Tide Tops FIU

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) - 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. The Tide led just 20-14 before getting the big plays from
Richardson, who gained 118 yards on 15 carries in his first
significant action.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)