No. 13 Alabama still a force, routs No. 8 Georgia 38-10

Georgia wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell (26) makes a catch as Alabama defensive back Geno Matias-Smith (24) defends in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) Georgia wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell (26) makes a catch as Alabama defensive back Geno Matias-Smith (24) defends in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

By Associated Press October 3, 2015 4 min read

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) – Jake Coker ran the offense to perfection, the defense turned in a dominating performance, and No. 13 Alabama even got a touchdown from its special teams Saturday in a 38-10 rout of No. 8 Georgia that re-established the Crimson Tide as a force in the national race.

Alabama (4-1, 1-1 Southeastern) jumped ahead 24-3 at halftime and iced the victory on Georgia’s first offensive play of the second half. Eddie Jackson intercepted a pass from the Bulldogs’ second quarterback, Brice Ramsey, and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown.

Coker, with an assist from Lane Kiffin’s play-calling, completed 11 of 16 for 190 yards, passed for one touchdown, and ran for another. Derrick Henry rushed for 148 yards and scored on a 30-yard run that put Alabama ahead to stay midway through the second quarter.

Georgia (4-1, 2-1) yanked starting quarterback Greyson Lambert late in the first half, but it didn’t matter. He even went back in after Ramsey threw his second interception.

For those who felt Alabama’s dynasty was showing cracks after a home loss to Mississippi two weeks ago, Nick Saban and his team sent an emphatic message: The Crimson Tide is still a force in college football.