Alabama
Florida
No. 3/2 Alabama Football Downs Florida, 42-21
9/20/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama - University of Alabama quarterback Blake Sims threw for 445 yards and four touchdowns, including 10 passes for 201 yards and two scores to receiver Amari Cooper, to lead the No. 2/3 Crimson Tide (4-0 overall; 1-0 in the Southeastern Conference) to a 42-21 win over Florida (2-1; 1-1) Saturday afternoon at Bryant-Denny Stadium. In front of a sellout crowd of 101,821, Alabama overcame several miscues to rack up a methodical yet impressive victory in its Southeastern Conference opener.
Sims completed 23 of 33 passes on the afternoon and his 445 yards through the air ranks second on the Alabama single-game passing yards list behind Scott Hunter's 484-yard performance against Auburn in 1969. Sims passed for 335 yards and three scores in the first half, including an 87-yard touchdown pass on the Tide's first offensive play. The first-half yardage ranks second in Alabama history for passing yards in a half behind Greg McElroy's 339-yard first half outing against Auburn in 2010.
Cooper continued his incredible start to the season with 10 catches for 201 yards and three touchdowns, including a 79-yard catch that erased an early 14-7 deficit, on the way to his school-record sixth consecutive outing of 100 or more receiving yards. The Alabama offense eclipsed the 500-yard mark for the fifth consecutive game, racking up 672 total yards (449 passing, 223 rushing) and surpassed 600 yards for the second time this season. Derrick Henry rushed for 111 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries.
In addition to converting 12 of 16 third downs into first downs, Alabama averaged 7.4 yards per play on 87 snaps, racking up a huge advantage in time of possession (39:16 to 20:44) over the overworked Gator defense. Meanwhile, the Tide defense held the Gators to 200 total yards in the game (107 rushing, 93 passing) and just 2 of 13 conversions on third downs. Alabama won despite losing four turnovers (three fumbles, one interception) in the game.
The Alabama defense held Florida to 200 total yards and was led by linebacker Reggie Ragland's eight tackles. Linebacker Trey Depriest had seven tackles and a fumble recovery while safety Landon Collins had five tackles, intercepted a pass and broke up two passes. The Tide harried Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel into a 9-for-28 passing performance for 93 yards with two interceptions and two touchdowns.
Game Summary
Alabama won the opening coin toss and deferred the option until the second half. Florida elected to receive the opening kickoff and to defend the north goal.
First Quarter
Adam Griffith's kickoff sailed to the back of the end zone and Florida began its first possession at the Gators' 25-yard line. Three plays netted four yards and the Gators were forced to punt after an incomplete pass on third down. Kyle Christy's 58-yard punt was not fielded and was downed by the Gators at the Tide 13-yard line with 13:59 left in the first quarter. On the first offensive play of the game for Alabama, the Tide lined up with four wide receivers, no running back, one tight end and quarterback Blake Sims in the shot gun. Sims took the snap, faded to pass and launched a long pass down the Florida sideline (east side of the stadium) to Kenyan Drake who took the pass in around midfield and raced untouched to the end zone on an 87-yard scoring play, tying the fourth-longest passing touchdown in Crimson Tide history. Griffith's point-after kick was good and Alabama had an early 7-0 lead with 13:47 left in the first quarter.
Florida's Valdez Showers returned the kickoff 16 yards to the Florida 23 and the Gators began on offense. On second down, Driskel passed to tight end Clay Burton for 18 yards to a first down at the Florida 41. On first down, Driskel was dropped for a loss of 6 yards by Tide cornerback Tony Brown. Two passes were incomplete and Christy entered to punt again from the Gator 35. Christy nailed another majestic 58-yard punt that was taken by Christion Jones at the Tide 7 and he returned it 17 yards to set up the Tide offense at the Alabama 24 with 12:18 left in the first period.
On first down, Drake took a handoff around right end for 9 yards to the Tide 33, but Drake fumbled as he was tackled. Florida defensive back Marcus Maye forced the fumble and cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III recovered for the Gators at the Tide 31 with 12:09 on the clock. On first down, Driskel took a keeper for 3 yards to the Tide 28. A screen pass on second down fell incomplete. On third-and-7 at the Tide 28, Driskel threw to Valdez Showers, who was open on a flag route to the left corner of the end zone behind Alabama safety Jabriel Washington. Showers took the pass in around the 13-yard line and into the end zone on a 28-yard touchdown pass. Frankie Velez kicked the extra point and the Gators had tied the game at 7-7 with 11:26 left in the first period.
