Alabama’s Crimson Tide stays on top against Florida State

BY OLIVIA LEWIS

Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz stadium filled up with the colors of garnet, gold, red and white on Saturday, September 2, for one of the biggest games of the college season. No.1 team Alabama University played their first game of the season against No. 3 team Florida State University. The Florida State Seminoles had a 41% chance of winning, while Alabama’s Crimson Tide had a 59% chance. The game stayed close in the beginning, with both teams battling for the win and bragging rights, but Alabama pulled through and won the game 24-7.

The game began with the traditional FSU war chant, and Renegade riding into the stadium. Both teams received a pep-talk from their head coaches before the game began. Alabama sprinted out from their locker rooms full of energy, followed by Florida State.

“Being in Tallahassee on game day is absolutely amazing,” CCHS alumni Samantha Stofsky said. “There is no better feeling than being surrounded by hundreds of other students cheering on the same school.”

The players made their way to the sidelines and hyped each other up while they waited until kick off. Florida State took the field, and prepared to defend their kick off. Alabama received the ball and ran right past several Seminole players.

Florida State’s defensive line was causing chaos for Alabama’s offense. Alabama was able to get a few first downs, but the Seminoles prevented them from scoring a touchdown. They went for a field goal attempt, but missed, giving Florida State possession of the ball. Neither team was able to score any points in the first quarter.

Alabama started with the ball in the second quarter and was able to gain a lot of yardage. Florida blocked another touchdown, but Alabama made the field goal attempt, making the game 3-0. The Seminoles had possession of the ball and began to worry the Alabama fans. Seminole wide receiver Auden Tate was able to score a touchdown in the last 13 minutes of the second quarter, making the score 3-6. Florida State made the field goal attempt, making the score 3-7. Soon after, Alabama’s quarterback, Jalen Hurts, threw a bullet and it resulted in a touchdown for Crimson Tide. Alabama’s defense began dominating in the last ten minutes of the second quarter, causing the Seminoles to go for a field goal attempt. Alabama was able to block the ball, running it back down the field for the end of the half.

“I knew that before the game, they were saying that this was going to be a ‘game for the ages’, but I knew that the tide would end up stomping the tribe,” junior Cooper Saunders said.

Former Florida State players and current NFL players Dalvin Cook and Jameis Winston could be seen on the sideline cheering the players on. The second half started with a score of 10-7, keeping the fans on their feet. Alabama’s defense was all over the Seminoles, blocking one of their early punts and gaining possession of the ball. Florida State was able to stop them from gaining a touchdown, but Alabama made the field goal attempt. There were two minutes left in the third quarter, when Florida State’s special team made a bad play and Alabama got the fumble. Alabama was able to score another touchdown and make a two point conversion with a minute left in the third quarter. The score was 21-7 at the end of the third quarter.

Alabama dominated the entire fourth quarter of the game, intercepting the ball early in the fourth quarter, giving them possession again. Florida State was under a lot of pressure, and as a result, they had three turnovers. Alabama made another field goal attempt, making the final score of the game 24-7. With five minutes left in the game, Florida State quarterback, Deondre Francois, suffered a knee injury and was taken out of the game. The next day it was announced that he would be out for the rest of the season.

The Alabama fans were cheering at the top of their lungs when the game finally came to an end. Although the Seminoles lost, they still looked forward to the games in the future. As for the Alabama fans, they sang “Rammer Jammer” for the rest of the night.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports