Morning Kickoff: Crimson Tide News 9/7

Get your day started with the Morning Kickoff. All of your Crimson Tide news in one place.

Plays that changed the game: Tide QBs

"The game was never about the final score, which happened to be a perfectly lopsided 41-0 in favor of No. 2-ranked Alabama. It wasn’t about the opponent, either. Florida Atlantic just happened to be there for the second phase of the Crimson Tide’s quarterback competition between Blake Sims and Jake Coker."

If you haven’t had enough quarterback discussion since the beginning of camp, here is one more article about them. Actually, this is a good piece from the guys at ESPN that looks at different plays from both quarterbacks that changed the game on Saturday. I was impressed with both guys for different reasons. Jake Coker connected on a few down field passes as well as showed that he could run the ball as well. Even getting off to a somewhat shaky start, he remained calm and still put up over 200 yards. Blake Sims was the same Blake we saw against West Virginia but he looked to be a bit more comfortable on the field and in command. We’ve got two good ones taking snaps for the Tide.

Bettors lose big after Alabama Crimson Tide game gets called

"Alabama gets their win on a day the offense and defense looked much better than it did in the opener against West Virginia, so what’s the big deal?The big deal is for those who bet on the game with a 42-point spread. Because the game did not complete or even get through the 55-minute marker, it means there is no action on this game and there are no winners or losers."

Ouch. I’m glad that I never bet on my own team. I don’t think I could stand it. This could be more frustrating than a back door cover, especially if you were in line to cash in some money. Better luck next week. If you do find yourself as a winner next week, I can send you all of the information for my PayPal. Not really though. Unless you want to send money.

Men’s Golf In Five-Way Tie For First at Carpet Capital Collegiate

"The top-ranked Alabama men’s golf team is in a five-way tie for first place after two rounds of the season-opening Carpet Capital Collegiate on the par-72, 7,012-yard The Farm Golf Club.The Crimson Tide carded a 5-under par 275 during Saturday’s second round and is currently at seven-under par 569 after 36 holes. Alabama is tied with Auburn (294-275), LSU (282-287), Kennesaw State (281-288) and Georgia Tech (293-276) for the tournament’s top slot. Clemson (287-284) is two strokes behind the leaders at five-under par 571."

Alabama Falls in Pair of Saturday Matches in Virginia

"Alabama’s undefeated streak came to an end Saturday in Virginia, as the Crimson Tide fell in a pair of matches to close out its weekend at the Cavalier Classic.Alabama (5-2) fell in five sets in Saturday’s opener to LIU Brooklyn (3-3) and could not bounce back later over the host Virginia Cavaliers (6-0), who ended the Tide’s comeback attempt in the fourth set. Redshirt sophomore Krystal Rivers was named to the All-Tournament team, finishing the weekend with 61 kills including a career-high 29 in the match against LIU Brooklyn. Sierra Wilson finished with 141 assists over 13 sets, an average of 10.8 per set, while Natalie Murison got the nod at the libero position all weekend, leading the defense with 35 digs."

Talley Concludes Play at the World Amateur Team Championships

"University of Alabama junior golfer Emma Talley finished up play at the 2014 Women’s World Amateur Team Championships Saturday with a final round score of 2-over par 74.Talley, a native of Princeton, Ky., carded a 3-over 291 over the four day tournament. Individually, Talley finished t49th in a field that included over 140 golfers."

Those last three links will get you caught up on what is happening in Alabama athletics away from the football field.