Christion Jones returned the kickoff to the Tide 20. Running back T.J. Yeldon lost a yard on a rush at right end. On second down, Sims passed complete to DeAndrew White for 6 yards to the Tide 27. On third-and-5, Sims passed to Cooper on a slant and Cooper turned the short pass into a 26-yard gain to a first down at the Florida 47. An illegal procedure penalty moved the Tide back 5 yards to a first-and-15 at the Tide 48. Sims completed a short pass to White at the Florida 47 and he reached the Gators 45 before linebacker R.J. Raymond knocked the ball loose and Florida safety Keanu Neal scooped up the ball and ran 49 yards to a touchdown. Velez kicked the extra point and Florida had a 14-7 lead with 9:24 left in the first period.
Christion Jones returned the kickoff to the Tide 20. After a delay penalty cost the Tide 5 yards, Sims passed to Cooper for 13 yards to the Tide 28. On second down, Sims threw a quick screen to Cooper but the play was stopped for a 1-yard gain by Hargreaves. On third-and-1 at the 29, Sims kept for 3 yards and a first down at the 32. Yeldon carried at right tackle but was forced back for a 1-yard loss to the 31. On second-and-11, Sims unleashed a perfectly thrown pass into a crowd that Cooper hauled in for a 37-yard gain down the middle of the field to the Florida 32. Yeldon took a handoff at left tackle for 4 yards to the 28. On second down, Sims threw high and incomplete for Cooper at the right side. Facing third-and-4 from the shotgun formation, Sims' pass for Yeldon was batted down by Florida nose tackle Darious Cummings. Griffith entered to attempt a 45-yard field goal. The kick was no good, wide left. Florida took possession at its 28 with 5:46 left in the first period.
Running back Kelvin Taylor gained 4 yards on a run at left tackle. Driskel was then dropped for a 2-yard loss by Denzel Devall to set up third-and-8 from the Gators 30. Driskel passed to receiver Quinton Dunbar, who dropped the ball despite being open. That forced a punt by Christy with 4:35 left. Christy's punt was short, but a favorable roll for Florida created a 49-yard punt that rolled dead at the Tide 21 with 4:23 on the clock.
On the next play, Sims passed deep down the middle of the field to an extremely wide open Cooper, who caught the pass at the Florida 31 and raced untouched and unchallenged to the end zone to complete a 79-yard touchdown play. Griffith's kick was good and the game was tied at 14-14 with 4:12 left in the first quarter. The catch was Cooper's 18th career receiving touchdown, tying the Alabama record for career touchdown catches (Dennis Homan, 1965-67).
At this point in the game, with 4:12 left in the first quarter, Cooper already had 5 catches for 156 yards and a touchdown while Sims had completed 8-of-10 passes for 250 yards and two scores. Cooper had already eclipsed the mark for the most receiving yards by an Alabama receiver ever against Florida, Tyrone Prothro's memorable 134-yard outing against the Gators in a 31-3 win in Tuscaloosa in 2005.
Florida started at its 36 after a facemask penalty on Alabama on the kickoff. Running back Matt Jones started the drive with runs of 11, 2 and 7 yards before Driskel kept for 8 yards to the Tide 36. After a loss of 3 by Driskel on the next play, and an incompletion, Driskel's pass down the middle of the field was intercepted by Alabama safety Jabriel Washington at the Tide 13 with 1:07 left in the first period.
Yeldon gained 7 yards over left end on first down to the Tide 20. Sims passed to White for 17 yards and a first down at the Tide 37. A screen pass to White gained 5 yards to the Tide 42 as the quarter ended.
Through the first period, Alabama had 291 total yards to Florida's 74, including 272 passing. Alabama was averaging 16.2 yards per offensive play, but their two turnovers resulted in Gator touchdowns and the game was tied on the scoreboard. Sims was 10-of-12 passing for 272 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Second Quarter
The second quarter began with Alabama facing a second-and-5 situation at the Tide 42. A screen pass intended for Yeldon was incomplete. On third-and-5 at the 42, Sims passed to tight end O.J. Howard on slant pattern for 12 yards and a first down at the Florida 46. Yeldon took a handoff at right tackle for 1 yard to the UF 45. On second-and-9, Sims play-faked a handoff, rolled to his right and fired complete to Cooper for a 13-yard gain and a first down at the Gator 32. From the shotgun, Sims kept the ball and fumbled when hit by Florida defensive tackle Leon Orr at the Gator 35. Gator linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. eventually picked up the loose football at the Tide 35 with 13:12 left in the second quarter.
