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Halftime quick takes: Coker gets his chance as Alabama jumps out to 31-0 lead
Published:
TUSCALOOSA _ The University of Alabama’s quarterback competition ratcheted up Saturday afternoon when junior Jacob Coker entered the game against Florida Atlantic late in the first quarter.
After senior Blake Sims started and led three touchdown drives in steamy conditions at Bryant-Denny, Coker guided two scoring possessions as Alabama took a 31-0 lead.
Coker’s first drive stalled at the Owls’ 5-yard line, resulting in a 22-yard Adam Griffith field goal. The second lasted 12 plays with senior fullback Jalston Fowler catching a 3-yard touchdown pass.
His third ended at the FAU 4-yard line when Alabama ran out of time at the half despite having 7 seconds on the clock for a final stab at a touchdown. Coker was 9-for-16 and 120 yards.
With Sims, Alabama averaged 15 yards per play its first two possessions, and subsequently slowed down during an eight-play drive to make it 21-0.
Sims completed 8-of-9 passes, essentially all side-to-side, for 155 yards and two touchdowns. He ran in the first score, from 7 yards out, Cooper had a 52-yard catch-and-run touchdown, and junior running back Kenyan Drake did likewise for a 39-yard score.
With Sims in the game FAU had two first downs, one turnover and zero points. The difference in total yards was 227-43.
Cooper had 10 receptions for 156 yards, already notching his fourth straight 100-yard game. The Alabama record for consecutive 100-yard receiving games is five (DJ Hall in 2006).
Junior Eddie Jackson made his return after having knee surgery in April and started at left cornerback. He forced the first turnover of the game, a fumble recovered by junior linebacker Reggie Ragland.
Junior Geno Smith started at star (the extra defensive back in the nickel formation) for injured senior Jarrick Williams (foot).
Senior Trey DePriest returned to the starting lineup at weakside linebacker after serving a one-game suspension for an NCAA violation, alongside Ragland. Sophomore Alphonse Taylor started at right guard after platooning last week against West Virginia.
Christopher Walsh has covered Alabama football since 2004 and is the author of 19 books. In his free time, he writes about college football.
