Alabama Football: FAU By The Numbers

Credit: John David Mercer-US PRESSWIRE

FAU broke Alabama’s shutout streak, but the Crimson Tide still managed to secure the victory 40-7. Still, it would have been nice to see Alabama post three consecutive shutouts, but let me break down the FAU game for you as we take a look at the stats. Trying something new as I will bold the major numbers.

134

The number of points Alabama scored consecutively until FAU broke that streak late in the 4th quarter. During that streak, Alabama’s defense didn’t give up a point in 12 quarters and 192 minutes of play (longest in FBS since ’04). Even though the defense did give up a touchdown against FAU (and there was an air of disappointment in Bryant-Denny after that), this team has not given up more than 14 points this season, so the Crimson Tide have a very suffocating defense this year.

85

The number of yards of AJ McCarron’s touchdown pass to Kenny Bell for the first score of the game. The pass was also the 5th longest touchdown pass in Alabama history. That play alone demonstrated that Alabama’s offensive play is more explosive than last year.

35

The number of yards that FAU accumulated on offense prior to the 75-yard, 8-minute scoring drive in the 4th. Another defensive stat: FAU QB Graham Wilbert had thrown five incomplete passes in the 1st half and the one he did complete went for a one yard loss.

6

Besides the QB’s, there were six ball carriers in this game. Of those, five got at least four carries and had at least 20 yards of offense. Goes to show that even when the loss of RB Jalston Fowler, there is no loss of depth in that Alabama running back stable that Saban has built.

52

That was one of the two field goals made by Cade Foster in the game, the other being a 46-yarder. His 52-yard kick was the longest in his career and it’s a big accomplishment for this Tide special teams that has been scrutinized over the past couple of seasons. Jeremy Shelley also hit two from 30 and 26 yards out.

Irrelevant Stat of the Day: 9.2.5

During FAU’s TD drive, a flag was thrown when the Owls were on the Alabama 10-yard line. There was a meeting between the officials and the head official called Unsportsmanlike Conduct on Alabama’s bench because the coaches were too far on the field; a 15-yard penalty (which was half the distance to the goal, due to the position of the ball, so technically, five). This was the incorrect call according the NCAA Rules. I will cite Rule 9, Section 2, Article 5 of the NCAA rulebook (which is available to download for free at the NCAA website):

"ARTICLE 5. While the ball is in play, coaches, substitutes and authorized attendants in the team area may not be between the sideline and coaching line or on the field of play.PENALTY—Administer as a dead-ball foul. First and second infractions: Delay of game for sideline interference, five yards from the succeeding spot. [S21 and S29] Third and subsequent infractions: Unsportsmanlike conduct for sideline interference, 15 yards from the succeeding spot. Automatic first down for fouls by Team B if not in conflict with other rules. [S27 and S29]"

So the correct call should have been a 5-yard delay of game penalty (new this year, sideline warning rule was done after rules were revised for 2011-2012.) for the first two infractions and then an unsportsmanlike conduct call. The official skipped over the first two penalties. Granted, wouldn’t have made a difference yardage-wise, but was the incorrect call either way.

Compared to Auburn 4-0

Alabama is 4-0 and Auburn is 1-3 to kick off the season. Those are facts. This will be first time in Auburn history that they have three losses before the month of October, so you can call it the worst start in Auburn history. They have a bye week before getting Arkansas the next weekend, and that’s really a toss-up.

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