On first down, running back Kelvin Taylor gained a yard over right guard. After an incomplete pass on a deep that Tide safety Landon Collins broke up inside the Tide 10, Driskel and Taylor connected for 4 yards on a pass play to the Tide 30. Driskel passed incomplete under heavy pressure by Tide defensive lineman D.J. Pettway to force a punt. Christy's 28-yard punt was fair caught by Christion Jones at the Tide 12, where the Alabama offense took possession with 11:58 left in the second quarter.
After a pass to Christion Jones fell a yard short of a first down at the Tide 21, JK Scott's punt was short (30 yards) and rolled out of bounds at the Florida 39 with 10:18 left. After Driskel gained 9 yards on a keeper to the Tide 42, Jones fumbled on a rush and Tide linebacker Reggie Ragland recovered for Alabama at the Tide 44 with 9:42 left in the second period.
Running back Derrick Henry gained 3 yards on a run up the middle to the Tide 47, then Sims kept to his left for a 6-yard gain and a late hit out of bounds by Florida nose tackle Darious Cummings yielded a 15-yard penalty that carried the play to the Florida 32. Henry gained 5 yards over left tackle before a big hit by cornerback Brian Poole downed him at the Gator 27. Sims passed to fullback Jalston Fowler on a roll out to the right and Fowler turned it into a 19-yard gain to the Florida 8. After a false start pushed the Tide back 5 yards to the UF 13, Henry took a handoff over right tackle for 11 yards to the 2. Then Sims and Fowler connected again on the rollout waggle pass for a 2-yard touchdown as Fowler caught the ball while falling backward along the boundary with 7:19 left. Griffith's conversion kick was good and Alabama had a 21-14 lead.
Florida started the next possession at its 14-yard line after Andre Debose was tackled there by Derrick Henry on the kickoff return. Taylor took a handoff at right guard for 4 yards, then Driskel passed to Burton for 6 yards and a first down at the UF 24. After two incompletions, Florida faced third-and-10 at its 24 with 6:09 left. Driskel rolled right but was forced to run and was stopped for a 5-yard gain by Tide linebacker Trey Depriest to set up a punt. Christion Jones fielded Christy's 54-yard punt at the Tide 17 and was immediately tackled by Showers at that spot. Alabama took over there with 5:34 left in the period. To this point in the game, Christy had punted 5 times for a 49.2-yard average and had pinned the Tide inside its own 20 three times in the first half.
Sims rolled right looking to pass, but tucked the ball and ran for 9 yards to the Tide 26. Yeldon was stopped for a 2-yard loss at the 24. On third-and-3, Sims faked a handoff and threw quickly over the middle to Cooper for 6 yards and a first down at the Tide 30. Sims rolled to his right, avoided a tackle by Gator linebacker Dante Fowler Jr., and passed complete to White for 7 yards to the Tide 37. Henry gained one on a run over left tackle to set up third-and-2 at the 38. Sims called timeout with the play clock dwindling and the game clock showing 2:52 left in the second quarter.
A promising drive reached the Florida 43 before an illegal touching penalty erased a pass to White that had reached that point of the field. Passes of 6 yards to Cooper, 7 yards to White got the Tide moving before the drive stalled. Scott entered to punt for Alabama and his 57-yard kick reached the end zone. That set up Florida at its 20 with 1:44 left in the half. Three running plays by Florida gained 8 yards and drained the clock, ending the half.
Alabama led 21-14 at the half. Sims had 335 yards on 17-of-23 passing, just 4 yards shy of the Alabama record for passing yards in a half set by Greg McElroy, who had 339 yards in the first half against Auburn in 2010. Cooper had 175 yards on 7 catches for the Tide. Alabama had a 365-105 edge in total offense at the break, including a 335-53 passing edge while the Gators led in rushing by a margin of 52-30. Alabama averaged 9.1 yards per play on 40 offensive snaps while the Gators managed 3.1 yards on 34 plays. The turnovers were the major factor in the game as Alabama had 3 turnovers (all fumbles) to the Gators' 2 (a fumble and an interception).
Third Quarter
Alabama received the second half kickoff, which Cyrus Jones downed for a touchback in the end zone to set up the Tide at the 25. A 33-yard pass play to Cooper on the opening play was nullified by an illegal procedure penalty. On first-and-15 from the 20, Yeldon carried at left end for 1 yard to the 21. Sims and Cooper connected again, this time for 16 yards and a first down at the Tide 37. Sims rolled to his right and his pass was deflected by Florida linebacker Neiron Bell and linebacker Antonio Morris intercepted the pass at the Tide 36. Morrison returned it 20 yards to the Tide 16.
