Alabama 40, Florida Atlantic 7
TUSCALOOSA. Ala. -- The only question Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium was whether the University of Alabama's shutout streak would survive against Florida Atlantic.
Nope, but it was close.
With the Owls finally reaching the end zone with 2:49 remaining, the Crimson Tide just missed becoming the first team since Kansas State in 1995 to post three consecutive shutouts.
Otherwise, No. 1 Alabama totally dominated, giving up just one first down through the first three quarters and had more than 500 yards of total offense in the 40-7 victory.
Junior quarterback AJ McCarron had three touchdown passes and junior running back Eddie Lacy ran for 106 yards on 15 carries, all in the first half, to lead the Alabama offense.
The Crimson Tide needed just four plays to reach the end zone with junior Kenny Bell's 85-yard catch, the sixth longest touchdown reception in program history. Sophomores DeAndrew White and Christion Jones had the other two touchdown catches, both 4 yards.
In contrast, most of FAU's offense (75 of 110 yards) came on its touchdown drive against Alabama's reserves, when Graham Wilbert connected with Alex Deleon for a 6-yard touchdown.
About the only other disappointment for the sellout crowd of 101,821 was that the Crimson Tide (4-0) had to settle four field goals and punted once.
Florida Atlantic's other good chance to score came late in the first quarter when Jones fumbled a punt return -- just Alabama's second turnover of the season -- to give the Owls (1-3) a first down at the Crimson Tide 25-yard line.
However, after being pushed back on a sack by sophomore defensive end Jeoffrey Pagan, Vinny Zacario's 48-yard field goal attempt was blocked by senior nose guard Jesse Williams.
Coming off shutout wins over Western Kentucky and Arkansas, Alabama hadn't given up a point since the 14-second mark of the third quarter against Michigan on Sept. 1. During that span of 12 quarters, it has scored 134 consecutive points.
Alabama's defense didn't give up any points in the last two games of the 2011 season, either.
Notes: Alabama junior cornerback Dee Milliner played with a brace on his right wrist. It's the same hand/wrist he injured against Michigan and caused him to miss the Western Kentucky game. ... McCarron's streak of attempted passes without an interception reached 176, which trails only Brodie Croyle for the longest in Alabama history (190). ... The Alabama softball team received a standing ovation at halftime when players and coaches received their national championship rings.
