No. 1 Alabama Hangs On To Defeat No. 11 Florida 31-29
The No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide opened SEC play by going to Gainesville and taking on the No. 11 Florida Gators. The Crimson Tide was held to just 91 rushing yards but Alabama was able to mount enough offense to win in "The Swamp" 31-29.
Sophomore linebacker Drew Sanders crashed off his edge to stop the Gators' two-point conversion attempt to tie the game with 3:10 left in the game to help the Tide hold on to win on the road.
The Crimson Tide started the game off strong, scoring touchdowns on the game's first three possessions and forcing three stops to jump out to a 21-3 lead and threaten to route the Gators.
Florida got physical with the Tide, and got back in the game by using its top ranked rushing attack to dig its way back into the game. The Gators scored the game's next 13 points in the game on each side of halftime to cut Alabama's 18-point lead to just five.
The Crimson Tide and Gators then exchanged scoring drives, highlighted by the Florida Gators marching 99-yards in 11-plays to once again bring the Gators back to just a five-point hole.
Young and the inexperienced Alabama offense once again mounted a long drive, capped off by a 24-yard Will Reichard field goal to re-establish an eight-point lead with with 9:25 left to play.
Florida, led by Emory Jones flew right down the field in 12 plays to score on a Dameon Pierce 17-yard touchdown run that put the Gators in position to tie the game with 3:10 left to play. It was Pierce's second touchdown of the game.
Alabama was hampered throughout the day by the noise at Ben Hill Griffin and shot themselves in the foot with penalties for the second straight week. The Crimson Tide amassed 11 penalties for 81 yards to slow themselves down.
Alabama's Bryce Young completed 22-of-35 passes for 240 yards and three touchdowns for the Tide. Senior Brian Robinson did the majority of the work in the backfield taking 15 carries for 78 yards and a touchdown, the Tuscaloosa native also chipped in through the passing game with a single 7-yard touchdown reception.
Florida was effective on the ground at home and led by quarterback Emory Jones, he passed for 195 yards and rushed for 77 yards with a touchdown. Running back Malik Davis additionally took 10 carries for 86 yards and touchdown.
The Alabama Crimson Tide will go back home to take on Southern Miss in Bryant-Denny Stadium next Saturday, Sept. 25 at 6:30 p.m. CT.