After Alabama's fourth turnover of the game, Florida took over with 13:20 left and moved to a touchdown in 2 plays covering 16 yards. After a Taylor run netted 2 yards to the 14, Driskel took a quarterback draw up the middle for 14 yards and a touchdown to tie the score at 21-21 with 12:42 left in the third period.
Christion Jones returned the kickoff to the Tide 34. On first down, Yeldon carried for 2 yards up the middle. Yeldon then took a handoff up the middle for 7 yards to the 43, setting up third and 1. From the shotgun, Yeldon took a direct snap and rushed up the middle for 4 yards and a first down at the Tide 47. A 23-yard pass to Fowler was incomplete along the sideline at the Gator 30. On second down Sims was flushed from the pocket and scrambled to his left for a 9-yard gain to the Gator 44. On third and 1, Yeldon took a handoff at left guard for 4 yards to the Florida 40. Sims was sacked for an 8-yard loss by Florida linebacker Alex McCallister at the Gator 48. On second-and-18, Henry took a handoff for 6 yards over right end to the Gator 42. Facing third-and-12, Sims operated from the shotgun and hit White for 12 yards and a first down at the Gator 30. After Henry lost a yard on a run at left end, Sims passed to tight end O.J. Howard on a quick pass that gained 10 yards to the Florida 21. On third-and-1 from the 21, Sims kept up the middle on a sneak for 2 yards and a first down at the 19. A pass to Cooper was out of bounds at the right front corner of the end zone. A false start penalty cost Alabama 5 yards, setting up second-and-15 at the Gator 24. Henry took a handoff through a big hole up the middle but stumbled in the open field for a gain of 7 to set up third-and-8 at the 17. A pass from Sims to Cooper netted 17 yards and a touchdown, but a pass interference penalty was called on Cooper. That set up third-and-23 at the Gator 32. Henry took a screen pass from Sims and weaved through tacklers for a 29-yard gain to the Gator 3. Henry took a handoff around left end for 3 yards and a touchdown with 5:27 on the clock. Griffith's kick was good and Alabama had regained the lead, 28-21.
Sims surpassed 400 passing yards during the drive, with 402 at that juncture, within range of Scott Hunter's single-game Alabama record of 484 passing yards against Auburn set in 1969.
Griffith's kickoff sailed out of bounds, setting up Florida with good field position at the Gator 35. Two runs by Jones netted 8 yards to set up a third-and-2 at the Gator 43. On third down, a blitzing Landon Collins for Alabama dropped Jones for no gain to force a punt. Christy's punt went 57 yards and bounced into the end zone. Alabama took over at its 20 with 3:28 left in the third quarter.
Henry carried for no gain on first down. On second down, Sims faded to pass, then bolted for a 24-yard gain but he was injured on the play and Jacob Coker entered with a first down at the Tide 44. From the shotgun, Coker handed off to Henry and Henry bulled for 25 yards around left end to the Gator 31. Henry gashed the Gators at the left side again on the next play, gaining 13 to a first down at the Florida 18. Yeldon entered and rushed for 10 yards over left guard to the Florida 8. An offside penalty on Florida moved the ball to the Gator 4. Coker faded to pass and threw incomplete. On second-and-goal from the 4, Yeldon took a pitch sweep to the left and was stopped for no gain. On third-and-4, Coker lofted a pass to Cooper in the end zone and Cooper outfought cornerback Hargreaves for the catch and the touchdown. Griffith's kick was good and Alabama had a 35-21 lead with 21 seconds left in the third period. The catch by Cooper gave him the Alabama career receiving touchdowns record with 19. At this juncture, Cooper had 9 catches for 195 yards and 2 touchdowns. Julio Jones' single-game receiving yards record of 221 yards at Tennessee in 2010 was seemingly in reach.
After Debose returned the kickoff to the Florida 17 Driskel passed to Dunbar for 17 yards to the Gator 34 as the quarter ended.
Through three quarters, Alabama had outgained the Gators by a 546 to 146 margin, including a 406-70 margin through the air. Alabama was 11 of 14 on third down conversions while having the ball for 29:02 of the game and averaging 8 yards per play on 68 snaps.
Fourth Quarter
The Gators had a first down at their 34 as the fourth period began. A pass interference penalty on Alabama moved them to their 49 on the first play. After an incompletion, Tide defensive lineman Jarran Reed sacked Driskel for a loss of 2. On third-and-12, Driskel's pass over the middle was intercepted by Tide safety Landon Collins at the Alabama 28. Collins returned the theft 12 yards to the Tide 40 with 13:52 left to play.
