Alabama and Auburn Start off the Season Big and Rich

The Big Disappointment

In what had to be the most surprising feature of the early season for D1 Football in the state of Alabama, Utah State's Kerwynn Williams scored the first touchdown of the season at Jordan-Hare on a 43-yard scamper off left guard against the unprepared Auburn Tiger defense.

But the Tiger offense regained their composure after an initial three and out to tie the game very quickly on their second possession. Barrett Trotter connected with Emory Blake for a 56-yard score.

Unfortunately for the Tigers, the defense could not sustain the momentum on the plains as the Aggies took the lead right back to win the first quarter of play with a 3-yard fun run by QB Chuckie Keeton. The game began to look even more grim for the faithful fans at Jordan-Hare when the Aggies scored the first touchdown of the second quarter with 7:58 remaining in the half.

The Auburn special teams struck back quickly on the ensuing kickoff. Tre Mason went untouched for a 97-yard return to the end zone, keeping the competition respectable. At the end of the half, Ontario McCalebb and Michael Dyer had combined for a whopping 26-yards. Trotter passed for 88-yards, most coming on a single play.

Auburn went into halftime down seven to the Utah State. Aggie QB Chuckie Keeton rushed for more than 130 yards in the first half against the Tigers.

The Rich Tradition

Meanwhile, in the heart of Dixie, The Alabama Crimson Tide forced a three and out on the first possession by the Golden Flashes then promptly put together an impressive opening drive after a stellar punt return by designated 2011 Crimson spark plug, Marquis Maze. That initial score, a 1-yard run by Richardson off right tackle, in front of 101,000 rabid fans ripped of the first round of fireworks in Tuscaloosa. 

The second volley came after the second offensive possession by the Crimson Tide. Led by AJ McCarron, the Tide went right back to Marquis Maze on a 24-yard strike right through the heart of the Kent State defense. That score was initiated by a 48-yard gain by backup running back, Eddie Lacy, off a halfback screen from McCarron. Game on for the Tide.

Phillip Sims entered the game on Alabama's fourth possession, using the short field established by the special teams, and promptly led Alabama to their third touchdown of the day. On the first play from the Kent State 38-yard line, Eddie Lacy scampered 20-yards, on two perfectly executed spin moves that caused miss after miss by the Kent State defenders. After a 10-yard catch by DeAndre White, Richardson rushed 9-yards to put the Tide ahead, 21-0.

At the end of the half, the Crimson Tide led the Golden Flashes 24-0.

Kent State had 23 total yards on 39 plays in the first half and did not post a single first down. Alabama totaled 256 yards in the half on 47 total plays. The Tide's air assault yeilded 193 yards while the rushers totaled 63 yards. Jeremy Shelley added to the scoring with a 36-yard field goal with 1:35 left in the half. 

Finishing the Job

 With 13:00 left in the 4th quarter, Auburn led the Aggie's 28-24. Utah State stood at the Auburn 12 yard line, third down and one. Robert Turbin ran three yards off right guard to get the first down and keep the drive alive. On the second play from scrimmage, true freshman QB, Chuckie Keeton capped off an 80-yard drive and scampered 7-yards into the end zone to put the Aggies ahead, 31-28.

Despite offensive success by the Tigers, the defense could not keep the pesky Aggies at bay. On the ensuing Aggie drive, Keeton led his underdogs on a 14 play, 60-yard drive to put the Auburn Tigers down by 10-points with under four minutes to play.

Auburn would not go down without a fight. After a very quick score, perfectly executed by the Auburn offense, a perfectly executed onside kick by the Tiger special teams put the ball back into the hands of the offense.

Barrett Trotter methodically led his offense down the field for a second touchdown, in less that a minute, to take a four point lead over the Aggies. That lead would hold, as the Aggies could not muster the energy to match the offense of the defending national champions. 

At Bryant-Denny, AJ McCarron solidified his stake as the leader for the starting position as the Alabama Quarterback. Following two miscues by team mate Phillip Sims, one of which was returned for a score, McCarron took the reigns from the wounded warrior and led the Tide on an eight play, 76 yard drive to put the Tide up 31-7. And in just over one minute of play, due to miscues on the part of Kent State, the Crimson Tide rolled the score to 38-7.

Alabama would finish the game with 483 yards of total offense while holding Kent State to under 100 yards. The Golden Flashes had a total of -9 yards rushing on 23 carries in four quarters against the Alabama Crimson Tide defense. Kent State QB Spencer Keith completed 20 of 47 attempts for 99 yards.

Spencer Keith, a Little Rock, Arkansas native son, gave up only one interception against the tight coverage provided by the Alabama defense, that one coming in the fourth quarter, during the last drive. It was the last offensive play of the game for the Kent State Golden Flashes.

Alabama won by a score of 48-7. By the looks of what was revealed in week one, the Crimson Tide is prepared for the long road ahead and intends to dominate their opponent.

On the Plains, the jury is still out but the challenge posed by the team from Utah State suggests that the Auburn defense has a long way to go before they can contend in the SEC. Offensively, Auburn was streaky, and at times looked incredibly gifted.

But there were too many three and outs against an Aggie team that is not known for defensive prowess. In the end, McCalebb and Dyer were helpful in the win but they were held to 101 combined yards for the game. That will not translate into wins against SEC competition.

Impressively, the Auburn offense accomplished the goal of winning the game while possessing the ball only 22:19 minutes and running 54 offensive plays. Trotter completed 17-23 passes for 261 yards and got his team into the end zone when it counted.

While the victory in Tuscaloosa was more encouraging for Tide fans, there is much to correct before the kickoff in Happy Valley. Four interceptions is four too many, particularly when one leads to an easy score for the opposition. And Trent Richardson, while posting three touchdowns on the day, only rushed for a total of 37 yards on 13 carries.

The Alabama offensive line played well, but they will have to open up better holes and keep the defenders off the running backs in the backfield. Penn State will be a more difficult opponent, particularly on the road.

Leave it to Saban to find mistakes to correct in such a dominant win. Chizik will have plenty of material to work with as well. Both teams will have to recover in the next 24 hours and get ready for practice on Monday.

Both teams must find a way to put week one behind them and roll into game two with no memory of what happened on opening day. No championships are handed out in week one.