Alabama quarterback Blake Sims (6) looks on ask he runs for a touchdown against Florida Atlantic during his game Sept. 6, 2014, in Tuscaloosa, Ala.Alabama's quarterback situation is anything but decided through two games, but it has been anything but a hindrance, either.
Fifth-year senior Blake Sims threw for 214 yards and Florida State transfer Jacob Coker added 202 as the Crimson Tide routed Florida Atlantic 41-0 Saturday afternoon inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. The 416 passing yards were the second most in program history, trailing only Scott Hunter's 484 yards in a 49-26 loss to Auburn in 1969.
Sims quarterbacked Alabama to its season-opening win over West Virginia in Atlanta, and he led the Crimson Tide to three touchdowns on their first three possessions against the Owls before Coker entered and continued the onslaught.
"It was a great experience, and I had a lot of fun with the guys," Coker said afterward in a news conference. "It was a smooth game, but I had some hiccups along the way."
Saturday's game was halted by officials with 7:53 remaining due to lightning. Alabama coach Nick Saban was hoping the game could resume in order to get more players some experience, but he said the correct call was made because the wait would have been significant.
Sims threw a 52-yard touchdown to receiver Amari Cooper and a 39-yard score to tailback Kenyan Drake, with each of those occurring on quick screens. Sims scored on a 7-yard keeper to cap Alabama's first possession.
"They loaded the box on us, so we were throwing smoke screens out there and letting the receivers do their job," right tackle Austin Shepherd said. "Both quarterbacks did a great job, and I was really proud of both of them."
Coker culminated his first career touchdown drive for the Tide with a 3-yard pass to Jalston Fowler, which extended Alabama's lead to 31-0 midway through the third quarter. Sims was 11-of-13 passing, while Coker was 15-of-24.
"After my first touchdown pass, the first guy I saw on the sideline was Blake," Coker said. "He was smiling, and he gave me a hug. It was special for him to come over and do that. It meant a lot."
Said Sims: "I love Jacob with all my heart, and I would do anything for him."
Saban was told in his news conference that there were divided Alabama fans on social media lobbying for one to be the starter.
"I really don't care what side they take," Saban said. "The only side that matters is the side we take. I think we'll need both guys to play well for us at some point in time during the season, so we'll continue to try and help both guys develop.
"This is not going to be a popularity contest. It's going to be what's best for our team."
The big beneficiary to Alabama's big aerial afternoon was Cooper, who amassed 13 catches for 189 yards and the touchdown. His 13 catches, 11 of which came in the first half, tied DJ Hall's single-game record set in 2007 during a 41-17 win over Tennessee.
Cooper has tallied four consecutive 100-yard games dating back to last November's Iron Bowl, with Hall holding the school mark at five.
"All you've got to do is get the ball to him, and then he'll do it all for you," Sims said.
Saturday was Alabama's first game this season with senior linebacker Trey DePriest calling the defensive signals. DePriest was suspended for the 33-23 win over the Mountaineers but did not give reporters a reason why Saturday, admitting that he has apologized to teammates.
Alabama posted the 10th shutout in its last 40 games.
"I wish I could have played in the first one, but it is what it is," DePriest said. "It's great to come back."
Tide tidbits
Cooper is fourth on Alabama's career receiving list with 2,055 yards, and he needs just 16 yards to pass former tight end Ozzie Newsome and move into third. ... Alabama slipped to No. 3 in the latest AP poll, getting bumped by Oregon, but remained No. 2 in the USA Today coaches poll. ... Saban said the offensive line has done a really good job two weeks in a row. ... Sophomore cornerback Eddie Jackson, who tore his ACL this spring, was in for roughly 35 plays against FAU. ... Senior receiver and return specialist Christion Jones suffered an ankle bruise but is expected to be fine.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.