Alabama quarterback Blake Sims, left, scrambles for yardage around Florida defensive lineman Joey Ivie during the first half of Alabama’s 42-21 win Saturday in Tuscaloosa. Sims passed for 445 yards in the game.TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Ball security was not at a premium Saturday for third-ranked Alabama inside Bryant-Denny Stadium.
It didn’t matter.
The Crimson Tide overcame their early sloppiness with what has become the nation’s top passing connection — Blake Sims to Amari Cooper. Each had a career-best performance, with Sims throwing for 445 yards and Cooper amassing 201 as Alabama broke free for a 42-21 Southeastern Conference victory over Florida.
Sims completed 23 of 33 passes and threw four for touchdowns, including an 87-yarder to Kenyan Drake on the Crimson Tide’s first play from scrimmage and a 79-yarder to Cooper later in the first quarter.
“When Blake takes what the defense gives, he’s instinctive and makes good plays and decisions,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “People are going to have to respect him as a passer. He has made too many plays and too many good throws for people to not respect him as a passer.