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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) -- Alabama finally resembled the nation's
third-ranked team -- although it waited six weeks to do so.
With backup quarterback Andrew Zow leading the charge, Alabama
played like the juggernaut it was billed to be in a 45-7 victory
over Mississippi (No. 25 ESPN/USA Today) on Saturday night.
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Saturday, Oct. 14
It's all been working for Alabama recently. The Tide is starting to get things together. They're playing good defense right now and the offense is starting to come around under Andrew Zow.
Unfortunately, Tyler Watts is out for the season with an injury. But this
team may rally under a single quarterback.
Don't be surprised if Alabama recovers from its early-season nightmare to challenge for the SEC West title. The Tide's game at Mississippi St on Nov. 11 figures to send the winner to the SEC championship game.
Mike Dubose has been buried and resurrected before. It just might be happening again.
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Zow completed 18-of-22 passes for 261 yards in easily the
strongest offensive and defensive outings of the season for Alabama
(3-3, 3-1 Southeastern Conference). Alabama scored the game's final
39 points.
Zow has come off the bench two straight games to lead resurgent
Alabama to victory after their worst start in 10 years. He came in
after starter Tyler Watts tore ligaments in his left knee on the
opening series.
"This is a very important win," coach Mike DuBose said. "It's
a good start, but we dug ourselves a big hole and now we're trying
to get out of it. I thought Andrew played a whale of a football
game."
Zow set a school record by completing his final 12 passes,
including his last eight of the second quarter.
Alabama has beaten the Rebels (3-2, 2-2) 10 straight meetings
and 19 of 20 in Tuscaloosa. It was the largest victory margin in
the series in 17 years and the most points the Tide have scored in
three-plus seasons under Mike DuBose, topping the 42 against
Houston in his debut in 1997.
Zow rushed for a TD and passed for another.
"It just hit us tonight," Zow said. "Hopefully, it's not a
one-night thing. Hopefully, we can keep it going.
"The guys up front just blocked, the guys caught the ball. We
just had a good night all the way around."
Antonio Carter caught eight passes for a career-high 157 yards,
including a 60-yarder to set up a score early in the fourth. It was
Alabama's longest pass play of the season.
It was the first time Alabama had topped 28 points this season.
The 464 total yards also marked a season-high despite the absence
of leading receiver Freddie Milons, out with a sprained knee.
The Tide entered the game ranked 112th in Division I-A in
passing efficiency.
It was a role reversal, with Ole Miss quarterback Romaro Miller
entering the game as the league's most efficient passer and
throwing three interceptions.
Miller was 15-of-31 for 127 yards, throwing a 34-yard TD pass to
Joe Gunn in the second quarter. Backup Eli Manning played most of
the fourth quarter.
Ole Miss's Deuce McAllister, who came in averaging 175
all-purpose yards, injured his left ankle in the first quarter and
played sparingly after that. He gained 10 yards on four carries.
Ahmaad Galloway had two 1-yard TD runs and Brandon Miree
added a 36-yarder in the fourth. Miree rushed for 91 yards on 12
carries and Galloway had 69 yards on 12 runs.
The Tide's domination coincided with the start of Zow's streak.
He led Alabama to two TDs in the final six minutes of the
first half.
The Tide's special teams and defense got into the act in the
third quarter. Victor Ellis blocked a Les Binkley field goal
attempt and Kecalf Bailey scooped it up for a 63-yard TD.
That laid to waste a 15-play Ole Miss drive that included two
fourth-down conversions.
Three plays later, Reggie Myles intercepted a deflected pass and
raced 35 yards to the Rebels' 19. It set up Neal Thomas's 25-yard
field goal.
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ALSO SEE
College Football Scoreboard
Mississippi Clubhouse
Alabama Clubhouse
AUDIO/VIDEO
 A blocked kick by Victor Ellis leads to a 63-yard TD for Kecalf Bailey.
avi: 1550 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Arvin Richard's spectacular effort ignites the Crimson Tide, who score two plays later.
avi: 1360 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Tide QB Andrew Zow fools everyone and takes the ball in himself for the touchdown.
avi: 936 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Andrew Zow connects with Antonio Carter for a 60-yard reception setting up another Tide TD.
avi: 1430 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Mississippi's Joe Gunn scores on a 33-yard touchdown pass from Romaro Miller.
avi: 1390 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
 ESPN's Adrian Karsten talks with coach Mike DuBose about his resurgent Alabama team.
wav: 328 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Backup QB Andrew Zow joins ESPN's Adrian Karsten after his spectacular performance.
wav: 417 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
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