Mississippi State QB Kamario Taylor exits in boot as Alabama wins 56-23

The Heisman-contending sophomore threw for 258 yards and three touchdowns but was intercepted twice and left with a right foot injury in the loss.

Alabama overwhelmed Mississippi State 56-23 on Saturday at the Bulldogs' home stadium, a result that dropped the hosts from the ranks of the unbeaten and turned a showcase afternoon for quarterback Kamario Taylor into a struggle. Taylor arrived as one of the leading Heisman Trophy candidates in the country but found few answers against an Alabama defense that carried a national reputation.

The sophomore completed 19 of 34 passes for 258 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions, connecting on 55.9 percent of his throws after posting a 69.2 percent rate over the season's opening weeks. He had thrown only two interceptions all year before Saturday. On the ground, he ran six times for minus-26 yards and did not score.

Taylor's candidacy was built on a national-leading 14 touchdowns while steering Mississippi State to a perfect record, and much of the buildup framed Saturday as a chance to prove himself against elite opposition. The anticipated statement performance never arrived, as the Crimson Tide denied him rhythm and comfort all afternoon.

The decline was sharpest as a runner. At his best, Taylor threatens defenses in the open field with speed and elusiveness, and he came in averaging five yards a carry. Alabama's front repeatedly dropped him for losses in the backfield instead, and his six attempts netted minus-26 yards.

Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer had pointed to that skill among Taylor's biggest advantages in the days before kickoff, telling SB Nation the quarterback is a tremendous athlete whose legs allow him to keep plays alive longer than most. Whatever window that threat usually opens never appeared once the game began.

Reporter Chris Low shared an observation on social media during the game, writing that Taylor seldom chose to scramble unless Alabama defenders were already bearing down on him. Low added that the quarterback did not appear fully healthy or to be moving as he typically does.

There were bright moments, chief among them a 45-yard touchdown strike to Anthony Evans III. Even so, the outing sat far beneath the level Taylor had shown during the year's first weeks.

Taylor's day ended ahead of schedule when an undisclosed injury forced him out early in the fourth quarter. He walked to the locker room at the 12:02 mark of the final period, handing the offense to Billy Puckett, another sophomore. Taylor resurfaced on the sideline soon after with a boot on his right foot and was ruled out for the rest of the game. The specific nature of the problem was not announced.

The broadcast indicated Taylor had been wearing the boot the day before the game as well. He had also limped visibly at the end of the previous week's contest against Missouri because of an apparent right foot issue, and it remains unknown whether the two problems are connected.