Tide Roll To Sixth Straight Victory Over Ole Miss

October 10, 2009

Oxford, Mississippi- The Alabama Crimson Tide rolled into rebel territory having won the last five meetings against Ole Miss.; the last four having been decided by a combined thirteen points.

            Today’s game however, did not follow suit.  A nearly impenetrable Alabama defense, turnovers, and field goals were the story of this game as the Tide defeated the rebels 22-3 improving to 6-0 and sitting atop the SEC West.

            The first half of this game was a defensive battle and it looked as though Alabama and Old Miss were poised for another tight game.  Even with QB Jevan Snead throwing two interceptions and having a punt blocked inside their own ten yard line, Ole Miss held the crimson helmets to three field goals, trailing by only 9 points.

 The Alabama defense was relentless however, and the Rebels’ offense nonexistent.  With a tired Ole Miss defense on the field for over two-thirds of the first half, it is no surprise Alabama was able to score a late first half touchdown.  With under a minute to play in the first half, Alabama running back Mark Ingram ran for 36 yards and scored his seventh touchdown of the season giving the Tide a 16-0 lead going into the half.

            Nevertheless, Ole Miss Coach Houston Nutt should have been thankful that the game was not completely out of reach.  Alabama’s defense was near perfect in the first half, surrendering only one first down, 19 total yards, and allowing the Rebels’ offense just under nine minutes on the field.

In order to get back in the game, Snead needed to protect the football and the Ole Miss offense needed to figure out a way to poke some holes in the Alabama defense.

In the third quarter it seemed as though Ole Miss had found some offensive rhythm.  They put together a 60 yard drive on 9 plays in just over three minutes, leading to a field goal.  This would leave the Rebels with a manageable 13 point deficit with a quarter and a half to play.

Ole Miss remained strong on defense and forced Alabama to punt on their next possession.  On the punt return however, Dexter McCluster would fumble the football and Alabama would recover.  Strong pressure on Tide QB Greg McElroy kept Alabama out of the end zone and settling for their fourth field goal of the game.

Early in the fourth quarter Snead threw his third interception, which was run back 79 yards by Alabama corner back Kareem Jackson.  Ole Miss was given new life though when they recovered an Alabama fumble on the first play after the interception.

But any chance Ole Miss had for a comeback was quickly squashed when Snead through his fourth interception of the game into the hands of middle line-backer Rolando McClain.  This set up kicker Leigh Tiffin for his fifth field goal of the game, giving Alabama a 22-3 lead with just over eight minutes to play in the fourth quarter. 

The story of the day from Oxford is certainly the Alabama defense.  They held Ole Miss to 197 yards, one third down conversion, and one field goal.  Rebel QB Jevan Snead finished 11 of 35 for 140 yards with 4 interceptions.  Dexter McCluster, Ole Miss’ chief offensive weapon, gained just 15 yards on 6 carries, 22 yards on 3 receptions, and was responsible for one of his team’s five turnovers.

Alabama’s offense, also, was largely shut down by a strong Ole Miss defense.  Bama running back Mark Ingram carried the ball 28 times for 173 yards and scored the game’s only touchdown.  Tiffin deserves praise for his consistency, making all five of his field goal attempts and an extra point, accounting for 16 of Alabama’s 22 points.  Still, the Ole Miss defense should be proud of the effort they left on the field today.    

But again, the day belongs to the Alabama defensemen, who shut down the Rebels’ offense, forced turnovers, and kept the Tide in great field position throughout the game.

Alabama, who did not get the attention and recognition it deserved prior to this season, should not be overlooked as a possible National Championship team.  Their defense is as good as anyone’s in the nation.  Their next three games are at home in Tuscaloosa, the final game of that home-stand being SEC West rival LSU.  With a bye-week prior to hosting the Tigers, be sure that Alabama will be well rested and that Coach Nick Saban will have his team ready for a defensive throw down on November 7^th at Bryant-Denny Stadium.  

--Gregory Joss