STARKVILLE, Miss. (Interstat) — Keelon Russell threw three touchdown passes and ran for another as visiting Alabama defeated Mississippi State 56-23 in an NCAA Football Bowl Division game Saturday at Davis Wade Stadium. The Crimson Tide led throughout after a fast start. Russell completed 16 of 22 passes for 285 yards and added five carries for 16 yards. Kamario Taylor was 19 of 34 for 258 yards and three touchdowns for Mississippi State. Anthony Evans III caught 12 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns. Ryan Coleman-Williams had three receptions for 43 yards and a score. Xavier Griffin recorded nine tackles, one sack and one quarterback hurry for Alabama, while London Simmons added two tackles and 1.5 sacks. Tyler Lockhart had five tackles, half a sack and two quarterback hurries for the Bulldogs. Alabama improved to 5-0, and Mississippi State dropped to 4-1. Attendance was 60,417. Alabama next faces Georgia, while Mississippi State plays at LSU.