Mississippi State football smacked at Alabama, matches SEC-worst losing skid vs. Nick Saban

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Mississippi State football had the recipe to pull off a major upset Saturday at No. 6 Alabama.

The Bulldogs were aggressive on offense. They delivered big hits on defense. They utilized Lideatrick Griffin and Simeon Price in the kick return game.

But to beat Nick Saban’s Alabama, effort must be met with execution. Mississippi State (5-3, 2-3 SEC) left that ingredient out in a30-6loss at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

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MSU’s second drive, after forcing an Alabama three-and-out on its opening drive, ended with a fourth down incompletion from quarterback Will Rogers to Jaden Walley inside the red zone.

The following drive, with Alabama up 7-0, ended with a missed 43-yard field goal by Massimo Biscardi. The next drive ended with another incompletion to Walley on fourth-and-1 just outside the red zone.

MSU ran 48 plays to Alabama’s 28 in the first half, but while the Bulldogs collected yards, the Tide stacked up points.

Mississippi State failed on its biggest opportunities and found a familiar result against Alabama.

Losing streak continues

Mississippi State has lost 15 straight games against Alabama dating back to 2008. That matches Arkansas for the longest active losing streak against the Tide among SEC teams.

MSU hasn’t beaten Alabama since 2007 — Saban’s first season. The hiring of Mike Leach has done little to tighten the series. All three matchups under Leach have been decided by multiple scores.

Secondary: Depleted and defeated

Mississippi State has dealt with plenty of injuries this season. Center LaQuinston Sharp, running back Dillon Johnson and defensive lineman Jaden Crumedy were sideline Saturday.

The secondary was one of the few areas MSU was at full strength. That didn’t last long.

Early in the second quarter, safety Jackie Matthews was penalized for targeting following a hit on Alabama receiver Isaiah Bond. The West Virginia transfer was ejected.

Alabama exposed the struggling secondary with a plethora of explosive plays. Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young completed five passes of 15-plus yards in the first half, igniting Alabama to a 24-0 lead. Two of those completions went for more than 30 yards.

Penalties prove pivotal

Mississippi State and Alabama entered Saturday as two of the three most penalized teams in the SEC.

MSU’s struggles continued. The Bulldogs collected five penalties in the first half. Including Matthews’ ejection, three penalties went for at least 15 yards.

Defensive end Jordan Davis, on a questionable play, was called for roughing the passer just before Matthews’ targeting. Nathan Pickering was called for roughing on Young soon after.

Honoring Sam Westmoreland

This was Mississippi State’s first game since the death of freshman offensive lineman Wednesday. MSU added stickers with Westmoreland’s initials and No. 78 onto its helmets.

Missouri and Vanderbilt added similar stickers as well.

Westmoreland was honored prior to the playing of the national anthem at Bryant-Denny Stadium with a moment of silence.

What’s next?

Mississippi State has an open date next weekend. Off the break, the home stretch of the season begins.

MSU opens a stretch of three straight at home Nov. 5 against Auburn. Mississippi State then plays host to No. 1 Georgia and East Tennessee State.

The regular seasons ends with a trip to Oxford for the Egg Bowl on Nov. 24. Mississippi State is 0-2 coming off an open date in Leach’s tenure. However, both matchups have come against Alabama.

Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @skrajisnik3.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State football smacked at Alabama, lose again to Nick Saban