Alabama “Grounds” Overmatched Penn State

Trent Richardson rushed for 144 yards (102 in the first half) and one touchdown as the Alabama Crimson Tide cruised to a 24-3 victory over the Penn State Nittany Lions in Bryant-Denny Stadium.

The Penn State defense had gone 17 consecutive games without giving up 100 yards to a single running back, until Richardson exploded Saturday night.

While Richardson was the “talk” after the game…PSU quarterback Robert Bolden had been the “talk” leading up to the game.

How did the young freshman quarterback perform against the Alabama defense? Fair.

When it was all said and done, Bolden went 13-of-29 for 144 yards…including two interceptions.

The young quarterback seemed very poised at times, yet appeared very flustered by the Alabama defense and blitz.

Thanks to various defensive looks and the ‘Bama blitz, Will Lowery and Robert Lester intercepted Bolden, which diffused two promising Penn State offensive drives.

The PSU offense, led by Bolden, had several opportunities to put points on the board, but costly fumbles and interceptions doomed the offense.

Each time the Nittany Lions had momentum on the offensive side of the ball; the Crimson Tide defense would stand tall and force a turnover.

The Alabama defense held Penn State to 283 yards of total offense and only 156 yards through the air.

PSU running back Evan Royster was held in check as he rushed for only 32 yards on nine carries.

While the Nittany Lions offense struggled and turned the ball over in critical situations, the Alabama offense was very “business like” on the ground and through the air.

Tide running back Trent Richardson “stole the show” with his amazing success on the ground, but the Alabama air attack was very solid as well.

‘Bama quarterback Greg McElroy went 16-of-24 for 229 yards and two touchdowns.

The ability of Alabama to establish the run certainly aided in the Tide passing game in the initial portion of the contest.

In the first period of play, McElroy connected with wide receiver Kevin Norwood on a 36-yard touchdown strike to give the Tide an early 7-0 lead.

The touchdown by Norwood was not only the first of his young ‘Bama career, it was also the first pass reception of his college career.

In the second quarter of action, the Tide ground attack would once again allow McElroy to establish the pass. On this occasion the Alabama quarterback would find tight end Preston Dial in the end zone for a 14-yard touchdown.

Jeremy Shelley would later add a 31-yard field goal and the Tide led by a score of 17-0 at the half.

The second half of play was rather “conservative” for the Crimson Tide. The Alabama offensive effort in the latter stages of the contest seemed very meticulous and detailed.

Tide running back Trent Richardson would add a 1-yard touchdown run in the final period of play to give Alabama a 24-0 lead.

Penn State would finally get on the scoreboard with 9:47 to go in the game courtesy of a 36-yard field goal.

Effective on the ground and through the air, Alabama had 409 yards of total offense against the Nittany Lions.

With the score 24-3, many Tide fans began to chant “SEC” as the final minutes ticked away at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Outside of the obvious Tide victory, the highlight of the evening may have occurred before the game ever began.

Former Florida State coach (and Alabama native) Bobby Bowden, joined Nick Saban and Joe Paterno on the stadium turf prior to kickoff.

The two winningest coaches in college football and arguably the best “active coach,” made the on field gathering something to behold.

FUN FACT: In the first two games of the 2010 season, Alabama has yet to allow a touchdown. The Crimson Tide currently lead the “season” by a score of 72-6.