The Crimson Tide Shows The Nation
There Is A QB In The House & A Defense To Win Games
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Tide Rolls To 35-17 Season-Opening Win
Photo Credit: CBSsports.com
Photo Credit: CBSsport.com
The third-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide put a good, old-fashioned beat-down on the Wisconsin Badgers last night behind the bruising running of Derrick Henry. That beat-down came to the tune of 35-17 in front of 64,279 fans at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Badger's 300-plus rushing yards per game last season limped in on crutches last night to a tune of only 40 yards on 21 carries. The Crimson Tide? 502 total yards.
The quarterback? Jake Coker. Coker completed 15 of 21 passes for 213 yards and one touchdown. Another important stat. Coker had no interceptions. Head coach Nick Saban decided to send in Cooper Bateman late in the game, who showed a little more quickness in his footwork, but didn't get a real opportunity to secure the starting position.
The Tide had terrible field position in the first half, but marched down the field for scores on drives of 88 and 90 yards. The first drive went nowhere fast for Bama. The second possession was a bit different, however. Backed up on their own 10 yard line Bama marched 90 yards in only six plays, with running back Derrick Henry breaking through on a 37-yard touchdown run with 5:51 remaining in the first quarter. Bama held a 7-0 lead through the end of the first quarter.
The first quarter ended with Bama leading in every stat. Bama led in passing yards 56-29, rushing yards, 39-13, and first downs 7-2. Total yards was 95-45 in favor of the Crimson Tide.
The Wisconsin score came with 11:06 remaining in the second quarter on a six-yard pass with the receiver laying out across the ground for the score. That tied up the score, for the only time during the game, at 7-7.
The Tide's second score of the evening came on a Jake Coker pass to Robert Foster on a 17-yarder with 6:34 remaining in the half. That drive was good for 88 yards, giving Alabama the lead again at 14-7.
Bama went into the half leading in all stats. Total yards 199 to 171 in Bama's favor, passing yards 158 to 156, rushing yards 65-22, and first downs 12-8. Coker was 10 of 13 for 134 yards and one touchdeown. Henry had nine carries for 75 yards and a touchdown, and Kenyan Drake had 6 for 14 yards.
During the halftime stop 'n question on his way to the locker room Saban said, "We obviously made some mistakes. We are not executing perfectly."
The third quarter brought Alabama another big score off the legs of Derrick Henry, a 56-yard burst that was the longest touchdown run in the seven-year history of the AdvoCare Classic. This was a two-play, 56-yard drive that took only 17 seconds. Bama was up 21-7.
That wasn't all for the Tide or Henry. Bama's big hoss capped a 7-play, 67-yard drive on a two-yard touchdown run. Bama up now 28-7 on a drive that lasted only 2:10.
Wisconsin came up with a field goal to bring the game a little closer at 28-10. The Badgers missed the first attempt, but had a second shot as a result of a penalty just prior to the snap.
Afterward, Cooper Bateman entered the game at quarterback for Bama with 1:27 remaining in the third quarter. His first play was a six-yard dash to show his speed and versatility. He completed 7 of 8 passes for 51 yards. Bama still led the contest 28-10 at the end of the third quarter.
It was again Kenyan Drake in the fourth quarter with another score. He appeared to be stopped for a loss, but broke lose on 3rd and 26 for a 43-yard dash and score that gave the Tide a 35-10 lead.
Wisconsin did manage another touchdown but didn't really help the outcome. Bama took the win 35-17.
The Alabama Crimson Tide has now scored in 184 consecutive game. That is the longest streak in Bama history. Also worth noting, Derrick Henry now has his sixth 100-plus yard rushing game. It's his fourth in the last five neutral site games.
When asked if he was happy with the team's performance in this 35-17 season-opening game, Saban said, "The second team didn't play well. At least not to our standards."
Though he was complimentary of several facets of the game as well as players, Saban also let it be know, "You know, I think in a game like this, you're always going to go back and say 'Where are we? Where do we need to improve? What are the things we did well? What are the things we need to do better?' There's certainly a lot of things we can do better in the game. It was a great win for us. Wisconsin's got a good team, and I'm really happy with the way our guys competed, and I thought we came out and played really well in the second half."
Concerning the quarterbacks, Saban said, "I thought Jake (Coker) played very well. You know, Cooper (Bateman) probably didn't have the same opportunities as he had, but really pleased with the way Jake played. He made good choices and decisions out there...and hopefully he will only get better and so will Cooper."
This game, this offensive scheme was more of the traditional Alabama offense. And with Derrick Henry, why not? And Kenyan Drake? Of course. But isn't it also good to know that the passing ability is indeed there both in the arm of the quarterbacks and in a receiving corp that looked pretty darn good? You bet.
The take-away from game one of the season? We should be just fine. Now with a game, and let's be clear, a game with a Top-20 opponent under their belts, the Crimson Tide is off to what should be another good season. Sure, do some fine-tuning. But opening night jitters are now going to be past them. Things are going to be a little more settled.
The Crimson Tide of Alabama will indeed make another run for the championship of both the Southeastern Conference and the nation. Roll Tide!
Photo Credit: ESPN
Photo Credit: ESPN
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How The SEC Fared
Alabama 35 Wisconsin 17
Mississippi State 34 Southern Miss 16
Florida 61 New Mexico State 13
Kentucky 40 Louisiana-Lafeyette 33
Texas A&M 38 Arizona State 17
Ole Miss 76 UT-Martin 3
Tennessee 59 Bowling Green 30
Missouri 34 SE Missouri State 3
Auburn 31 Louisville 24
Arkansas 48 UTEP 13
Georgia 51 Louisiana-Monroe 14
Vanderbilt 12 Western Kentucky 14
LSU-McNeese State cancelled/weather
