Instant Analysis: No. 13 Alabama 24, No. 15 Ole Miss 10
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — What a difference a half makes.
Alabama resembled a pedestrian football team in the first half against Ole Miss on Saturday. The Crimson Tide limped into halftime trailing 7-6, only because the Rebels missed a late field goal.
A switch turned on in the second half, and Alabama outscored Ole Miss 19-3 to take the 24-10 win.
"I thought we played physical and competed well and dominated the line of scrimmage," Alabama coach Nick Saban said of the second-half effort. "We got them off the field on third down and kept them off the scoreboard. I was really pleased with how the team played in the second half."
The key moments happened after Jalen Milroe hit Jermaine Burton on a 54-yard bomb in the third quarter. A few plays later, Milroe connected with Jalen Hale for a highlight-reel 33-yard touchdown catch. Ty Simpson then bulled his way into the end zone for the two-point conversion to make it 17-7.
"The momentum of the game really shifted for us and the energy went up," Saban said of the plays. "I'm always happy to see guys make those type of plays."
The Crimson Tide defense limited the Rebels to just a field goal in the second half and 301 total yards. Milroe was was an efficient 17 of 21 passing for 225 yards and a touchdown.
Jase McClellan led the run game with 105 yards on 17 attempts with a touchdown. Burton and Hale led the receivers with 62 and 63 yards respectively.
Alabama (3-1, 1-0 SEC) plays at Mississippi State next week.
SEE ALSO:
Alabama Defense Quiets Kiffin's Ole Miss Offense
Alabama Starting Linebacker Ruled Day-to-Day with Ankle Injury
Everything Nick Saban Said After Alabama's 24-10 Win Over Ole Miss
