Sims steals the Show in Alabama Win

He did not finish with the most yards rushing, most yards passing, or even lead the team in touchdowns Saturday afternoon. However, few drew more oohs and aahs than backup quarterback Blake Sims.

The first team offense was efficient, marching up and down the field at will, scoring 5 touchdowns in their first 5 drives under the command of junior AJ McCarron. With the game in hand, Sims entered the contest after weeks of scout team duty and limited game repetitions.

Picking up where McCarron left off, Sims took the reigns of the number one unit midway through the second quarter, ending the drive the same way McCarron had the first five. Intertwining handoffs with junior running back Eddie Lacy, Sims led the offense 71 yards down the field in under 4 minutes to give Alabama a 35-0 lead.

“We wanted to put him in at least one series with the first-team offense, and I thought he did a good job.” Alabama head coach Nick Saban said after the game.

A gifted athlete, Sims provided a different type of threat for Alabama scrambling 8 times for 70 yards and a score, 2^nd behind Lacy’s 10 carry, 99 yard 3 touchdown performance. However, looking ahead Sims will have to get more comfortable passing after finishing 2-of-6 for 27 yards.

“Blake has ability to throw the ball, but he gets real antsy sometimes, especially in the pocket” Saban added. “I think the experience today probably would help him, but all in all I thought he did a pretty good job”

The coach’s sentiment was echoed later echoed by McCarron who acknowledged that Sims is a different kind of quarterback, but one that can still be effective.

“He’s a different type of quarterback but he played to his strengths and took care of the football” the junior quarterback said.

“That’s all you can ask.”