Alabama continued its flawless start to the season with a commanding 56-23 victory over Mississippi State in a Top 25 SEC showdown at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville on Saturday, October 3, 2026.
Tide march to 5-0
The Crimson Tide scored 14 points in every quarter — 14-14-14-14 — while Mississippi State managed 7-10-6-0. The win moved Alabama to 5-0 overall and 3-0 in SEC play in a matchup that had been billed around the two quarterbacks.
Quarterback Keelon Russell delivered a standout performance, throwing three touchdown passes — a 15-yard strike to Ryan Coleman-Williams and connections of 13 and 8 yards to Rico Scott — while also running in a 17-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Trae'shawn Brown added two rushing scores, from 7 and 8 yards.
Defense sets the tone
Alabama's defense forced three turnovers from Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor. Dijon Lee Jr. returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter, Caleb Woodson added another pick, and Taylor also lost a fumble on the opening drive. The pick-six was Alabama's fourth in five games this season.
State fades late
Mississippi State stayed in touch early, trailing only 28-17 at halftime. Taylor threw touchdown passes of 11 yards to Zion Ragins and 2 and 45 yards to Anthony Evans III. But the Bulldogs went scoreless in the fourth quarter, and backup quarterback Austin Mack's 3-yard touchdown run pushed Alabama past the 50-point mark.
Sources:
Roll Tide Wire / USA Today: Alabama vs Mississippi State recap
Tide march to 5-0
The Crimson Tide scored 14 points in every quarter — 14-14-14-14 — while Mississippi State managed 7-10-6-0. The win moved Alabama to 5-0 overall and 3-0 in SEC play in a matchup that had been billed around the two quarterbacks.
Quarterback Keelon Russell delivered a standout performance, throwing three touchdown passes — a 15-yard strike to Ryan Coleman-Williams and connections of 13 and 8 yards to Rico Scott — while also running in a 17-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Trae'shawn Brown added two rushing scores, from 7 and 8 yards.
Defense sets the tone
Alabama's defense forced three turnovers from Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor. Dijon Lee Jr. returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter, Caleb Woodson added another pick, and Taylor also lost a fumble on the opening drive. The pick-six was Alabama's fourth in five games this season.
State fades late
Mississippi State stayed in touch early, trailing only 28-17 at halftime. Taylor threw touchdown passes of 11 yards to Zion Ragins and 2 and 45 yards to Anthony Evans III. But the Bulldogs went scoreless in the fourth quarter, and backup quarterback Austin Mack's 3-yard touchdown run pushed Alabama past the 50-point mark.
Sources:
Roll Tide Wire / USA Today: Alabama vs Mississippi State recap
