The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Bama dominates to extend streak against Vols to 11-0
Bo Scarbrough had two fourth-down touchdown runs as No. 1 Alabama continued its domination of rival Tennessee with a 45-7 victory Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
The Crimson Tide (8-0, 5-0 Southeastern Conference) improved to 11-0 in the traditional Third Saturday in October game under coach Nick Saban while dealing another blow to the slumping Volunteers (3-4, 0-4) and embattled coach Butch Jones.
Alabama outgained Tennessee 604-108 in yards even with reserves during most of the second half.
Scarbrough’s 1-yard scores came with defensive linemen Da’Ron Payne and Quinnen Williams as lead blockers.
Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts capped the opening second-half drive with a 14-yard touchdown pass to tight end Irv Smith and then watched from the sidelines the rest of the way.
The Vols did snap a streak of 12-plus quarters without a touchdown after that move. Linebacker Daniel Bituli intercepted Tua Tagovailoa’s pass and raced 97 yards for a touchdown.
Tagovailoa added big plays after his mistake. He scored on a 23-yard run and then hit fellow freshman Henry Ruggs III for a 60-yard TD.
Mississippi State 45, Kentucky 7: Nick Fitzgerald totaled 270 yards and three touchdowns as the Bulldogs dominated from the opening quarter in Starkville, Miss., to leave both teams 5-2 and 2-2 in the league. Mississippi State finished with 441 yards and averaged 5.9 per play.
Fitzgerald, a junior, led all rushers with 115 yards and became just the sixth SEC quarterback to rush for over 2,000 career yards. He was also 18 of 26 passing for 155 yards and a touchdown.
The Wildcats had just 260 yards and 14 first downs against one of the nation’s top defenses. They trailed 17-7 at the half and crossed midfield on only three drives all game. Stephen Johnson threw two interceptions, including an 84-yard picksix by Gerri Green.
Missouri 68, Idaho 21: Shaking off a five-game skid, Tigers unleashed their passing attack to torch the Vandals in Columbia, Mo., and leave both teams 2-5.
In a team meeting Monday, Missouri coach Barry Odom set ablaze scouting reports, game plans and other remnants of the season so far. “I think the display in the team meeting room Monday was perfect,” quarterback Drew Lock said. “I think we’re all buying into the whole second season.”
Lock completed 23 of 33 passes for 467 yards and six touchdowns. He fell one touchdown pass short of the school record he set in the season opener. J’Mon Moore caught 11 passes for 174 yards and a touchdown.