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Henig, Culberson spark Mississippi State to upset of Alabama

Nov 4, 2006 - 10:03 PM TUSCALOOSA, Alabama (Ticker) -- Quarterback Michael Henig and linebacker Quinton Culberson ended an embarrassing streak for Mississippi State.

Henig threw two touchdowns and Culberson returned an interception for a score as the Bulldogs snapped a 23-game Southeastern Conference road losing streak with a 24-16 upset of Alabama.

It was a rewarding win for embattled Mississippi State coach Sylvester Croom, who played at Alabama.

Henig, who completed just 9-of-23 passes for 143 yards, tossed an interception that Jeffrey Dukes returned 24 yards for a TD to pull Alabama into a 10-10 tie 3 1/2 minutes into the second quarter.

But the sophomore responded by leading his team on a seven-play, 78-yard drive, which he capped with a 13-yard TD toss to Jamayel Smith for a 17-10 lead.

Culberson gave the Bulldogs (3-7, 1-5 SEC West) a 24-10 cushion entering the break with a 51-yard interception return.

Jamie Christensen kicked three field goals, including ones of 26 and 31 yards in the third quarter, for the Crimson Tide (6-4, 2-4 West), who picked up just one first down and punted three times in the fourth quarter.

Mississippi State ran out the final 5:32 over 12 plays - seven on rushes by Anthony Dixon, who gained 121 yards on 25 carries - to also snap an 18-game road skid against SEC West foes since a win at Auburn in 1999.