Alabama won the toss to begin the game and elected to receive.
Alabama’s first drive looked easy as quarterback A.J. McCarron led the Tide down the field with two passes for gains of over 20 yard. The Rams, though, controlled the run and only gave up seven yards to running back Jalston Fowler on the drive. On fourth down, the Tide attempted a 46-yard field goal but it was short and the Rams took over on downs.
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After taking over on their own 29-yard line, Rams quarterback Garrett Grayson completed his first pass to receiver Rashard Higgins for a nine yard gain. Running back Chris Nwoke was given the ball on the second play and gained two yards for a first down. The drive ended quickly, though, after Grayson’s next pass was dropped by receiver Joe Hansley who is playing for the first time since the game against the University of Colorado on Sept. 1.
On the next play, Grayson’s pass was deflected and he was taken down quickly by Alabama defenders. After a three yard gain by Grayson on third down, the Rams were forced to punt it away.
The first score of the game came after an 83-yard drive in 4:34 in which Alabama elected to go for it on fourth down. Fowler ran the ball into the end zone to make the score 7-0 Alabama at the end of the first.
With 12:41 left in the second quarter, Alabama blocked the punt by CSU’s Hayden Hunt and ran it back for the score, giving the Tide a 14-0 lead.
After a 46-yard field goal by Alabama’s Cade Foster Alabama hold a 17-0 lead over the Rams at the end of the half.
Football Beat Reporter Katie O’Keefe can be reached at sports@collegian.com.
