Tide earns 2nd shutout inarow

NO. 1 ALABAMA 24, NO. 18 MISS. ST. 0

TUSCA LOOSA , A L A . » Josh Jacobs ran for a touchdown and caught a scoring pass and No. 1 Alabama had its second straight shutout in a 24-0 victory over No. 18 Mississippi State on Saturday.

With quarterback Tua Tagovailoa still battling a gimpy right knee, the Crimson Tide (10-0, 7-0 Southeastern Conference, No. 1 CFP) turned to defense for another great show.

The offense raced to a fast start but mostly stalled from there against the Bulldogs (6-4, 2-4) and the nation’s No. 2 scoring defense.

Tagovailoa started the fourth quarter on a stationary bike after getting his right knee checked out in the medical tent following a hard hit. He didn’t return and wasn’t needed, mainly because of a defense that was overshadowed much of the season by an offense that had led the nation in scoring much of the season.

Fresh from a 29-0 victory over No. 9 LSU, the Tide defense hasn’t allowed a point in nine-plus quarters.

Alabama had five sacks and Mississippi State had four in a rough day for both quarterbacks.

Tagovailoa was a 14-of-21 passing for 164 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He also lost a fumble on a botched exchange with Damien Harris.

Backup Jalen Hurts missed his second straight game with an ankle injury.

Jacobs ran for 97 yards on 20 carries as Alabama. He scored on a 1-yard run and a 14-yard catch.

The Bulldogs stuffed Harris on the goal line on a late fourth-down attempt.

Nick Fitzgerald was 11-of-20 for 125 yards for Mississippi State, which gained just 44 yards on 30 rushes.