A quarter-by-quarter look at Alabama’s 29-15 win over Florida in Saturday’s SEC Championship game at the Georgia Dome.
First quarter
Big play: Overwhelming Florida's punt protection, Alabama's Keith Holcombe blocked Florida's punt attempt into the end zone for a safety and a 2-0 lead at the 9:05 mark. It was the first time the Gators had had a punt blocked all season.
Turning point: After the safety and an Alabama three-and-out that gave the Gators the ball back at their 8-yard line, a 46-yard pass reception by Florida wide receiver Antonio Callaway gave them breathing room. However, the Gators' kicking-game woes continued when kicker Austin Hardin missed his fifth field-goal try in a row, this time a low attempt from 40 yards that was blocked.
Takeaway: Two kicking-game snafus foiled the Gators, which was holding off Alabama's offense, but one big pass play aside, could do little against the Crimson Tide.
Score: Alabama 2, Florida 0
Second quarter
Big play: After Alabama punter J.K. Scott's crushing 59-yard punt gave him a running start at the Tide coverage team, Callaway dashed 85 yards up the middle of the field for a punt-return score at the 11:53 mark, the first such score against the Tide since 2008. Florida kicker Neil MacInnes made the point-after try for a 7-2 lead, his second attempt this season.
Turning point: After the Tide picked up a field goal and then forced a three-and-out, Alabama quarterback Jake Coker opened the next possession by unloading a 55-yard strike to wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who won the ball against bracketed coverage. Two plays later, Tide running back Derrick Henry ran through a tackle for a 2-yard touchdown run and a 12-7 lead with 2:26 left in the half.
Takeaway: While the underdog Gators were down by only one possession, they were 0-for-7 on third downs and gave no discernible hope for a sustained possession against the Tide.
Score: Alabama 12, Florida 7
Third quarter
Big play: On its second possession of the second half, Alabama began to secure the game with a 32-yard touchdown pass from Coker to wide receiver ArDarius Stewart on a third-and-4. Stewart outleapt cornerback Vernon Hargreaves and safety Marcus Maye, the same pair victimized by Ridley in the second quarter.
Turning point: After Alabama opened the lead to 15-7 on the opening possession of the second half, Florida quarterback Treon Harris's pass to a wide-open tight end was dropped on first down, an off-target slant pass on second down was incomplete and then, after a false start, Harris couldn't fit in a pass to Callaway on third down. It was the Gators' sixth three-and-out in eight possessions.
Takeaway: With the Alabama defense overpowering the Gators, the Tide offense took over against a proud but exhausted Florida defense. In the quarter, Alabama gained 171 yards to two for the Gators. In the quarter, Henry passed Herschel Walker's 34-year-old SEC single-season rushing record (1,891 yards).
Score: Alabama 22, Florida 7
Fourth quarter
Big play: Alabama linebacker Tim Williams' second sack of the game, with just under four minutes to play, ended the Gators' final possession to secure the Tide's second SEC title in a row, their fourth under coach Nick Saban and 25th overall.
Turning point: No turning points here, other than Gators fans heading back to their cars.
Takeaway: For the playoff committee and for Florida, Alabama left no doubt.
Score: Alabama 29, Florida 15
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