Alabama touchdown drive leads to impressive early stat

It took Alabama 5:09 to score in the Cotton Bowl. To do it, the Crimson Tide did something they haven’t done in 13 years.

Alabama ran 11 plays — 10 rushes and an eight-yard touchdown pass from Bryce Young to Slade Bolden to take a 7-0 lead over Cincinnati. The Crimson Tide’s 10 rushing attempts are the most they’ve had on their opening drive since 2008, according to ESPN Stats and Info. To put that in perspective, that was Nick Saban’s first season as Alabama’s head coach.

One more to put that drive into perspective for you: Alabama's 10 rushes on that opening drive were their most rush attempts on their first possession of a game since 2008 vs Arkansas State (also 10). per @ESPNStatsInfo … repeat, 2008!!

— Heather Dinich (@CFBHeather) December 31, 2021

Brian Robinson, Jr. got plenty of work on that opening drive. He took six carries for 37 yards to lead the charge. Wide receiver Jameson Williams also got in on the action with an 18-yard rush.

Alabama went 75 yards in 5:09 to score on the opening drive, but Cincinnati made things interesting on its first drive, as well. The Bearcats settled for a field goal, though, to make it a 7-3 game.

Cincinnati entered the game allowing 137.46 rush yards per game, while Alabama averages 147.62 yards per contest on the ground. It appears the Crimson Tide are trying to wear Cincinnati down early on in the Cotton Bowl.

The first College Football Playoff semifinal game is quite literally off and running.

Bryce Young compares Cincinnati’s defense to Alabama

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young knows that the Crimson Tide will have a big challenge in the College Football Playoff semifinal against Cincinnati. The Bearcats have a very strong defense, one of the top in the nation.

Young pointed out Cincinnati’s secondary, which is led by first team AP All-American Ahmad Gardner and second team AP All-American Coby Bryant. Cincinnati has a +14 turnover ratio, and it all starts with the stingy play against opposing quarterbacks. Young understands the challenge that awaits Alabama in facing Cincinnati’s defense.

“They have two very strong corners on the outside,” Young said of Cincinnati’s defense. “It’s something that right when we got done with the last game, we start preparing something that immediately pops when you turn the film on. Those are guys that have been really consistent all year, which is hard at a position like that. You watch every game and you see how consistent they’ve been.

“Those are guys that are ball hawks, always have an eye for the football. Always around the ball. So that’s something that really pops on film. Something that we definitely see whenever we turn on the film. We understand the challenge that comes with that. For us, it’s about stepping up and accepting that challenge and pushing ourselves each and every day to put ourselves in the best situation possible.”