Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Alabama Crimson Tide Match Player Stats On Sep 08, 2012

SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 8, 2012

No. 1 Alabama 35, Western Kentucky 0: Quarterback AJ McCarron threw for 219 yards and matched a career high with four touchdown passes as the No. 1 Crimson Tide routed the visiting Hilltoppers.

Western Kentucky (1-1) fumbled the ball away three times in the first half, two of which led to scores after Alabama (2-0) opened the game with a 72-yard drive in 1:53, capped by McCarron's 14-yard TD pass to Christion Jones.

McCarron connected on TD passes to Kevin Norwood (33 yards) and Jones (22) later in the half to make it 21-0.

McCarron's 12-yard strike to Norwood in the third quarter was set up by Deion Belue's interception and made it 28-0. Kenyan Drake added a 32-yard TD run in the fourth quarter to cap the scoring.

Alabama struggled to get a consistent ground game going, totaling only 103 yards. McCarron was also sacked six times.

The Hilltoppers totaled 224 yards of offense and their best chance to score came after driving to the Alabama 19 in the second quarter. Quarterback Kawaun Jakes, however, was sacked scrambling on third down and lost the ball, and Western Kentucky never seriously threatened again.

Western Kentucky was shut out for the first time since 2002, when it lost 14-0 to Western Illinois.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Neither team committed a penalty in the first half. ... Alabama has allowed seven points or less in 18 of last 19 first halves. ... Boxing legend Evander Holyfield gave a speech in the Western Kentucky locker room before the game.