The Alabama Crimson Tide became the SEC College Football Champions, for the third year in a row, by defeating the Florida Gators 54 to 16 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Florida was the underdog going into the game, but the Gator struck first by scoring a touchdown on their very first drive. That didn’t sit well with game MVP Reuben Foster of Alabama.
“We don’t like that," says Foster, "We don’t like giving points, we don’t like giving up first downs. We hate that. So, we had to overcome that and step up.”
Alabama responded with three interceptions in the first half, and a ninety-eight yard touchdown run early in the second half in what’s being called a lopsided rout of Florida. Gators’ head coach Jim McElwain used to be offensive coordinator for the Tide. During the post-game press conference, he said his team was simply outmatched—especially on special teams which handle things like kick-offs and punt returns.
“They (the Gators special team squad) tried their tails off. Sometimes you go against players that are pretty good…right? That’s the way it goes.”
The win continues the Crimson Tide’s first undefeated streak since 2009. That’s when Alabama went onto to win its first BCS College Football championship over the Texas Longhorns at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Still, Tide head coach Nick Saban stuck to his old mantra—celebrate for twenty four hours, then get ready for the next game. Saban says that’s where this team’s legacy to be forged by answering some questions.
“How important that is? What are they willing to do to do it? Because all the teams you play from here on out are really, really good.”
That “next” team is expected to come mid-day on Sunday when the final four teams in this year’s college football championship playoffs will be announced.
