Russell accounts for four touchdowns as Alabama overwhelms Mississippi State 56–23

Keelon Russell accounted for four touchdowns, and No. 7 Alabama turned a matchup of unbeaten SEC teams into a 56–23 victory over No. 16 Mississippi State Saturday in Starkville. The Crimson Tide improved to 5–0 overall and 3–0 in conference play; Mississippi State dropped to 4–1 and 2–1.

Russell completed 16 of 22 passes for 285 yards and three touchdowns without an interception, adding a 17-yard scoring run. Trae’shawn Brown rushed for two touchdowns, Rico Scott caught two scoring passes, and Alabama’s defense supplied an early touchdown of its own.

The first quarter quickly put Mississippi State in pursuit. Kamario Taylor fumbled on the opening possession, and Alabama converted the recovery into Russell’s 15-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Coleman-Williams. On State’s next possession, Dijon Lee Jr. intercepted Taylor and returned the ball 30 yards for a touchdown, making it 14–0.

State recovered enough to keep the first half competitive. Taylor found Anthony Evans III for a two-yard touchdown and later hit Zion Ragins from 11 yards after an Alabama fumble. Brown’s seven-yard touchdown run restored a two-score cushion, but Kyle Ferrie’s 32-yard field goal left the Bulldogs down 28–17 at halftime.

The decisive stretch came immediately after the break. Alabama opened the third quarter with a 75-yard touchdown drive, finished by Russell’s 13-yard pass to Scott. Brown followed with an eight-yard scoring run on a short-field possession, and the lead expanded to 42–17 with 7:07 left in the quarter. State had stayed within reach for a half; those two touchdowns made its margin for another comeback much smaller.

Taylor and Evans connected again for a 45-yard touchdown, but State’s two-point attempt failed. Russell answered with an eight-yard touchdown pass to Scott in the fourth quarter, and backup quarterback Austin Mack’s three-yard rushing score completed Alabama’s afternoon.

Alabama outgained Mississippi State 483–302 and held a 179–18 advantage in rushing yards. Brown carried 14 times for 66 yards, while Lotzeir Brooks led the receivers with four catches for 96 yards. The Tide converted six of nine third downs, supporting the long drives that followed its initial defensive burst.

Evans was State’s most productive offensive player, catching 12 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns. Taylor threw for 258 yards and three scores but also had two interceptions. The Associated Press reported that Taylor had been dealing with an ankle injury from the previous week; running back Fluff Bothwell carried only once and watched the second half in a boot on his left foot.

Alabama hosts Georgia on October 10 in another meeting of unbeaten SEC teams. Mississippi State has a bye before visiting LSU on October 17, giving the Bulldogs time to address the offensive problems exposed Saturday.