Mississippi State’s opening offensive possession against Alabama was over after just nine seconds and one play.

Shane Lee was the one to end it, intercepting a short pass from Bulldogs quarterback Tommy Stevens and getting the ball back to the Crimson Tide offense.

It was part of a solid overall performance for Lee, a game that — to Nick Saban — represented a step forward for the freshman inside linebacker.

“Shane probably played one of his best games of the year, made a lot of plays and did a good job, a better job of tackling,” Saban said. “We still have the occasional mental error by some of the younger guys that shows up, but I thought this was his best performance, most consistent game and I see him sort of starting to develop confidence in what we’re asking him to do and how he’s going about doing it on a consistent basis.”

Lee posted a team- and career-high 10 tackles, the interception and a quarterback hurry while helping the Tide limit Mississippi State to seven points and Bulldogs standout running back Kylin Hill to an average of just 2.2 yards per carry.

“He’s a really good player even though he’s young,” defensive back Shyheim Carter said of Lee. “He’s still got a lot to learn and improve on, but he’s a really good player. He’s a starting linebacker as a freshman and that speaks highly of him. I feel he can get the job done, whether tackling or making the right call or anything.”

While there have been freshman growing pains, Lee ranks third for Alabama in tackles with 63, third in sacks with 3.5 and is tied for third with 5.5 tackles for a loss.

Now, he has an interception, too.

It was an interception that got him kickstarted against Mississippi State, a game during which he ended up matching his previous career-high for tackles (eight) by the end of the first half.

"That (interception) was big,” safety Jared Mayden said. “First drive out and you go get an interception. That's probably something that also helped him calm down. Once you realize you can really play with everybody in the league, now you're just getting to the thinking part.”

Matt Zenitz is an Alabama and Auburn reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mzenitz.