photo by AL.com
ALABAMA FOOTBALL: Florida Atlantic vs. Alabama
by Cole Thompson
Live game day coverage of the home opener at Bryant-Denny Stadium as the 2nd ranked Alabama Crimson Tide take on the Florida Atlantic Eagles.
9:45- Officially set up in the press box of Bryant-Denny Stadium. Few players from both sides have entered the field for quick run through and stretch.
9:55- Florida Atlantic Owls kickers, long snappers and punters enter the field on the south side end zone post to warm up and practice.
10:05- Alabama Crimson Tide kickers, punters, and long snappers enter the field on the north side end zone post to warp up and practice. 1 hour away from kickoff.
10:13- Alabama’s offensive line, receivers and tight ends enter the field on the north side end zone to begin running drills
10:18– Florida Atlantic’s entire squad enter the field on the south side end zone and begin stretching
10:20– Alabama enters the field on the north side end zone and begin stretching led by coach Scott Cochran
10:30– Alabama announces their starting line-ups: UPDTATE: cornerback Eddie Jackson will start today in place of Bradley Slvye. Jackson, tore his ACL during spring training this past season.
10:38- Weather update- high of 84 degrees with winds coming from the south. partly cloudy and should reamin this way throughout the game. field heat- 97 degrees. Official kickoff time; 11:01
10:40– Both teams exit the field, less then 30 minutes away from kickoff
10:42- Alabama honors former Alabama Gymnastics coaches Sarah and David Patterson who recently retired after 36 years as head coach.
10:45- Students begin to pile into the seats as the Million Dollar band enters the field to play the famous Yeah Alabama fight song.
10:52- Honorary captains named for today: members of the 2009 Alabama championship team: Former player Eryk Anders and Corey Reamer
10:55- Alabama enters the field to the annual AC/DC song Thunderstruck. It’s football time Ladies and Gentleman!
-First Quarter-
Captains Denzel Duvall, Jalston Fowler and Ryan Kelley enter midfield for the coin toss. Alabama won the toss and will receive. Alabama will return from the South End zone. Landon Collins and Christon Jones to return the kick
First Drive- (7 plays, 74 yards, 2:22) Alabama- 7, Florida Atlantic- 0
Blake Sims passes to Amari Cooper, gain of 21 yards. First down Alabama at their own 49. After a run by TJ Yeldon, Blake Sims completes pass to Chris Black for a gain of 18 yards, first down Alabama at FAU. Sims then completes another pass to Amari Cooper for 16 yards, before a 7 yard run by Blake Sims gives them the lead.
– Florida Atlantic to start on their own 21 after and 18 yard game-
Florida Atlantic lucky with a pass interference call by Cyrus Jones. But Alabama prevails with big hits by Eddie Jackson and Reggie Ragland to make the Owls put from their own 49.
-Alabama will start the drive from their own 27-
Scoring Drive (3 plays, 74 yards, 1:20) Alabama-14 Florida Atlantic- 0
Sims remains in the game and delivers a pass to Kenyan Drake for a 14 yard gain. After a 2 yard completion to Amari Cooper, Sims hits Cooper on the screen with a 52 gain for the Touchdown. Griffith makes the PAT
-Owls will begin at their own 25 after the touchback-
After a first down made by Quarterback Greg Hankerson, Reggie Ragland and Cyrus Jones come up big with a sack and forced fumble. another quick drive for Alabama’s defense.
-Alabama will begin drive at own 22 yard line-
Scoring Drive (8 plays 78 yards, 3:35) Alabama- 21 Florida Atlantic- 0
Blake Sims and Amari Cooper show their Agility with both jukes leading to 1st down. Then, Sims with another screen, this time to Kenyan Drake with a 39 yard touchdown run. Griffith with the PAT
-Florida Atlantic starts on own 25-
First play with the FUMBLE! Eddie Jackson with the fumble and Reggie Ragland with the Recovery.
-Alabama to start at FAU 39-
Jake Coker enters the game for the first time at Bryant-Denny. no passes thrown at the end of the Quarter
END OF FIRST QUARTER- Alabama 21, Florida Atlantic 0
-SECOND QUARTER-
Scoring drive- ( 9 plays, 37 yards, 4:03) Alabama 24, Florida Atlantic- 0
In Coker’s first drive, he runs 5 yards and gets a pair of passes off to Amari Cooper. But the Owls defense showed up goal line stance making the Tide walk off the field with a 22 yard field goal by Adam Griffith.
