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No. 2 Alabama 45, Chattanooga 0: Game Uncontested, Tide Undefeated
Tuscaloosa, AL (Sports Network) – Mark Ingram had 102 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries in two quarters of action, as second-ranked Alabama thumped FCS foe Chattanooga, 45-0, at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Greg McElroy played only the first half, completing 6-of-11 passes for 80 yards and one touchdown for the Crimson Tide (11-0), who rested many first- stringers on the offensive side after building a 35-0 lead at the break.
Julio Jones had a touchdown reception in the win, and Javier Arenas set an SEC record with his seventh punt return for a touchdown, breaking the mark previously established by Kentucky’s Derek Abney.
“We were pleased to be able to play as many players as we played today,” said Alabama head coach Nick Saban. “It was great for the seniors who were acknowledged. I think that just about every senior on our team got to play in the game. It was good that the players came out and played Alabama football and got ahead in the game so that those players got an opportunity to play.”
B.J. Coleman struggled immensely for an overmatched Chattanooga (6-5) squad, throwing for just 36 yards and two interceptions on 7-of-25 passing.
The Mocs, who totaled 84 yards of offense, ended the regular season by dropping four of their last six games.
“Obviously it was a tough (loss) for us,” said Chattanooga head coach Russ Huesman. “We played a great football team. We’ll watch the film but I think our guys played hard. You could see they wanted to be in the game, even towards the end there.”
After going three-and-out to start the game, McElroy led the Crimson Tide on an 11-play, 51-drive on their second offensive series that culminated in a two-yard touchdown run by Trent Richardson.
Only two plays were required for Alabama to extend the lead to 14-0. The Crimson Tide got the ball at their own 31 following a punt. McElroy threw a 44-yard pass to Jones and the dynamic Ingram rumbled 25 yards for the score.
Chattanooga’s Jare Gault was picked off on the ensuing drive, and Jones caught a pass in the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown with 54 seconds remaining in a productive first quarter for Alabama.
The Crimson Tide’s overwhelming defense limited Chattanooga to one yard on its next possession and Arenas returned the subsequent punt, sprinting down the right sideline for a 66-yard score 18 seconds into the second quarter.
A 40-yard dash by Ingram gave Alabama a comfortable 35-0 advantage at halftime.
Coleman threw an interception on the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter. Alabama transformed the turnover in a 41-yard Leigh Tiffin field goal.
Roy Upchurch’s 21-yard TD run with four minutes to go in regulation accounted for the final margin.
Upchurch and Demetrius Goode both rushed for 70 yards for Alabama, which totaled 313 yards on the ground…Chattanooga recorded just five first downs…Alabama has won all 11 meetings with the Mocs…The Crimson Tide battle Auburn on Friday before facing Florida in the SEC championship game on December 5.
- Via Sports Network.
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