdown! Mississippi State takes a 7-3 lead with 5:30 left in the second quarter.

Alabama’s Third Drive:

1st & 10 at the 25-yard line: Milroe comes out firing and completes a quick 8-yard pass to Burton.
2nd & 2: Milroe hands off to McClellan, who picks up 4 yards and another first down.
1st & 10: Milroe tries to go deep for Bond, but the pass is deflected at the line of scrimmage by Mississippi State defensive tackle Randy Charlton.
2nd & 10: McClellan gains 3 yards on the ground, setting up 3rd & 7.
3rd & 7: Milroe connects with Williams on a quick slant for a 9-yard gain, moving the chains into Mississippi State territory.
1st & 10 at the 43-yard line: Milroe drops back, but Mississippi State’s defense applies pressure. He scrambles to his right and heaves a pass for Burton, but it’s intercepted by Forbes at the 15-yard line! Forbes returns the pick 20 yards before being tackled.

Mississippi State’s Fourth Drive:

1st & 10 at the 35-yard line: Rogers connects with Williams for 6 yards over the middle.
2nd & 4: Marks gains 3 yards on the ground, setting up 3rd & 1.
3rd & 1: Rogers sneaks it up the middle for a 2-yard gain and another first down.
1st & 10: Marks takes the handoff for a 4-yard gain.
2nd & 6: Rogers completes a pass to Griffin for 9 yards, moving the chains to the Alabama 45-yard line.
1st & 10: The quarter ends with the score Mississippi State 7, Alabama 3.

Halftime: The Bulldogs lead 7-3 in a tightly contested game. Both teams have had their moments, but Mississippi State’s defense has been the difference so far, with two crucial interceptions off Milroe. The Bulldogs’ offense has been efficient, led by Rogers, who has managed to find success through the air and on the ground.