Tuscaloosa, AL (SportsNetwork.com) – There were no narrow victories or
complaining fans for Nick Saban and his football team on this day.
Blake Sims threw for three touchdowns and ran for another as seventh-ranked
Alabama restored its recently questioned reputation with an authoritative 59-0
win over No. 21 Texas A&M at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
One week after mustering a pedestrian 227 total yards in a 14-13 squeaker over
Arkansas that triggered heavy criticism towards Saban and his program, the
Crimson Tide amassed 602 and scored on every first-half possession in building
a 45-0 lead at the break.
The defense was just as overwhelming, limiting the Aggies to 172 total yards
— a far cry from the 628 Texas A&M generated in a 49-42 loss to the Tide last
season — and recording six sacks of quarterbacks Kenny Hill and Kyle Allen.
Amari Cooper was on the other end of two of Sims’ scoring strikes and totaled
140 yards on eight receptions, while T.J. Yeldon ran for two touchdowns on 13
carries that produced 114 yards.
Sims finished with 268 yards on 16-of-27 passing for Alabama (6-1, 3-1 SEC)
before being pulled along with most of the Crimson Tide starters in the third
quarter. Derrick Henry had both a rushing and receiving touchdown and ran for
70 yards on 10 attempts.
The lopsided defeat was the third straight to a West Division opponent for
reeling Texas A&M (5-3, 2-3), following double-digit setbacks to current No. 1
Mississippi State and Ole Miss. It also was the Aggies’ first shutout loss
since a 77-0 shellacking at the hands of Oklahoma in 2003.
Hill completed 17-of-26 passes for 138 yards with an interception.
