SportsDirect Inc. staff
Nov 17, 2012
No. 5 Alabama 49, Western Carolina 0: Eddie Lacy rushed for 99 yards and three touchdowns - all in the first half - and Alabama's defense turned in a dominant effort as the Crimson Tide routed the visiting Catamounts in a non-conference contest.
Alabama (10-1) outgained Western Carolina 460-163 - including a 338-40 edge in the first half - and allowed just eight first downs.
A.J. McCarron was 6-for-6 for 133 yards before sitting the entire second half, and his 29-yard touchdown pass to Christion Jones in the second quarter was his 21st this season, breaking Greg McElroy's school record.
The Crimson Tide still have an outside shot at the BCS title game but must beat Auburn in the annual Iron Bowl game next week, take down Georgia in the SEC Championship game and get some help from upsets among the top three teams.
Alabama has won all three meetings with WCU by a combined 153-6 margin, though one of those victories has since been vacated. The Catamounts (1-10) finished the season with 10 consecutive losses.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Alabama K Jeremy Shelley went 7-for-7 on PATs to remain the only kicker in the nation who has not missed a kick. He is 53-for-53 on PATs and 10-for-10 on field goals. … The Crimson Tide have scored in 153 consecutive games, the longest streak in school history. … Western Carolina has never beaten an FBS opponent and has not defeated an NCAA Division I team since Oct. 2, 2010.