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Mississippi State quarterback Tyler Russell (17) throws a first-quarter pass against South Alabama during their NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi State running back LaDarius Perkins (27) runs past South Alabama defensive lineman Andy Dalgleish (98) for short yardage in the first quarter of their NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Tyler Russell completed 13 of 27 passes for 171 yards for the Bulldogs (4-0) while LaDarius Perkins rushed for a team-high 69 yards — including a 44-yard touchdown run.
Nickoe Whitley and Johnthan Banks both had long interception returns that stopped South Alabama drives.
It was the 15th career interception for Banks — which ranks second among active players in the Football Bowl Subdivision — and third this season.
The Bulldogs led 20-0 at halftime, giving up just 104 yards at that point.
South Alabama (1-3) lost its first game against a Southeastern Conference opponent. C.J. Bennett completed 14 of 26 passes for 154 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Demetre Baker added 49 yards rushing.
The Bulldogs have a week off before facing Kentucky on Oct. 5.
South Alabama is a transitional BCS team that is in just its fourth season as a program. But the Jaguars managed to hang close for the majority of the first half before the Bulldogs slowly pulled away.
Russell tied a Mississippi State record for consecutive pass attempts without an interception (137) during the second quarter, but then threw an interception on his next throw. It wasn't a great game for the 6-foot-4, 220-pound junior, who looked tentative in the pocket.
While Mississippi State's offense didn't look sharp, the defense did, holding South Alabama without a touchdown until late in the fourth quarter.
It was a reassuring sign for the Bulldogs, whose veteran defense allowed 572 yards in last week's 30-24 victory over Troy.
The game started with an ugly first quarter that ended scoreless. The Bulldogs dropped a few passes, were called for a few penalties and generally looked uninterested against an opponent that was a heavy underdog.
But South Alabama couldn't take advantage. The Jaguars had a chance to take the lead early in the second quarter, but Michel Chapuseaux missed a 47-yard field goal and Mississippi State suddenly shook out of its extended malaise.
The Bulldogs needed just three plays to move 70 yards — capped by Perkins' 44-yard touchdown run — to take a 7-0 lead with 12:18 left in the second quarter.
Dak Prescott added a 2-yard touchdown run and Devon Bell made two field goals, both from 42 yards, as the Bulldogs built their 20-0 halftime lead.
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Follow David Brandt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/davidbrandtAP
Click here for Brad Locke's Inside Mississippi State Sports Blog.
Click here for a photo gallery from the game.
Read more about the game in Sunday's NEMS Daily Journal newspaper.