Courtesy of 400-plus yards through the air and a stingy defense, the Alabama Crimson Tide rolled the Florida Atlantic Owls by the score of 41-0.
-Click HERE for complete stats-
Saban: This is the first time I've ever had a game called off and it's the first time I've ever beat the media to the press conference.
— Marquavius Burnett (@Marq_Burnett) September 6, 2014
Sims and Coker
While Blake Sims once again looked sharp and confident at the quarterback position, Jake Coker looked rather lukewarm in his first game while playing significant minutes.
As has been noted on countless occasions, although Coker looks the part of a potent quarterback and probably has more talent than Sims, Coker's outing against FAU was marred by mental mistakes and a couple of time management blunders.
Sims knows the system, while Coker is a work in progress. Having said that, Coker, all things considered, had a nice afternoon in the numbers department.
Blake Sims 11/13 214 yards 2 TDs (Also rushed for a TD)
Jake Coker 15/24 202 yards 1 TD
Despite the abbreviated finish, it was still just the third 400-yard passing game (team) in Alabama history, the first since 1988 Sun Bowl.
— Cecil Hurt (@CecilHurt) September 6, 2014
Cooper shines again
For the second consecutive week, Crimson Tide wide receiver Amari Cooper had an all-world performance. After catching a total of 12 passes for 130 yards against West Virginia, Cooper snagged 13 receptions for 189 yards and one touchdown against FAU.
Alabama WR Amari Cooper ties program record with 13 receptions.
— Andrew Gribble (@Andrew_Gribble) September 6, 2014
Bet Amari Cooper's happy to play for Lane Kiffin: 1st 2 gms: 25 catches, 319 yds. Already more than half the catches he had in 2013 (45)
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) September 6, 2014
Eddie Jackson is back
Barring injury, defensive back Bradley Sylve will likely never play another significant minute for the Crimson Tide this season.
Why? Enter Eddie Jackson...
The star sophomore, who didn't see the field against West Virginia, took over the starting role against FAU and didn't disappoint. Jackson had a solid outing in respect to pass coverage while lowing the boom on several Florida Atlantic receivers and running backs.
Jackson, who tore his ACL in early April, appears to be the new starting corner for the long run, opposite Cyrus Jones.
@AlabamaFTBL CB Eddie Jackson is returning from ACL 5 months and 4 days since injury. #AmazingRehab
— Phil Savage (@SeniorBowlPhil) September 6, 2014
Nick Saban's postgame presser
Tide coach Nick Saban shares his thoughts following Alabama's victory over Florida Atlantic.
Looking ahead
Next Saturday Alabama will tangle with Southern Mississippi, so Tide fans will likely see more of the same in respect to significant personnel rotations.
When it comes to the quarterback battle, Saban and company will likely play Coker and Sims in the same fashion they did against FAU. Barring something insane, the Crimson Tide should have a handle on USM by the second quarter...if not sooner.
Blake Sims on Jake Coker: "He's got strengths where my weakness is and I've got strengths where his weakness is. We're a team." #Alabama
— Cecil Hurt (@CecilHurt) September 6, 2014
While the competition, in respect to FAU, wasn't very stiff, Alabama looked much better from a fundamental standpoint. As noted in the game preview, Alabama biggest competition would be Alabama, and that was exactly the case.
Continued growth and maturity will be critical for the Tide as conference play begins in two weeks with a home clash against Florida.
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