Crimson Chapters: Chapter 4

COLLEGE FOOTBALL 2014

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A10

THE TUSCALOOSA NEWS

An oral history of the University of Alabama’s football season, as told by the people who lived it

The Perfect Play Alabama running back Kenyan Drake (17) carries the ball for 87 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter against Florida. It was Drake’s only catch of the game, he also had four carries for 21 yards.

staff photo | Robert Sutton

outburst. It was a play drawn up by Kiffin, Kenyan Drake, UA's first-year offensive coordinator, and it junior running back: showed just how creative and compelling his When I first went out there, it was a cornerback (in coverage). But then the lineIf Blake Sims stepped into a starring role as impact on Alabama's attack could be.

This is a look at how that play unfolded. backer, they switched spots. At that mothe University of Alabama's quarterback ment I already know what was coming. against Florida in the fourth game of the 2014 Blake Sims, season, Lane Kiffin was the director. senior quarterback: Will Muschamp, Sims passed for 445 yards and four touchThe Florida game was just a game that Florida head coach: downs in a 42-21 victory at Bryant-Denny The first play of the game we had a man Stadium, and his breakout performance — the I was on and Coach Kiffin was calling the situation outside, but it was good execusecond-best passing game in Crimson Tide his- right plays. tion on their part. tory — was epitomized on Alabama's first ofLane Kiffin, fensive snap. offensive coordinator: The big play was a result of meticulous film Sims hit running back Kenyan Drake, who Sometimes those things work perfect study. Kiffin must have had a crystal ball. He had lined up at wide receiver, for an 87-yard Continued touchdown to set the stage for the offensive like that.

By Tommy Deas

Executive Sports Editor

staff photo | Robert Sutton

Alabama running back Kenyan Drake (17), Alabama wide receiver DeAndrew White (2) and Alabama quarterback Blake Sims (6) celebrate Drake’s first-quarter touchdown against Florida.

called the result before game day had even ar- ing to be a touchdown." rived.

Drake: At first we were just going to put that in Drake: the game plan, eventually or whatever, We scouted that every time (the offense) and then Coach Kiffin told me near the put a running back out wide in five-wide, end of the week that it was going to be the they put a linebacker out there on him. first play in the game when we go down the script.

Sims: I was like, OK, that's cool.

During our Friday walk-through, Coach Kiffin said, "Hey, this is what's goWith Alabama starting at its own 13-yard ing to happen, I promise you this is going line after a Florida punt, Drake split out near to happen, and when you see it you give the right sideline like a wideout. Florida lineKenyan the signal and I promise it's go- backer Antonio Morrison lined up across from

him in coverage, giving a 10-yard cushion.

Sims was in the shotgun, with no other back in the backfield. The key to the play was recognition by Sims and Drake, and a signal called "sluggo."

Kiffin: We were in an empty set, Kenyan was outside. If they didn't leave a corner outside and the corner came inside, you knew that it was man-to-man.

Didn't think they would play man-toman on the first play of the game with continued

Kenyan in the game because Kenyan's kind of a Reggie Bush factor. When you have a guy like that you see a lot of zone coverages.

Drake: So the play is for a slant (route), but when the linebacker comes out there I do a slant-and-go.

Sims: Before I snapped I looked out there and saw Kenyan had a linebacker on him, gave him the signal and the rest was how it was.

Kiffin: Whistled to Blake and gave him a "sluggo" signal and I was just hoping he didn't overthrow the ball.

"Sluggo" is slant-and-go.

The primary option on the play as designed was a quick screen pass to All-American receiver Amari Cooper, who was lined up wide to the other side, but if Florida was tricked into treating the speedy Drake as a normal running back and covering him with a linebacker, the signal would change the call. Drake would start his route to the inside, then break out and sprint down the field, which is exactly what happened.

Kiffin: It was supposed to be a slant, so it's a screen to the left to Amari and if it's man-to-man you've got double slants to the right side. If there was a linebacker out there and he was off, you run a slant-and-go. The guy would play inside and bite the slant, and (you) go.

Drake: He gives me a little signal that signifies that he wants to go to a slant-and-go. Honestly, if he didn't even give me the signal I was going to run it anyway. I already know what the deal is.

staff photos | Robert Sutton

Above: Alabama running back Derrick Henry (27) had 20 carries for

111 yards and a touchdown.

Bottom: Alabama defensive lineman Jarran Reed (90) blocks a pass from Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel.

Kiffin: At the end of the day, the guy's got to make the play.

You can draw up all you want, you can make the perfect call but they've got to make the plays.

Sims took the snap and released the ball on a high arc from around the 4-yard line. By the time Drake caught the ball, he was at midfield and had an 8-yard lead on Morrison, the linebacker. Safety Jabari Gorman angled over to try to catch Drake but was lost in his dust.

Drake: Once I got past him I already knew the ball was coming, so I was already looking for it. And my main thing was just keep on running because most people will go and kind of slow down and try to catch the ball, but you've got to run through the ball. That's the main thing for a receiver to do when the ball is thrown like that.

That was the only thing going through my head, and Blake put it right where it was supposed to be.

Sims: When you do something like that, your confidence goes up so high that you start letting the ball go without thinking.

Drake: Blake gave me a perfect throw. He had the hard part. continued

I just had to catch the ball.

Through the first three weeks of the season, Sims had heard the whispers of doubters who believed that he did not have the arm to throw the long ball. No one would ever question his ability to pass downfield after the Florida game. He also hit Cooper for a 79-yard score on a day when the receiver would catch 10 balls for 201 yards and three touchdowns.

Alabama's 672 yards in total offense was the most ever gained on a Florida team.

Nick Saban, head coach: People have to respect him as a passer. He has made too many plays and too many good throws for them not to respect him as a passer.

Sims: It was the best feeling. I think it gave Coach Kiffin more confidence in me to throw the deep ball more.

Saban: We got the looks and we made big plays, including the first play of the game and Cooper's long pass in the first half.

Kiffin: That's just an example of what happened all year long, Blake making the play and the receiver making the play as well.

staff photo | Michelle Lepianka Carter

DeAndrew White, senior wide receiver: I knew what we were capable of. That was really our first big game, so I just believed it would come together for us.

Above: Alabama

defensive lineman Jarran Reed (90) tackles Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel (6) during the fourth quarter.

Left: Alabama tight end O.J. Howard had two catches for 22 yards against Florida.

staff photo | Robert Sutton