McElroy’s passing, 2 TD runs by Richardson lift No. 4 Alabama past FIU, 40-14

Richardson’s 2 TDs push No. 4 Bama past FIU, 40-14

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Greg McElroy completed a school-record 14 straight passes, freshman Trent Richardson rushed for a pair of second-half touchdowns and No. 4 Alabama pulled away for a 40-14 victory over Florida International Saturday night.

The Crimson Tide (2-0) couldn’t shake the 33-point underdog Golden Panthers (0-1) until Richardson scored from 9 and 35 yards in the final 19 minutes. Terry Grant added a 42-yard TD run.

It wasn’t quite the breezy game Alabama fans likely were anticipating until that onslaught, especially after No. 1 Florida decimated FIU’s Sun Belt Conference rival Troy 56-6 earlier in the day. But they had to hang around until the fourth quarter before resting easy.

The Tide led just 20-14 before getting the big plays from Richardson, who gained 118 yards on 15 carries in the first significant action for one of the team’s top recruits.

McElroy completed 18 of 24 passes for 241 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown to Mike McCoy. The previous school mark of 12 consecutive completions was shared by John Parker Wilson and Andrew Zow. The string ended when the first-year starter tried a bomb to Marquis Maze in the end zone in the third quarter.

Alabama had five sacks and numerous hits on FIU quarterback Paul McCall but also gave up T.Y. Hilton’s 96-yard kick return for a touchdown and some big third-down plays.

McCall finished 16 of 32 for 189 yards and a touchdown.

Javier Arenas set up both of Richardon’s scores with punt returns of 20 and 46 yards giving it to the offense at midfield or better each time.

Alabama’s offense wasn’t fully loaded, but still managed to generate 516 yards. Florida International was limited to just 1 yard on 26 rushes and had 214 total yards.

Tide tailback Mark Ingram gained 56 yards on 10 carries and had four catches for 47 yards after battling the flu during the week.

Star receiver Julio Jones sat out most of the game with ice on his right leg. He finished with just one catch for 9 yards before heading to the bench. In his absence, McCoy caught five passes for a career-high 100 yards — all in the first half.

FIU stayed within a touchdown and PAT of the lead after Leigh Tiffin missed a 39-yard field goal midway through the third.

FIU left Tide fans in stunned silence when McCall’s 9-yard touchdown pass to Greg Ellingson on third-and-goal gave the Panthers a 14-13 lead early in the second quarter.

Alabama breathed some life into the crowd with a five-play TD drive capped by Ingram’s 2-yard run to move ahead 20-14 at halftime.