Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs Alabama Crimson Tide Match Player Stats On Sep 12, 2015

The Sports Xchange
Sep 12, 2015

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The final score showed a blowout, but the play on the field showed a team with flaws in second-ranked Alabama's 37-10 victory over Middle Tennessee State on Saturday, particularly in the first quarter.

Two of Alabama's first four drives ended with a punt while another ended on a turnover on downs.

Middle Tennessee outgained Alabama 120 to 66 in total offense in the first quarter, with the Crimson Tide picking up just seven rushing yards.

The Tide's defense allowed the Raiders to march up and down the field, but held strong in the red zone, as Middle Tennessee missed a field goal and fumbled deep in Alabama's territory in the first quarter.

The Tide's lone score in the first 12 minutes came on its second possession of the day with Jake Coker finding Robert Foster for a 19-yard score to make it 7-0.

Middle Tennessee added a 20-yard field goal at the start of the second quarter for its only points of the half.

Alabama's offense found a bit of rhythm early in the second, scoring on its first two drives of the half. Tide junior running back Derrick Henry finished off a 10-play drive with a 2-yard touchdown to make it 14-3.

On Alabama's next possession, Kenyan Drake took a pop pass from Coker 69 yards to the 1-yard line. Henry capped the two-play drive with a 1-yard score for his second touchdown of the game to make it 21-3 in the Tide's favor.

With the Raiders backed up into the end zone, Tide freshman Ronnie Harrison blocked a punt and Alabama added a safety to make it 23-3 at the half.

In the second half, Alabama added two more scores on Drake and Henry touchdowns. Drake scored from 14 yards out on a pop pass from Cooper Bateman. It was Bateman's first career passing touchdown. Henry added his third touchdown of the day on a 28-yard rush over left tackle. Henry now has six touchdowns on the season.

Middle Tennessee added a late touchdown on a 15-yard pass from backup quarterback Austin Grammer to Rod Ducksworth.

Notes: Alabama LB Reuben Foster left the game in the third quarter with an apparent left arm/shoulder injury. Foster is one of the Crimson Tide's starting inside linebackers. He battled neck stingers all last season. Jake Coker started the game at quarterback for Alabama and played the entire first half. Cooper Bateman came in to start the second half and played with the first-team offense. The Tide is still rotating the two players to see who can win the competition. ... Middle Tennessee State QB Austin Grammer threw the team's lone touchdown pass. He is a Tuscaloosa native. ... Alabama will host Ole Miss next week to open SEC play in a top-10 showdown. Middle Tennessee State will host Charlotte next weekend.