ARLINGTON, Texas – Alabama opened its national title defense in impressive fashion, overwhelming Michigan in a 41-14 rout in the Cowboys Classic.
By Matthew Emmons, US Presswire
Alabama's C.J. Mosley celebrates with Vinnie Sunseri after his interception return for a touchdown in the second quarter.
By Matthew Emmons, US Presswire
Alabama's C.J. Mosley celebrates with Vinnie Sunseri after his interception return for a touchdown in the second quarter.
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The second-ranked Crimson Tide sucked most of the drama out of the most anticipated matchup of the weekend when it jumped out to a 31-0 lead in the second quarter.
A boisterous crowd of 90,413 at Cowboys Stadium watched an Alabama team that lost four first-round NFL draft picks reaffirm that it will be a serious challenger to win its third BCS title in four years.
Alabama's defensive players have said they have a "chip on their shoulder" to prove they can be as dominant as last year's defensive unit, one of the most suffocating in college football's modern era. Despite the inexperience of some new starters, no drop-off was noticed while the matchup between two storied programs was still competitive.
In the first half, the defense neutralized the talents of Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson, who completed just five first-half passes and did not run the ball until the final minute of the second quarter. Alabama intercepted two of Robinson's first-half passes, including one that linebacker C.J. Mosley returned 16 yards for the Crimson Tide's fourth touchdown of the half.
Michigan did not move the ball past midfield until late in the second quarter, when Robinson completed a 71-yard pass to Jeremy Gallon. That play accounted for more than half of Michigan's 119 total yards in the half.
Alabama's undisputed strength this season is its mammoth offensive line, arguably the nation's best. And running behind that line this season will be a trio of backs - Eddie Lacy, Jalston Fowler and T.J. Yeldon -- looking to fill the void left by Trent Richardson, the third overall pick in the draft.
What was particularly impressive tonight was the debut of Alabama's T.J. Yeldon, a freshman running back who rushed for 67 yards on five carries in the first half alone.
Michigan's offense was without tailback Fitz Toussaint, who rushed for 1,014 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Toussaint was initially suspended after his July 21 drunken-driving arrest but had been practicing since the second week of training camp. On Tuesday, he pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of operating a vehicle while visually impaired.
Robinson could not carry the Wolverines alone. He went to the locker room in the third quarter after getting banged up while scrambling. Robinson returned but Alabama remained comfortably in control of the game.
