Sylvester Croom was only 21–38 in his five seasons as Mississippi State’s head coach. Chances are that none of his wins in Starkville were sweeter than the two he enjoyed against his alma mater, Alabama.
The second of those victories, in 2007, was due in large part to a game-altering play at the end of the first half. Alabama led 9–3 with 21 seconds left in the second quarter and had the ball on the Bulldogs’ three-yard line, poised to extend its lead before the break.
That’s when MSU’s Anthony Johnson picked off a John Parker Wilson pass in the end zone — helped in large part by pressure generated by linebacker Titus Brown — and raced 103 yards the other way for a touchdown. The Bulldogs would eventually win, 17–12, to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2000.
It was the highlight of a truncated MSU career for Johnson. He was arrested the following March on gun charges and dismissed from the team, eventually transferring to FCS Jackson State.
On Saturday, top-ranked Alabama will host Mississippi State, which is also undefeated (7–0) and No. 11 in the BCS. Anthony Johnson profile
