Alabama Football vs. Florida Atlantic Postgame Notes
9/6/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
General Notes
Game Captains
Alabama's captains for today's game against Florida Atlantic were Denzel Devall, Jalston Fowler and Ryan Kelly. The Crimson Tide won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff.
Home Opener
Alabama improved to 74-11-2 (.862) all-time in 87 home-opening games, garnering the Crimson Tide's 13th home opening win in a row
Series History
Alabama leads the series with Florida Atlantic 2-0 after today's win. The Crimson Tide also won the 2012 meeting against the Owls, 40-7, in Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Defensive Notes
Defense Stands Strong
The Alabama defense limited Florida Atlantic to 145 yards of total offense in today's game (88 passing, 57 rushing). The Owls were 2-10 in third down attempts and had nine first downs.
Holding Opponents Under 300
In head coach Nick Saban's 96-game tenure at Alabama, the Crimson Tide has limited opponents to under 300 yards of total offense 61 times, or 63.5 percent of the time.
Holding Opponents Under 200
During head coach Nick Saban's last 83 games at the Capstone (since the start of the 2008 season), the Crimson Tide defense has held the opposing offense to fewer than 200 yards of total offense 31 times as Alabama held FAU to 145 total yards on Saturday. In 2013, Alabama held four opponents under 200. In 2012, Alabama did so five times, and in 2011, the Tide accomplished the feat eight times, limiting Kent State to 90 yards and LSU to only 92 yards in the BCS Championship Game (the second and third times a Saban defense limited its opponent to less than 100 yards of total offense). Alabama's best came in 2009 when the Tide held Chattanooga to 84 yards of total offense. The Tide held opponents under 200 yards three times in 2010, four times in 2009 and six times in 2008.
10 Points or Fewer
With a shutout of FAU on Saturday, Alabama's 10th shutout over the last 40 games, the Crimson Tide during the Saban era (since 2007) has held opponents to 10 points or fewer 50 times since the start of the 2007 season. Alabama held 9-of-13 opponents to 10 points or less in 2013 with three shutouts. The Tide limited seven of its opponents to 10 points or less in 2012, four of which were shutouts. The Tide was successful in holding opponents in the 0-10 point range in nine games in 2011 and eight times in 2010. Alabama limited opponents to that range seven times in both 2008 and 2009, and in 2007 posted two games in which it held opponents to 0-10 points. Alabama has shut out the opposition 14 times during the Saban era.
First Half Shutout
With a shutout at the half against FAU, Alabama held its foe scoreless at the break for the 12th time in its last 19 games. In addition to Saturday's game, the Crimson Tide shut out Chattanooga (Nov. 23, 2014), Mississippi State (Nov. 16, 2013), Tennessee (Oct. 26, 2013), Arkansas (Oct. 19, 2013), Kentucky (Oct. 12, 2013), Georgia State (Oct. 5, 2013), Ole Miss (Sept. 28, 2013), Colorado State (Sept. 21, 2013), Notre Dame (Jan. 7, 2013), Auburn (Nov. 24, 2012) and Western Carolina (Nov. 17, 2012) during the first two quarters of play.
Offensive Notes
Cooper Ties Single Game Reception Record
With his 13th catch coming in the third quarter, junior Amari Cooper tied DJ Hall's record for receptions in a single game. Hall achieved the feat in 2007 against Tennessee.
Cooper Over 100 Again; Sets Career Highs
Junior Amari Cooper finished the game with a career-high 189 yards receiving on a career-best 13 catches, thanks to a 97-yard first quarter against Florida Atlantic. He has eclipsed the 100-yard mark for the fourth straight game and ninth of his career. The record for consecutive 100-yard receiving games is five set by DJ Hall in 2006.
Racking up the Yardage
Finishing with 620 total yards on Saturday against FAU, Alabama surpassed the 500-yard mark in total offense for the third straight game dating back to a 516-yard outing against Oklahoma in the 2014 Sugar Bowl (The Crimson Tide had 538 yards in its season-opening win over West Virginia on August 30 in Atlanta). Saturday's outing also marked the fifth consecutive game in which Alabama has surpassed 400 yards of total offense. The 620 total yards against FAU ranks 8th all-time in Alabama history for total offense in a single game.
A Passing Performance to Remember
Both Alabama quarterbacks that played against FAU surpassed the 200-yard mark in passing yards as Blake Sims passed for 214 yards and Jake Coker passed for 202. The 416 yards ranks second in Alabama history for passing yards in a game behind the 484 yards against Auburn in 1969.
Scoring Streak Continues
With senior Blake Sims' 7-yard keeper in the first quarter, Alabama has scored in 171 consecutive games - the longest streak in program history.
Special Teams Notes
Griffith Off to a Hot Start
Placekicker Adam Griffith was successful on both field goal attempts on Saturday against FAU, connecting from 22 and 28 yards out. That performance moved Griffith to a perfect 6-for-6 in field goals for the 2014 season after he was accurate on all four attempts on Aug. 30 in the win over West Virginia. Griffith also has been flawless on extra-point attempts this season, connecting on all seven conversion kicks this season.