-Florida Atlantic begins drive from their own 11-
After a big hit by Kenyan Drake, Alabama’s defense makes a stand with a 3 and out shut down. Florida Atlantic forced to put again.
-Alabama begins drive at own 13 after block in the back call by Raheem Falkins-
Scoring drive (12 plays, 87 yards 3:52)- Alabama 31 Florida Atlantic- 0
Jake Coker came off to a slow start with a few missed passes to Amari Cooper and Adarius Stewart. However, Coker was able to show of his quick thinking with two great 3rd down conversions leading to a 3 yard touchdown pass to Jalston Flower. Adam Griffith with the PAT
-Florida Atlantic will start on own 12-
Florida Atlantic began the drive strong, especially off Lucky Whitehead with his 2 big first downs and a penalty by Cyrus Jones. However, Alabama’s defense was able to hold them to 1 first down and a huge sack by Ryan Anderson. Owls forced to punt again
-Alabama begins drive at own 22-
After a 1st down gain by Cooper, and pair of good runs by TJ Yeldon, Coker shows his arm strength with a 43 yard pass to Cooper down the sideline. While Coker wasn’t able to score on the drive, fans did get a glimpse of the strength of Coker’s arm
HALFTIME- Alabama 31, Florida Atlantic 0
-Third Quarter-
-Florida Atlantic starts on their own 13-
Another great play by the Alabama defense with a huge loss made by Jonathan Allen. Another 3 and out drive for the Owls.
-Alabama will start drive on their own 34-
While fans saw a glimpse of Jake Coker, Blake Sims entered the game to start the second half. After a 41 yard completion to Christion Jones and an 11 yard pass to Chris Black, TJ Yeldon fumbles within the goal line and is recovered by the Owls.
-Florida Atlantic to start at their own 2-
Florida Atlantic was able to produce this drive with a 31 yard run by Jay Warren and a phenomenal catch by Jenson Stoshak. However, the Owls were unable to produce enough to score with a 4th down tipped pass by Trey DePreist. Alabama takes over on Downs
-Alabama begins Drive at their own 29-
Scoring Drive( 8 plays, 71 yards, 4:12) Alabama 38, Florida Atlantic 0
Jake Coker once again enters the game and what a drive he had. After two completions to Amari Cooper, Coker once again shows off his arm strength with a 3rd down 40 yard completion to Adarius Stewart, leading to a 3 yard touchdown run by Kenyan Drake. Adam Griffith with the PAT
-Florida Atlantic to begin drive at their own 25-
Alabama’s defense featured four freshman from the 2014 recruiting class including DE Da’Shawn Hand and LB Rashann Evans. Another slow drive by the Owls as they turn it over on downs.
-Alabama begins drive from their own 42-
Coker returns on the field this drive but this drive was all about Tyren Jones. Jones went 2 for 28 with 2 first downs as the third quarter comes to an end.
-FOURTH QUARTER-
Scoring drive (9 plays, 42 yards, 4:02) Alabama 41 Florida Atlantic 0
After an almost beautiful touchdown by Adarius Stewart, Coker manages to step up big again with a 4th down completion to Stewart to keep the drive going. Unfortunately, Alabama couldn’t manage to get in the end zone and settle with another field goal by Adam Griffith.
-Florida Atlantic begin drive on their own 22-
Florida Atlantic couldn’t get anything going anywhere. After a sack by true freshman Rashann Evans, Cyrus Jones returns the punt back 67 yards to put Alabama in scoring position.
-Alabama begins drive from FAU 9-
After the Cyrus Jones punt return, Jake Coker returns to the field to try and get another touchdown. Alabama decides to take a chance and go for it on 4th and goal…that is until the referee’s call a weather delay due to lighting. both teams now enter the locker rooms with 7:53 left to play in the game.
WEATHER DELAY
With 7:53 left in the game, Both teams agree to call the game due to weather delay.
FINAL- ALABAMA 41 FLORIDA ATLANTIC 0
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