ATLANTA ? On Friday in the bowels of the Georgia Dome, UF coach Jim McElwain said top-ranked Alabama was "not unbeatable." A day later, his Gators went out and appeared ready to prove it during Saturday's SEC title game.
UF put up a fight and even bloodied the nose of the mighty Crimson Tide. But the SEC's bully did not back down and just got angry. Coach Nick Saban's Crimson Tide turned back the scrappy Gators during a 54-16 win to continue Alabama's march toward a perfect season.
"I was really proud of the way our guys came out in the second half and played. This was a great win for our team," Saban told the CBS broadcast team after the win. " ... Florida's got a good team. They got a little worn out in the game. Jim's doing a great job there."
McElwain's Gators needed to play a perfect game, but instead gave the Crimson Tide too many easy points and failed to cash in at the game's most-critical juncture. In the end, though, a game expected to be an Alabama blowout from the jump delivered a good bit of drama at the Georgia Dome.
The first quarter featured wild momentum swings and heart-stopping highlights to energize an announced crowd of 74,362. With UF trailing 33-16, the Crimson Tide stopped the Gators four times from the Alabama 2-yard line or closer. On third-and-goal, Bama linebacker Rashaan Evans knocked back leaping UF tailback Jordan Scarlett, rekindling memories of Barry Krauss' hit against Penn State in the 1979 Sugar Bowl. That play earned Bear Bryant his record sixth national title. Saban is now two victories away from title No. 6 himself following his team's 25th consecutive win _ and sixth consecutive victory against the Gators (8-4).
The Crimson Tide's latest win showcased their ability to beat teams in a variety of ways. Alabama (13-0) scored two touchdowns and led 16-7 before they had even managed a first down, highlighting a first quarter featuring a little of everything. The scintillating 15-minute stretch began with UF quarterback Austin Appleby's most impressive series of downs this season. The fifth-year senior was cool-headed and on the mark to open the game against the nation's top-ranked defense, leading the Gators to the first touchdown scored against the Crimson Tide since an Oct. 22 win against Texas A&M. Facing third-and-14 after a false-start penalty and a sloppy start, Appleby found Antonio Callaway for 18 yards.
The Gators did not manage a third-down conversion against Alabama during the entire 2015 SEC title game. Appleby and the Gators were not finished. Twice facing third down, Appleby found Brandon Powell for 13 yards and Callaway for 24 yards to the Alabama 5. On the next play, Appleby hit a leaping Callaway in the end zone on a slant pattern. But Appleby could not maintain his stellar play and soon became Alabama's best offense. Following a three-and-out by Alabama on its first drive, Appleby forced a first-down throw into the middle of the field and into the hands of Crimson Tide linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton, who returned it 40 yards to set up a 31-yard field goal by Adam Griffith.
The Gators' next series ended with another Appleby interception, with Alabama safety Minkah Fitzpatrick returning it 44 yards for a touchdown and a 10-7 Crimson Tide lead. The touchdown was Alabama's 13th non-offensive touchdown _ tops in the nation _ and epitomized the many ways Saban's team can beat an opponent. To drive home the point, the Crimson Tide scored off a blocked punt on UF's next series. The Gators' answered with a block of their own on the extra-point attempt, and linebacker David Reese returned it the length of the field for two points to keep the game close. But the Crimson Tide's offense then came alive.
Leading 16-9 when the first quarter ended, Alabama had minus-7 yards of offense. The Crimson Tide ended the first half with 171 yards and a 33-16 advantage. Following a face mask by UF defensive end Jabari Zuniga, Alabama All-SEC receiver Calvin Ridley turned a screen pass into a 52-yard gain to the Gators' 9. Three plays later, Hurts scrambled right while under pressure and calmly floated a perfect pass to Gehrig Dieter in the end zone.
Hurts, the first first-year freshman quarterback to start in the SEC title game, opened the game 2-of-5 passing for nine yards, but completed six of his next 11 throws for 103 yards. The Gators tried what they could to keep up, but little seemed to work. Alabama All-SEC linebacker Reuben Foster, the game's most valuable player, blew up a flea-flicker play in the UF backfield for a 12-yard loss. Later, the Crimson Tide sniffed out a fake punt and stuffed Johnny Townsend for an 11-yard loss.
The Gators did score late in the first half on a 25-yard touchdown catch by tight end DeAndre Goolsby. But following the Tide's goal-line stand, the Gators began to wear down, leaving McElwain 2-7 at UF against ranked teams. The Gators now face the possibility of another three-game losing streak to end the season if the team does not bounce back during UF's bowl game.
