TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- No. 1 Alabama trailed Ole Miss, if ever so briefly. And then the Crimson Tide remembered what it is to be the No. 1 team in the country playing in front of its home crowd, scoring three unanswered touchdowns to lead the Rebels 27-7 at halftime.
Stat of the half: Alabama fell behind for the first time all season -- for 15 seconds. Following the Ole Miss touchdown, Christion Jones took the kickoff 99 yards for the touchdown.
Player of the half: For at least one half, it looked as if AJ McCarron had found a go-to receiver in true freshman Amari Cooper. The former top-10 receiver out of high school hauled in two touchdown passes and six total catches.
What's working for Alabama: Alabama's defense smothered Ole Miss quarterback Bo Wallace, limiting the dual-threat signal caller, forcing coach Hugh Freeze to try his hand with backup Barry Brunetti and running back Randall Mackey under center. All told, Ole Miss quarterbacks were 8-of-16 for 70 yards and three interceptions.
What's not working for Alabama: Alabama lost starting receiver DeAndrew White on the first drive of the game to an apparent knee injury. The junior went to the locker room and returned to the sidelines in street clothes on crutches.