Sims returned to action as Alabama regained possession at its 40. On first down Henry carried for no gain. On second-and-10 at the 40 from the shotgun, Sims lofted a screen pass to Yeldon out of the backfield. Yeldon weaved through tacklers on a 37-yard gain to the Gator 23. Yeldon carried at left end and dragged tacklers for 10 yards to the 13. Henry ran for 3 at left end, then Henry gained 8 at right guard for a first down at the Gator 2. On first down, Yeldon gained a yard at left guard. On second down, a false start penalty created second-and-goal at the 6. After an incomplete pass, Sims and Cooper connected for the 10th time in the game, this one a high lob pass that Cooper caught for a 6-yard scoring pass with 10:10 left in the fourth quarter. Griffith's kick was good and the Tide had a 42-21 lead. The catch moved Cooper to 201 receiving yards in the game and put Sims' passing yardage at 445.
Florida took over at its 20 following the kickoff. Driskel kept over left tackle for 18 on first down to the Gator 38. Jones rushed over left guard for 3 yards, then Driskel passed to Robinson for 10 yards and a first down at the Tide 49. The drive stalled there. Four consecutive incompletions turned the ball over on downs with 8:34 on the clock. Alabama took over at its 49 with Jake Coker back in at quarterback.
The Tide went to the ground game to burn some clock. Henry ran for 8 at right tackle to the Gator 42, then gained 7 more at right end to the Florida 35. Another Henry run at right tackle gained 3 more to the Florida 32. After an offside penalty on Florida moved the ball to the Gator 27, Drake entered the game and bounced outside the Gator defense for 11 yards and a first down at the Florida 16. After Drake gained 3 on a run over left end, a personal foul on Florida moved the ball to the Florida 6 and a first down. Drake was caught for a 6-yard loss on first down, then Henry re-entered the game. On second-and-goal at the Gator 12, Henry took a handoff over right tackle for 4 yards to the 8. On third-and-goal at the 8, a false start penalty on Alabama moved the ball back to the 13. Henry was stopped for no gain on third down, then a Henry run of 4 yards ended the drive.
The Gators took possession at their own 9 with 3:00 left in the game. The Gators moved 25 yards in 5 plays before stalling and Christy entered to punt. He boomed a 66-yarder to the end zone and Alabama took over with 58 seconds left. With that punt, Christy ended the day with a 52.7-yard average on 7 punts.
Reserve running back Tyren Jones carried for 2 yards at right guard, then was stopped for a loss of 3 yards on the final play of the game at the Tide 19. Alabama had secured its 23rd consecutive win in an SEC opening game with the victory.
Scoring Summary
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 14 | 7 | 14 | 7 | 42 |
| Florida | 14 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
First Quarter
UA - Kenyan Drake 87-yard pass from Blake Sims (Adam Griffith kick), 13:47 left. Drive: 1 plays, 87 yards, 0:12 elapsed. Score: Alabama 7, Florida 0.
UF - Valdez Showers 28-yard pass from Jeff Driskel (Frankie Velez kick), 11:26 left. Drive: 3 plays, 31 yards, 0:43 elapsed. Score: Alabama 7, Florida 7.
UF - Keanu Neal 49-yard fumble return (Velez kick), 9:24 left. Score: Florida 14, Alabama 7.
UA - Amari Cooper 79-yard pass from Sims (Griffith kick), 4:12 left. Drive: 1 play, 79 yards, 0:11 elapsed. Score: Alabama 14, Florida 14.
Second Quarter
UA - Jalston Fowler 2-yard pass from Sims (Griffith kick), 7:19 left. Drive: 6 plays, 56 yards, 2:23 elapsed. Score: Alabama 21, Florida 14.
Third Quarter
UF - Jeff Driskel 14-yard run (Velez kick), 12:42 left. Drive: 2 plays, 16 yards, 0:38 elapsed. Score: Alabama 21, Florida 21.
UA - Derrick Henry 3-yard run (Griffith kick), 5:27 left. Drive: 16 plays, 66 yards, 7:15 elapsed. Score: Alabama 28, Florida 21.
UA - Cooper 4-yard pass from Jake Coker (Griffith kick), 0:21 left. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 3:07 elapsed. Score: Alabama 35, Florida 21.
Fourth Quarter
UA - Cooper 6-yard pass from Sims (Griffith kick), 10:10 left. Drive: 9 plays, 60 yards, 3:42 elapsed. Score: Alabama 42, Florida 21.
Attendance - 101,821 (capacity: 101,821)
