"We always come away short," said Jeff Kelly, who was 14-of-23 for a 159 yards and a touchdown. "We've played some good games up here. It's nice to finally win."

The Golden Eagles (1-1) ended an eight-game losing streak to the Crimson Tide (1-2), off to their worst start in 10 years.

Southern Mississippi led 21-0 16 minutes into the game, forced four turnovers and allowed just 118 total yards through three quarters before going into the prevent mode.

"We beat a good football team," said Southern Miss coach Jeff Bower, whose team lost 19-16 to No. 9 Tennessee two weeks ago. "This is a step for our program to come over here, when it's very, very loud out there, and beat a good football team."

It was the first time an Alabama team was shut out since a 27-0 loss to LSU on Nov. 8, 1997. The Tide came into the season ranked No. 3, but are now off to their worst start since going 0-3 in 1990.

"One of two things is going to happen," Alabama coach Mike DuBose said. "Either we are going to separate and fall or we're going to come together.

"I simply have to do a better job. I love this group of guys. They deserve better than what they're getting for me."

The Golden Eagles cashed in on every first-half Alabama mistake to take the 21-0 lead, despite gaining only 94 total yards. Kelly was 14-of-23 with an interception.

The small collection of Southern Miss fans remained gathered behind the South end zone after the game, celebrating their team's third victory over the Tide in 44 years.

Alabama's offense that didn't have a play go longer than 11 yards in the first three quarters and went eight consecutive offensive drives without recording multiple first downs.

Despite that Alabama, outgained Southern Miss 217-210.

It was the first start of the season for quarterback Tyler Watts, who won the job from Andrew Zow. Watts finished 11-of-16, but threw for only 57 yards.

Zow led Alabama's most promising march of the game, taking the Tide to the Southern Miss 7 midway through the fourth quarter. Then he was picked off in the end zone by Zaid Houston.

"I don't question our effort and intensity," DuBose said. "We didn't make plays when we had the chance."

Derrick Nix, one of 17 Alabama products on the Southern Miss team, rushed 23 times for 80 yards.

An attempt at trickery backfired for the Tide in the first half. Backup tailback Arvin Richard took a handoff and tried to loft it back to Watts in the flat. Wall stepped in front of the pass and raced 54 yards untouched into the end zone, making it 7-0.

"When I caught it, there was nothing but green," Wall said. "When I saw the ball in the air, I broke on it and then I was gone."

The Golden Eagles made it 21-0 with a 13-second barrage. Kelly hit LeRoy Handy on a 34-yard strike on their next possession down to the Alabama 5. Two plays later, he found him again, all alone in the end zone, for a TD 41 seconds into the second quarter.

Alabama's hole quickly got deeper. Michael James fumbled the kickoff return, and Henley scooped it up and carried it 18 yards into the end zone with 14:06 left in the half.

The Golden Eagles held Alabama without a first down on its final five first-half possessions, sending the Tide into the locker room amid a chorus of boos. Alabama also came up empty on four first-half trips into Southern Miss territory, with three punts and a blocked field goal try.

The Tide's disastrous first half carried over into the second. One play after blocking Brant Hanna's field-goal attempt, Alabama gave the ball back on a botched pitch.

"As an offense, we feel terrible," Watts said. "Our defense played with tremendous heart for four quarters."