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Mississippi States season looked bleak during a rough October that included three straight losses.Then, seemingly out of nowhere, came the Bulldogs 35-28 win over then-No. 7 Texas A&M on Saturday.The only person who didnt seem particularly surprised by the performance was Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen, who said the Bulldogs have always had talent, but were struggling with consistency.We knew we had a really young roster going into the year and with certain injuries happening, it made us even younger, Mullen said. Those guys are getting more comfortable in making plays out there on the field.Many of Mississippi States best players are young. Theyll get a huge challenge on Saturday, when the Bulldogs (4-5, 2/3 Southeastern Conference) travel to face No. 1 Alabama (9-0, 6-0) in Tuscaloosa.Sophomore quarterback Nick Fitzgerald continued his breakout season with one of his best performances against Texas A&M. The 6-foot-5, 230-pounder threw for 209 yards and two touchdowns while also running for 182 yards and ??? touchdowns.His only costly mistakes were two interceptions that ended promising drives. Mullen said those moments are frustrating, but hes pleased that Fitzgerald isnt making the same mistake twice. Now, heading into his 10th career start, hes become one of the best dual-threat players in the conference.The number of plays he is making is increasing because of his comfort in his decision making, Mullen said.He was helped against Texas A&M by fellow sophomore Aeris Williams, who ran for a career-high 140 yards and a touchdown on Saturday.The Fitzgerald-Williams combination on read-option plays gave Texas A&M trouble all afternoon and it was reminiscent of 2014, when quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Josh Robinson sliced through opposing defenses on the way to the programs first No. 1 ranking in school history.There were many other reasons for Mississippi States surprising victory over the Aggies, including a vast improvement from the offensive line and the secondary.Sophomore safety Mark McLaurin had a sack early in the game and grabbed an interception late in the game that stopped Texas A&M final drive and sealed the win for the Bulldogs.Mullen said the spectacular plays are nice -- whether its on offense on defense -- but the reason the Bulldogs were able to win was improved fundamentals on routine plays.We didnt make a lot of mistakes, we ran the ball and we didnt miss tackles, Mullen said. Guys were where they were supposed to be when they were supposed to be there.That may or may not be enough to beat No. 1 Alabama, which has won eight straight in the series, including four in a row in Tuscaloosa. But after the win against A&M, at least the Bulldogs have some confidence.It means a lot, linebacker Richie Brown said following Saturdays win. It kind of shows what were capable of. And we knew it. When we play well, we can beat anybody on any given Saturday.--More AP college football at www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 . Paul Goldschmidt . Jeff Green scored 13 points and Kris Humphries 12 for the Celtics, who nearly blew an 18-point, second-half lead. Sullingers 20-20 was the first by a Celtics player since Kevin Garnetts first game in Boston in 2007. Garnett was dealt -- along with Paul Pierce -- to Brooklyn during the off-season. Ozzie Smith Jersey Large . -- If this was Aaron Gordons final home game at Arizona, and it almost certainly was, then he went out in style. http://www.custommlbcardinalsjersey.com/custom-brett-cecil-jersey-large-1511q.html . Didier Drogba gave away the penalty that put Senegal one goal away from a major upset, but the veteran striker will get another chance -- probably his last -- at the World Cup after Salomon Kalous injury-time strike sealed the Ivorians place in Brazil next year. Giovanny Gallegos . Uniteds eighth defeat of a wretched campaign means Liverpool, which currently occupies the fourth and final Champions League place, could go nine points clear of its fierce rival by beating West Bromwich Albion on Sunday. Charlie Adam scored both of Stokes goals at Britannia Stadium either side of Robin van Persies equalizer, with a miserable day for seventh-place United capped by first-half injuries to centre halves Jonny Evans and Phil Jones that forced them off. Bobby Tolan . Tuesdays surgery at Atlantas Piedmont Hospital was performed by Dr. Xavier Duralde and Hawks team physician Dr. Michael Bernot. When a player receives the Butkus Award he will know two things. First, he is recognized as the best of the best linebackers in America. Second, and in the long run most important, he will understand that this recognition brings a responsibility to serve others by giving back. ?-Dick ButkusInstituted in 1985, The Butkus Award? is one of the elite individual honors in college football. In 2008, The Butkus Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization, took stewardship of the award to fully realize the original purpose of honoring athletic achievement and service to the community while honoring the nations best high school, college, and professional linebackers. An independent Butkus Award Selection Committee comprised of 51 experts, including proffessional, college and high school scouts, and prominent sports journalists, conduct the selection process.dddddddddddd12 SEC linebackers on Butkus watch listRyan Anderson, University of AlabamaKendall Beckwith, Louisiana State UniversityRichie Brown, Mississippi State UniversityLorenzo Carter, University of GeorgiaZach Cunningham, Vanderbilt UniversityJarrad Davis, University of FloridaBrooks Ellis, University of ArkansasReuben Foster, University of AlabamaT.J. Holloman, University of South CarolinaJalen Reeves-Maybin, University of TennesseeMichael Scherer, University of MissouriTim Williams, University of Alabama ' ' '