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Saban “Embarrassed” During Alabama’s 31-3 Win vs Chattanooga

By David Wasson

Nov 19, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Damien Harris (34) carries the ball against Chattanooga Mocs at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Damien Harris (34) carries the ball against Chattanooga Mocs at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jalen Hurts passed for three touchdowns and rushed for 68 yards to help No. 1 Alabama overcome a slow start and beat FCS team Chattanooga 31-3.

Jalen Hurts passed for three touchdowns and rushed for 68 yards to help No. 1 Alabama overcome a slow start and beat FCS team Chattanooga 31-3 on Saturday night.

With the offense struggling to get going, the Crimson Tide (11-0) spotted the Mocs (8-3) the game’s first three points and didn’t really shake them until late in the third quarter. The defense had a more Bama-like performance, and hasn’t given up a touchdown in 13 quarters.

“We played a little better in the second half and got a little more consistency on both sides of the ball and our defense played really hard,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “You have to give these guys we played a lot of credit. They played hard. This is a big game for them. They wanted to come in and beat us, and I was wondering for a little while about that. This is a tough game for us when we play SEC games every week.”

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    • At halftime to the ESPN cameras, Saban was a little more direct about his opinion of the first 30 minutes.

    “I’m embarrassed the way played this half,” Saban said to ESPN’s Olivia Harlan.

    Hurts was 15 of 21 for 136 yards a week after torching Mississippi State for 347 yards. He had a 47-yard TD pass to Calvin Ridley and added two 1-yarders to Gehrig Dieter, including one in the final minutes that made the score look a little closer to what most expected.

    Damien Harris rushed for 91 yards and a touchdown and Ridley gained 94 yards on seven catches.

    Alabama wide receiver ArDarius Stewart did not play in the game, but it wasn’t clear if he’s injured.

    It was a milestone win for Alabama coach Nick Saban, whose 41-5 record as the No. 1 team gives him the most of any coach. He had been tied with Ohio State’s Woody Hayes (40-4-1) and Florida State’s Bobby Bowden (40-5).

    Chattanooga’s first-quarter field goal put Alabama behind for the first time since Kentucky scored the first three points on Oct. 1. The Mocs trailed just 14-3 until deep into the third quarter before Harris raced 25 yards for a touchdown.

    Alejandro Bennifield completed 16 of 21 passes for 106 yards for the Mocs, who sacked Hurts three times.

    Alabama wasn’t exactly pushing the Mocs around early. Chattanooga stopped two runs from the 1-yard line in the second quarter before Hurts rolled right on fourth down and hit Dieter in the end zone for a 14-3 lead.

    That was set up by a muffed punt at the 9.

    It was probably the least impressive performance for Alabama of the season, considering what `Bama is expected to do to FCS teams. Left tackle Cam Robinson and backup Korren Kirven, who started at right guard, both left late with injuries.

    Next: Grading Alabama's NFL Draft Prospects

    Alabama returns to action Saturday, November 26, against Auburn at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT and the Tide’s final regular season game will be televised nationally by CBS.

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