GAME RECAP FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bryce Young’s first collegiate road start was a rousing success, a three-touchdown performance that helped top-ranked Alabama hold off No. 11 Florida 31-29 in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams Saturday.
The defending national champion Crimson Tide stopped a 2-point conversion with 3:10 left and extended its winning streak to 17, making it 32 in a row against teams from the SEC’s Eastern Division.
The Gators (2-1, 0-1 SEC) have now dropped eight straight in the series and fell to 0-5 against No. 1-ranked teams at Florida Field.
This one was closer than oddsmakers and just about everyone else expected, with 14 ½-point underdog Florida having a chance to tie the game in the closing minutes despite playing without dynamic backup quarterback Anthony Richardson.
Coach Dan Mullen held Richardson out as a precaution because of a strained right hamstring and said he would only be available in case of an emergency.
That never became the case even though the Gators trailed 21-3 at the end of the first quarter. Young built the lead with TD passes to Jase McClellan, Jaheel Billingsley and Brian Johnson.
The Gators rallied and were in position to tie late. Dameon Pierce capped a 75-yard drive with a 17-yard run that made it 31-29. But fellow running back Malik Davis failed to get the 3 yards needed on the 2-point conversion.
Florida seemingly got a break when Alabama (3-0, 1-0) was flagged for a false start on fourth-and-goal at the 1. Alabama settled for a field goal and an eight-point lead. That gave the Gators a chance to tie, and play-caller Mullen and quarterback Emory Jones directed a masterful drive.
It ended up not being enough.
The Gators had one final chance to force a punt and get the ball back, but Alabama did enough to milk the clock and leave Florida with little, if any, chance at a comeback. The Gators had one play from deep in their territory and were sacked.
Young completed 22 of 35 passes for 233 yards. Brian Robinson carried 14 times for 75 yards and a score.
Jones was 17-of-27 passing for 181 yards, with an interception. He was booed at times, partly because of the slow start and surely because of the home crowd’s disappointment in not seeing Richardson.
THE TAKEAWAY
Alabama: Coach Nick Saban’s team looked susceptible after the first quarter, especially on defense. The Tide was gashed between the tackles and picked apart over the middle. There was no consistent pass rush, which has to give everyone in the SEC at least a little hope the rest of the way.
Florida: Mullen has completely changed his team offensively, switching from a passing attack that featured Kyle Trask and Kyle Pitts to a ground game that rotates three running backs and two mobile quarterbacks. The Gators entered the game leading the nation in rushing and finished with 241 yards on the ground.
UP NEXT
Alabama hosts Southern Miss next Saturday. The Tide have won 15 of the last 16 in the series.
Florida hosts Tennessee next Saturday night. The Gators have won 15 of the last 16 in the series, which used to be more meaningful in the East.
PREGAME
The No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide (2-0) are underway in their road matchup against the No. 11 Florida Gators down at The Swamp. This game will be the Tide’s stiffest test so far on the year, and this should make for one of the biggest college football games of Week 3 and the season so far. This blockbuster matchup kicked off on Saturday, September 18 at 12:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. ET from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium with a live TV broadcast on CBS.
• You can watch the Alabama vs. Florida football game live for FREE with Paramount+ (free trial) or with fuboTV (free trial), or see our other live streaming and TV options for this game provided below.
LATEST LIVE UPDATES, SCORE & VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
Follow along with the latest live updates, including the latest score and stats from the game as well as video highlights and more provided above. Oddsmakers have Alabama as clear favorites in this one.
Latest line/betting odds:
Moneyline: AL -650 | UF +440
Spread: AL -14.5 | UF +14.5
O/U: 59.5
HOW TO WATCH
What: The Florida Gators (2-0) face off against the Alabama Crimson Tide (2-0) in Week 3 of the 2021 college football season.
When: Saturday, September 18 at 12:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. ET
Where: “The Swamp” at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium | Gainesville, Florida
TV Channel: CBS
If you have a HDTV antennae, you can watch this match locally on channel 6.1 or 25.3. If you need to get one, this Gesobyte brand HDTV antennae is currently the top selling HDTV antennae product on Amazon. It goes for under $30 and ships quickly with Prime. If you already have a Prime account, you should be able to get it and be watching college football, Timbers matches, network TV and local news as soon as it arrives.
How to watch the game live online for free: You can watch this game live for FREE with Paramount+ (free trial) or watch the game live for FREE with fuboTV (free trial) if this is the game being broadcast by your local CBS affiliate. Or, get this game on Sling TV (promotional offers), if you prefer those platforms and their pricing plans. If you already have a cable provider, use your login information to watch this game on CBS Live.
More ways to watch: Verizon Fios, AT&T U-verse, Comcast / Xfinity, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, Cox, DIRECTV, Dish.
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