Alabama Crimson Tide vs Virginia Tech Hokies Match Player Stats On Aug 31, 2013

SportsDirect Inc. staff
Aug 31, 2013

No. 1 Alabama 35, Virginia Tech 10: Christion Jones returned a kickoff and a punt for touchdowns and added a receiving score as the visiting Crimson Tide crushed the Hokies in Atlanta.

Jones piled up 209 return yards to go along with 47 yards on two catches, and T.J. Yeldon rushed for 75 yards and a score as Alabama began its trek toward a third straight BCS National Championship.

Redshirt freshman Trey Edmunds provided the lone highlight for Virginia Tech with a 77-yard touchdown run and finished with 132 yards on 20 carries. Logan Thomas was bothered into a 5-for-26 passing performance for 59 yards and an interception.

The Crimson Tide had trouble getting much done on offense in the first half but made up for it on defense and special teams. Jones broke free for a 72-yard punt return 1:39 into the game, Vinnie Sunseri made it a 21-7 gap early in the second with a 38-yard interception return for a touchdown and Jones responded to a Virginia Tech field goal by returning the ensuing kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown with 3:25 left in the half.

A.J. McCarron was just 10-for-23 for 110 yards but found Jones for a 38-yard touchdown pass with 3:43 left in the third quarter to stretch the lead to 35-10. The defense took care of the rest, holding the Hokies to 52 total yards in the second half.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Alabama scored three non-offensive touchdowns in one game for the first time since Sept. 30, 1995 against Georgia. … Jones is the first Crimson Tide player since 1944 with at least two returns for a touchdown in the same game and the first FBS player with a kickoff and a punt return TD in the same game since 2006. … Virginia Tech RB J.C. Coleman (ankles) did not make the trip to Atlanta.