Top-ranked Alabama scored the game’s final 21 points in Atlanta on Saturday night to pull away from No. 3 Florida State, 24-7, in the season-opener for both teams.
Florida State (0-1) took its only lead in early in the second quarter as Deondre Francois capped a 90-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown toss to Auden Tate to put the Seminoles up 7-3. That lead was short-lived as Alabama answered with an 85-yard drive of its own that was capped with a 53-yard touchdown pass from Jalen Hurts to Calvin Ridley.
The Seminoles missed an opportunity late in the half to tie the contest or take the lead. After no call came on what appeared to be a pass interference penalty on a throw from Francois to Nyqwan Murray in the end zone, FSU kicker Ricky Aguayo had his potential game-tying field goal blocked. From there, the special teams miscues for FSU just got worse.
The Crimson Tide (1-0) were able to take advantage of a blocked punt late in the third quarter. After starting at the FSU 6-yard-line, Alabama extended the lead to 13-7 on a 25-yard field goal from Andy Pappanastos. After Keith Gavin fumbled the ensuing kickoff for FSU, Alabama needed to just one play to score its second touchdown of the night as Damien Harris scored from 11 yards out.
Pappanastos would add a third field goal midway through the fourth quarter to put the game away.
Statistically, FSU did not fare much worse than Alabama, but the miscues were too much to overcome as the Seminoles turned it over three times in addition to having a kick and punt blocked. Francois passed for 210 yards, but threw interceptions on consecutive possessions in the second half. He would leave the game with an apparent knee injury late in the final quarter, which may be a bigger concern for FSU than the final score.
Ridley finished with 82 yards receiving for the Crimson Tide while Damien Harris led all rushers with 73 yards on the ground. Hurts rushed for 55 yards to go with 96 yards passing for Alabama in the win.
Both teams will play their home-openers next week. Alabama will host Fresno State while FSU takes on Louisiana-Monroe.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
FSU_Jeep
September 3, 2017 at 12:33 am
Even with the loss what defense we have this year!