Alabama managed to escape the Swamp with a tight 31-29 win against SEC rival, Florida, on Saturday.
Things started off quite well for the Crimson Tide with two consecutive 75+ yard touchdown drives, courtesy of Jahleel Billingsley and Jase McClellan.
All the Gators could do in the first quarter was chip in 25-yard field goal, but the Crimson Tide was quick to respond with another touchdown, ending the first quarter 21-3.
Florida wasn’t looking to go down quietly however, the Gators defense clamped down on the Tide didn’t allow any second quarter points. Florida was able to put up six thanks to 26-yard touchdown run from Malik Harris but couldn’t capitalize on the extra point attempt.
“When we got ahead 21-3, I think our players played absolutely great football. And then we go three-plays-and-out three times in a row on offense.” Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban said. “Eventually, they score a touchdown and get the crowd back into the game, and then it was difficult after that. It was really difficult after that.”
The Gators smelled blood in the water and wasted no time putting together a ten play, 75-yard touchdown drive. Alabama responded with a long touchdown drive of their own but Florida was quick to strike back with 99-yard touchdown drive, ending the quarter 28-23 with the advantage still going into Alabama’s favor.
“What concerned me most was that we could not sustain our intensity, especially on defense. We had a lot of mental errors.” Saban said “And they did a good job, they did a really good job. They had a good plan.”
The game came down to execution in the fourth quarter. The Crimson Tide was able to slightly extend their lead with a field goal early but shortly after the Gators will able to get the game within a two-point conversion but couldn’t capitalize and the Crimson Tide walked away with a 31-29 victory.
“I’m not going to get into the specifics.” Florida Head Coach Dan Mullen said of the failed conversion. “We had a guy line up wrong and a guy go the wrong way.”
The No.11 Gators drop to 2-1 on the season and will face the Tennessee Volunteers next Saturday.
I know [the team] is disappointed, but you play in championship-level games andt he margin of error is going to be extremely small. We have to embrace that at practice this week. We have to come together as a team with the positive energy of eliminating every little error at
practice within our preparation and have it show out in our performance against Tennessee next week.”
The No.1 Crimson Tide take on Southern Mississippi next Saturday.
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