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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Behind four passing touchdowns from freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts, No. 1 Alabama cruised to a 51-3 victory over Mississippi State in Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday. Three of Hurts' touchdown passes went to ArDarius Stewart, as both parts of the duo had career days.
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"ArDarius had a big day today so that was really a positive for us," Alabama coach Nick Saban said. "Jalen also having 100 yards rushing is something that's never been done here before, with 300 yards passing and 100 yards rushing. That's something that we can be proud of."
Mississippi State got on the board on its opening drive of the second half after kicker Westin Graves made a 47-yard field goal to cut it to 30-3.
Midway through the third quarter, Hurts found Stewart for a 15-yard touchdown pass to give Alabama a 37-3 lead.
Hurts and Stewart would connect again for a 20-yard score to push Alabama's margin to 44-3.
Hurts finished the day 28 of 37 for 347 yards and four touchdowns with one interception. He rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.
"He is a fast guy and a great decision maker," Mississippi State linebacker Richie Brown said. "He knows when to tuck it and run and he made some good plays today."
Stewart hauled in eight passes for 156 yards and three touchdowns.
Freshman receiver Trevon Diggs added a late touchdown to make it 51-3.
On its opening drive of the game, Alabama swiftly moved the ball downfield with runs and kick passes from Hurts. But the promising drive ended with a field goal.
Kicker Adam Griffith was good from 30 yards to give Alabama a 3-0 lead.
After Alabama's defense forced Mississippi State to punt, the Crimson Tide found the end zone on its second possession of the game.
Hurts hit Calvin Ridley for a four-yard touchdown pass to make it 10-0 with 8:23 left in the first quarter.
"I was really pleased with the way we got started today," Saban said. "I know it's been a long time since we scored a touchdown in the first quarter after the LSU game.
"I was worried about a little relief syndrome after that game last week, but I was really pleased with the way our players came out and started fast."
Graves missed a 47-yard field goal attempt on the Bulldogs' next drive.
Early in the second quarter, Stewart caught a pop pass from Hurts and ran 67 yards for the score to push Alabama's lead to 17-0.
On its next drive, the Tide pushed the ball down the field with ease. The result was a four-yard touchdown run by Hurts to make it 24-0.
Griffith added a 28-yard field goal late in the second quarter to push it to 27-0.
As time expired in the first half, Griffith connected on a 39-yard field goal to make it 30-0 at the break.
"Alabama obviously has a great football team," Mullen said. "As I said, they have great players from top to bottom. Their guys that aren't even on the field, can't get on the field, they'll probably start for most teams in the country."
NOTES: Alabama was without its top two right guards because of injuries, as Alphonse Taylor didn't dress was the game, and Lester Cotton didn't play. Senior Korren Kirven made his first career start at right guard. ... Alabama (10-0, 7-0 SEC) hosts Chattanooga in Bryant-Denny Stadium next Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on either ESPN2 or ESPNU. ... Mississippi State (4-6, 2-4) hosts Arkansas in Davis Wade Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
