The Crimson Tide was able to bounce back from last week’s loss at home to LSU as head coach Nick Saban and the team went into Starkville and defeated Mississippi State 38-7. But it wasn’t all smiles after this one as Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa left the game due to a hip injury.
Tagovailoa suffered the injury late in the second quarter while Alabama was up 35-7. He was reportedly able to convince Saban to get one more drive in a decision the head coach now regrets.
Before leaving the game Tagovailoa completed 14 of 18 passes for 256 yards and two touchdowns.
RELATED: Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa taken to hospital for a reported hip injury
Tagoviloa wasn’t the only member of the team to leave the game with an injury. Defensive linemen Raekwon Davis and DJ Dale both left the game with what appeared to be lower-body injuries. Davis was later seen on the sidelines in a boot with crutches. Alabama’s defense has already had its share of major injuries and can not afford any other serious loses.
Wide receiver Henry Ruggs also left the game during the third quarter due to injury.
On a more positive note, offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian was able to get another huge performance out of running back Najee Harris. Harris who has been on a tear for the last several games proved even more so that he is among the best backs in the country.
He set the tone right from the first quarter as he found his way into the end zone three times and finished the half with four total touchdowns.
When he exited the game Harris capped off his day with 88 rushing yards, 3 catches for 51 yards and four total touchdowns.
Other notable offensive performances:
WR Jerry Jeudy seven catches 144 yards
WR DeVonta Smith six catches 92 yards
QB Mac Jones 7/11 94 yards
Defensively, Pete Golding and the defense were able to hold running back Kylin Robinson in check. Ahead of Robinson also leaving with an injury, he had 35 yards on 16 carries giving him an average of 2.2 yards per rush.
Mississippi State quarterback Tommy Stevens was able to make some plays with his legs but was not able to do so through the air. Freshman linebacker Shane Lee picked off Stevens on his first pass of the game which set up a Crimson Tide touchdown.
Other notable defensive performances:
MLB Shane Lee 10 tackles, one interception, one quarterback hit
OLB Anfernee Jennings eight tackles, one tackle for loss
DB Xavier McKinney five tackles, two pass breakups
Nick Saban will have his post-game press conference following the game where he will address the injury to Tagovailoa.
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
