University of Alabama Versus Mississippi 2009
Number 2 Crimson Tide Remains Unbeaten with Physical Win Over Rebels
The University of Alabama took advantage of five turnovers by the Mississippi Rebels to power their way to a strong 22 – 3 win on Saturday, October 10th during Southeastern Conference (SEC) action in Oxford, MS. The Crimson Tide’s (6 – 0, 3 – 0 SEC) overwhelming defense intercepted Mississippi’s (3 – 2, 1 – 2 SEC) quarterback Jevan Snead four times and forced a fumble by D. McCluster to hold Ole Miss to three points.
Crimson Tide’s Mark Ingram ran for a career high 172 yards and one touchdown, along with 5 field goals by Leigh Tiffin, to lead Number 2 Alabama to its sixth straight victory. The Alabama leads the Mississippi series 46 – 9 – 2 with six straight wins, including a record of 23 – 2 dating back to the 1977 season. The Crimson tide has won its last three trips to Oxford, MS.
Crimson Tide Football: First Half Action
The first quarter was primarily a defensive struggle. Alabama’s first drive lasted 1:46 minutes and ended with P. J. Fitzgerald completing the first of his six punts for the day. Mississippi’s first drive lasted 1:20 seconds and ended with the first of Snead’s four pass interceptions when the Tide’s Justin Woodall intercepted his pass.
The next drive by the Crimson Tide and Ole Miss also ended in punts as the both defenses proved up to the task of controlling the other team’s offense. Alabama finally put together a 12 play drive going for 58 yards, resulting in the first of Leigh Tiffin’s five field goals for the game. Mississippi got the ball back and was forced to punt again after a three and out.
As the first quarter came to close, the Crimson Tide controlled the ball for 11:19 minutes and ended with the Tide leading 3 – 0.
Alabama football players dominated the Rebels during the second quarter. Tiffin completed two more field goals, 21 and 22 yards each. Mark Ingram rushed for 36 yards to score a touchdown on a 4th and 1 play with 55 seconds remaining in the second quarter. This would prove to be the game’s only touchdown. Alabama’s defense held Mississippi to three punts and another Snead interception by Javier Arenas.
The Crimson Tide controlled the ball for 10:39 seconds for a total of 20:58 minutes during the half. The first half ended with Alabama leading 16 – 0.
Alabama Crimson Tide Football: Second Half Action
The third quarter proved to be another defensive struggle for both teams. Alabama and Mississippi both punted one time. The Crimson Tide held Mississippi to a red zone field goal at the Alabama’s seven yard line. This would also prove to be Ole Miss’s only score for the game.
Alabama continued to struggle in the red zone as the Rebel defense stopped the Crimson Tide on their four yard line. The Tide’s Tiffin kicked his fourth field goal of the game for 21 yards, with 1:12 minutes remaining in the quarter. The third quarter came to a close with time possession split evenly between both teams and Alabama leading 19 – 0.
The fourth quarter’s first drive by Mississippi ended with Snead’s third interception by the Tide’s Kareem Jackson, who returned it for 79 yards to Ole Miss’s 16 yard line. Alabama’s first play after the interception resulted in a fumble by Trent Richardson on the 9 yard line and recovered by the Rebel’s Jeremy McGhee.
After four play’s, Ole Miss’s Snead threw his fourth interception of the day to Rolando McClain. This interception lead to Tiffin’s fifth field goal for the day, as Alabama football still could not overcome Mississippi’s red zone defense.
The remainder of the fourth quarter resulted in Mississippi and Alabama moving the ball up and down the field with no result. The game ended with the Crimson Tide controlling the ball for 38:19 minutes and winning the game 22 – 3.
Alabama Football: Wrap Up and Future Schedule
Although Alabama football struggled in the red zone during the game, McElroy completed 15 of 34 passes for 147 yards and Marquis Maze was the leading receiver with four receptions for 48 yards. Julio Jones was second, catching four passes for 42 yards.
Rushing offense for the Tide gained 200 yards, with Ingram dominating with 172 yards rushing, for a total offense of 354 yards. Alabama’s defense held Mississippi’s offense to 140 yards passing and 72 yards rushing for a total of 212 yards.
The Number 2 team, University of Alabama, will play Number 22 University of South Carolina (5 – 1, 2 – 1 SEC) on Saturday October 17th at home to continue more Southeastern Conference action for the Crimson Tide.
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