College Sports

Tua, Smith lead No. 2 Alabama to 59-31 rout of Mississippi

Posted September 28, 2019 7:00 am

By JOHN ZENOR

Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) leaps into the air for his fourth touchdown reception well ahead of coverage from Mississippi defensive back Keidron Smith (20) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) The Associated Press

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) - Tua Tagovailoa and DeVonta Smith hooked up for five touchdown passes and a few school records while No. 2 Alabama ran away from Mississippi 59-31 on Saturday.

The Crimson Tide (5-0, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) actually trailed for the first time this season before flexing its muscles against the 37 1/2-point underdogs. The Rebels (2-3, 1-1) couldn't even slow down Smith, who sometimes gets overshadowed in a loaded receiving group.

Not this game. Smith had 11 catches for school records of 274 yards and five TDs, all by early in the third quarter. He had 221 yards by halftime, and added a 27-yard score to punctuate the biggest game of any Tide receiver.

Tagovailoa passed for a school-record six touchdowns and rushed for a seventh. He had matched the record of five TD passes in two straight games but finally eclipsed it in the fourth quarter.

He completed 26 of 36 passes for 418 yards.

It wasn't all smooth sailing for the Tide, even with a blocked punt for a touchdown tossed in.

Ole Miss turned a muffed punt into a score and then took a 10-7 lead on Luke Logan's 33-yard field goal. Alabama's first deficit of the season lasted 3: 44.

Then Alabama scored 31 points in the second quarter.

The Rebels started backup quarterback John Rhys Plumlee with Matt Corral sidelined with bruised ribs sustained in a loss to California.

Plumlee passed for two touchdowns and ran for a third. He finished 10-of-28 passing for 141 yards with an interception, and ran 25 times for 109 yards.

TUA'S RECORD WATCH

Tagovailoa's touchdown run in the second quarter was the 81st TD passing and rushing of his career, passing AJ McCarron for the school record. He also ultimately tied McCarron's 77 scoring passes.

REICHARD OUT

Former starting kicker Joseph Bulovas replaced an injured Will Reichard (hip flexor). Bulovas made a 36-yard field goal and hit the right upright on a 28-yarder.

THE TAKEAWAY

Mississippi: Rebounded from a tough loss to Cal by starting 4 of 5 on third-down conversions. Had 476 total yards and 279 on the ground against the Tide.

Alabama: Had some struggles defensively but the offense produced even more big plays than usual. Ale Kaho both blocked and recovered the punt for a touchdown.

UP NEXT

Mississippi hosts Vanderbilt Saturday night.

Alabama gets its first open date before visiting No. 23 Texas A&M on Oct. 12.

___

More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball , http://www.twitter.com/AP_Top25 and https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ap-top-25-college-football-podcast

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (13) throws long during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) The Associated Press

Alabama head coach Nick Saban yells at the referees during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) The Associated Press

Mississippi head coach Matt Luke looks on after a referee's call during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Alabama, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) The Associated Press

Alabama offensive lineman Landon Dickerson (69) lifts Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) to celebrate Smith's touchdown against Mississippi during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) The Associated Press

Mississippi quarterback John Rhys Plumlee (10) celebrates his touchdown run against Alabama during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) The Associated Press

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