Alabama too much for Duke in opener

Tide blows out Blue Devils 42-3

Alabama was just too much for Duke, scoring 28 unanswered points in the second half to cruise to a 42-3 win in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game in Atlanta.

Duke came out looking to control clock, as quarterback Quentin Harris ran a triple option offense at the outset. Harris threw just three passes in the first quarter and eight in the first half as Duke tried to establish the run to support a strong defensive effort.

The Blue Devils’ defense has a three-and-out on Alabama’s first possession, then forced a fumble at the Alabama 23. Harris and the offense couldn’t capitalize, though, going three and out on the first drive, then getting stuffed on a fourth-and-one run at the seven yard line.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Crimson Tide broke through with a Tua Tagovailoa touchdown pass to Miller Forristall in the second. Bama added a Brian Robinson run later in the quarter to take a 14-3 lead into halftime.

Duke had some uncharacteristic mistakes in the second half, hampering the Blue Devils’ ability to get anything going. The offense had a delay penalty on the first play after halftime. Duke also picked up a pair of penalties for having too many men on the field, and Edgar Cerenord was ejected for a post-play personal foul.

Harris finished 12-of-22 for 97 yards and two interceptions. Brittain Brown and Deon Jackson both rushed seven times, for 36 and 35 yards respectively. Noah Gray was the leading receiver with five catches for 45 yards.

True freshman Jalon Calhoun had one catch for two yards. True freshman Jacob Monk picked up two penalties—a false start and a chop block.

For the Crimson Tide, Tagovailoa had 336 yards passing with four touchdowns. Receiver Jerry Jeudy caught 10 balls for 137 yards.