Alabama has record-setting game in win over Florida
Great teams find a way to win, even when their flaws begin to show.
No. 3 Alabama was sloppy against Florida in its 42-21 win, even if doesn't show on paper. The Crimson Tide tacked on 645 total yards, the most ever allowed by Florida in a game. But Amari Cooper set the Alabama career receiving TD record with his 18th, 19th, and 20th catches in the end zone on 201 yards receiving.
The best thing about Cooper is his refusal to take credit, instead uttering the fewest words possible about such a grand performance from his quarterback.
“It’s great,” Cooper told CBS. “He throws the ball on the money every time.”
Quarterback Blake Sims became the second Crimson Tide QB to throw for 400 yards in a game, slinging 445 while tossing four touchdowns in the process. The other such performance is a school record, held by Scott Hunter, who threw for 484 yards against Auburn in 1969.
After calling his own number on a 24-yard rush late in the third quarter, Sims went down grabbing his shoulder. He ran to the locker room and came back strong for the fourth. After telling offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin he was good to go, he never looked back.
“I had great guys out there to make plays for me,” Sims said of his record-setting performance, but he couldn't count out Kiffin. “He keeps my composure good and keeps me confident.”
Neither team's game went exactly according to plan. Combined, both teams had six turnovers that directly led to touchdowns, including a first quarter 49-yard Keanu Neal fumble return for a Florida touchdown.
The only way Florida was going to win this game was if Alabama faltered - which is exactly what happened, by Alabama standards.
The Tide committed 11 penalties for 80 yards and four turnovers that translated to 21 points for the Gators. However, the Gators only mustered an abysmal 200 total yards, 93 of them coming from the arm of quarterback Jeff Driskel. Alabama led by a touchdown at the half, but it was hardly because Florida's offense was on. After Florida opened the scoring, the Tide scored 21 unanswered points, going on to rout the opposition.
So where does this leave the Crimson Tide? They're not lucky to come out on top - everyone expected them to. After a bye week, the Crimson Tide travel to No. 10 Ole Miss, a team that will most certainly capitalize on any similar errors.