No. 1 Alabama Scalps No. 3 FSU
 |
| Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
ATLANTA, Georgia - Nothing says potential national champion like beating a team that is pretty much on equal footing. The No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide took the tomahawk time and again from the hands of the Florida State Seminoles and used it on them, scalping the underdogs by a score of 24-7 to open the 2017 college football season at the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Crimson Tide entered halftime holding a mere three-point lead, 10-7, but was able to use special teams and defense to take control of the game as the third quarter was underway. The Tide began blocking kicks, intercepting passes and causing general mayhem to the FSU special teams and offense. Bama forced two interceptions, both caused and recovered a Seminole fumble and blocked two kicks.
Beginning his 11th year as the head football coach at the University of Alabama, Nick Saban was able to extend his season opening victories to 11-0, as well as an identical 11-0 against his former assistants.The victory extended the Crimson Tide's winning streak in season-openers to 16 consecutive games. Many had begun switching their "bets" prior to the start of the game, leaning toward FSU as the potential winner. ESPN's College GameDay panelist Lee Corso, however, switched from an earlier prediction that FSU would win Saturday's contest and put on his Big AL headgear, selecting the Crimson Tide to win at the close of the Saturday broadcast.
Alabama picked up 269 yards of total offense, while holding Florida State to slightly less at 250 yards. The Tide led with 173 yards rushing as opposed to 40 for the 'Noles, but FSU led 210 to 96 in passing yards. FSU picked up two more first downs in the contest than UA, 15 to 13. State also led in third down conversions with 4-of-13 as opposed to 3-of-16 for the Tide.
Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts finished the game 10-of-18 for 96 yards and one touchdown, while also rushing the ball for 55 yards on 15 carries. Damien Harris led the Bama rushers with 73 rushing on nine carries and a touchdown. Calvin Ridley had a big night, moving fifth all-time in career receiving yards at Alabama with a total of 1,896 after picking up 82 yards on seven receptions. He also moved to fifth all-time in career receiving touchdowns after hauling down a 53-yard touchdown in the first half.
Up next for Alabama is Fresno State on Saturday, September 9th. It's the Tide's home-opener of the 2017 season at Bryant-Denny Stadium, with the kickoff set for 2:30 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN2.
| Game Stats | FSU | ALA |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 250 | 269 |
| Pass Yards | 210 | 96 |
| Rushing Yards | 40 | 173 |
| Penalty Yards | 4-30 | 5-30 |
| 1st Downs | 15 | 13 |
| 3rd Downs | 4-13 | 3-16 |
| 4th Downs | 0-1 | 2-2 |
| TOP | 27:13 | 32:47 |
 |
| Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
 |
| Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
 |
| Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
 |
| Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Alabama Volleyball Splits Saturday Matches
 |
| Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
MOBILE, Alabama – The University of Alabama volleyball team closed its weekend on Saturday at the Jaguar Invitational splitting two matches on the day. Bama suffered a 3-0 loss to Southern Miss, but followed that up with a 3-2 win over McNeese State.
Alabama moves to 4-2 on the young season after dropping its opening match to Southern Miss (6-1) in straight sets before rolling back with a hard-fought victory over McNeese State (2-4) in five sets. Leading the Crimson Tide offense with 20 kills was Jennifer Casillas. Hayley McSparin was just one back with 19 kills, and Christine Jarman close behind with 18. Quincey Gary had 39 digs as the libero, including a 30-dig performance against the Cowgirls in the finale.
The Crimson Tide will make its 2017 home debut this next weekend, hosting the Hampton Inn Bama Bash at Foster Auditorium on the beautiful campus of the University of Alabama. Bama will open against Tennessee State and Hofstra on Friday, September 8th at 10 a.m. CT and 7:30 p.m. CT, respectively. The Tide will conclude the Bash against Furman on Saturday, September 9th at noon.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Southeastern Conference Football Scoreboard
The Southeastern Conference had a very respectable outing on Saturday against out-of-conference competition, going 11-1 on the day. Leading it all was, of course, the big No.1 versus No.3 matchup in Atlanta, Georgia with the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide defeating ACC power Florida State University. Here's a look at how the SEC fared:
1 Alabama Crimson Tide 24
3 Florida State 7
11 Michigan 33
17 Florida 17
Kentucky 24
Southern Miss 17
Charleston Southern 0
Mississippi State 49
Appalachian State 10
15 Georgia 31
Georgia Southern 7
12 Auburn 41
South Alabama 27
Ole Miss 47
Vanderbilt 28
Middle Tennessee 6
BYU 0
13 LSU 20
Texas A&M Game is
UCLA Sunday
25 Tennessee Game is
Georgia Tech Monday
Florida A&M 7
Arkansas 49
Missouri State 43
Missouri 72
North Carolina State 28
South Carolina 35
