At first, the crowd was loud, the stadium shaking. After the opening kickoff and subsequent fumble by Alabama, the crowd quieted.

The trend continued throughout the night as No. 2 Alabama toyed with a comeback several times against No. 15 Ole Miss on Saturday night. After an interception with 2:36 left, the crowd quieted again, Alabama’s fate all but sealed. 

For the second consecutive year, Alabama lost to Ole Miss by six points, this time a 43-37 loss as Saturday gave way to Sunday.

“Well, this is a little disappointing,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said after the game.

Alabama’s turnover woes returned Saturday night. Three first-half turnovers led to 17 points on the scoreboard for Ole Miss. A tipped pass for a touchdown put another seven on the board in the third quarter. 

Overall, the Crimson Tide was minus-five on turnovers with two lost fumbles on special teams and three interceptions.

“Turnovers just kill you,” Saban said. “I don’t know if there’s anybody that we could beat if we give away [24] points, I really don’t.”

Alabama ran 100 plays for 503 yards of total offense. Ole Miss had 65 plays for 433 yards. 

Cooper Bateman started under center and was 11-of-14 with one interception. Jake Coker took over in the second quarter with Alabama down 17-3. He was 21-of-44 with two interceptions.

Derrick Henry ran for 127 net yards on 23 carries and a touchdown. He also had five catches for 39 yards.