Just as everyone expected there were a ton of fireworks in the first half of the SEC Championship game.
Big plays were a staple of the first half as both Alabama and Florida took turns putting up big throws to each’s talented receiving corps. But the Crimson Tide were the ones to get out in front of the Gators with a balanced attack.
Mac Jones and DeVonta Smith each proved why the two are thought of as some of the Heisman Trophy favorites as the duo connected seven times for 92 yards and a touchdown.
Despite being sacked a few times by the blitz heavy Florida front, Jones has stood in the pocket and delivered multiple timely throws to pick up first downs on multiple different third-down situations.
Jones finished the half going 20/28, 267 yards with four touchdowns.
Running back Najee Harris, who became the school’s all-time leader in rushing touchdowns in the first half, also turned in quite the noteworthy performance out of the gates. Harris rushed the ball 16 times for 88 yards and one touchdown which included three receiving touchdowns with one including a nasty spin move for the score.
The Crimson Tide defense, which appeared to be in a bit of a tough spot after a 51-yard touchdown pass from Kyle Trask to Kadarius Toney, buckled down and kept the Gators offense out of the endzone enough times for the Tide to build a lead.
The first half wasn’t completely mistake-free for Alabama as the defense missed a few open-field tackles and added some untimely coverage busts. Jones also tossed an interception to Florida defensive back Trey Dean which looked like a big momentum shifter.
But much like Alabama has done all year, it made the big plays when it needed and on that interception receiver, John Metchie laid a huge hit on Dean forcing a fumble which the Crimson Tide recovered and later led to a Smith touchdown.
After the first Alabama leads Florida 35-17.
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
