College Playoffs Game 1: Troy (Sun Belt) at Alabama (SEC)

The Tide Rolls on Against In-State Foe, Advances to the Sugar Bowl.
December 19, 2009.

Two weeks after dominating the Gators in the SEC championship game, the Crimson Tide continued to dominate shutting out Troy.  Mark Ingram ran 40 times for 173 yards and scored all three of the games touchdowns.

Alabama started slow, fumbling on their first drive.  The tide defense recorded two interceptions in the first half, but the offense could only put 9 points up against a Trojan defense determined to keep Troy in the game.


However the Troy offense could not stimulate any offense.  Late in the second quarter McElroy connected with Smelley for a 40 yard pass down to the 15.  Three plays later Ingram punched in a touchdown that gave Alabama a 16-0 halftime lead.

In the second half, a steady diet of Ingram wore down the Trojan defense.  The Alabama defense continued to stymie the Trojan offense who were forced to punt 12 times in the game.

In the playoff system, the top 4 seeds that advance to the second round get to select which of the four major bowls they will play at.  Coach Nick Saban chose to play at the Sugar Bowl, the traditional bowl for SEC champs and only 4.5 hours away from the Tuscaloosa campus.  That game will be played in two weeks on New Years Day.