Miss. State continues tail spin

By By Robbie Robertson/EMG sports writer
November 9, 2003
STARKVILLE Just when Mississippi State fans thought things couldn't get any worse, Alabama came calling.
In a collage of turnovers, missed tackles, poor field position and a lackluster offensive performance by Mississippi State, Alabama thrashed the Bulldogs 38-0 Saturday at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field.
In his last game against his alma matter, Jackie Sherrill saw his Bulldogs give one of the worst performances of his 13-year career at MSU.
The Bulldogs managed just 152 yards of total offense while Alabama rolled up 401 yards in an even balance of run and pass.
When asked if his team has thrown in the towel, Sherrill responded, "emotionally, that's probably true. We have to learn how to make plays and overcome some things. There is a reason why kids don't make plays and that comes from sometimes trying too hard or not having any confidence. There are still guys that are fighting but you can't blow that balloon back up."
Alabama took advantage of Mississippi State's poor tackling early. On the game's first series and facing a third-and-16, Brodie Croyle hit Zach Fletcher on a short gainer that turned into an 86-yard touchdown with 13:19 remaining in the first quarter for a 7-0 Alabama lead.
Mississippi State's bad luck carried over on its first possession. On a third-and-nine, Kevin Fant's pass to McKinley Scott was tipped and Alabama's Charlie Peprah made a diving interception at the Mississippi State 33.
For the hard-luck Crimson Tide, the Bulldogs were just what the doctor ordered.
It took the Crimson Tide three plays to find the end zone as Croyle hit Tyrone Prothro on an short pass that turned into a 17-yard touchdown with 11:28 left in the first quarter for a 14-0 Alabama lead.
After Brian Bostick booted a 38-yard field goal gave Alabama a 17-0 lead, more missed tackles haunted the Bulldogs.
This time, Alabama got the ball at the MSU 47 and moved quickly to the MSU 32 where the Crimson Tide faced a fourth-and-five. Croyle again found Fletcher on a short out pattern where the senior flanker made a move and raced 32 yards to paydirt with 5:22 left in the first half. Bostick's PAT gave Alabama a 24-0 lead that held until halftime.
The Bulldogs didn't even threaten to score, not getting the ball past the Alabama 30. When the Bulldogs did in the second half, penalties and sacks forced them out of field goal position.
Alabama sealed the coffin on the Bulldogs midway through the second half. The Crimson Tide went on a 15-play, 88-yard drive that took more than eight minutes off the clock. Shaud Williams capped off the drive as he plunged in from 3 yards out with 12:50 left in the game to give Alabama a 31-0 lead.
The Crimson Tide added a late fourth-quarter touchdown as Tim Castille scored on a 6-yard run with 1:19 left in the game.