Sept. 18, 2004

Final Stats

Tuscaloosa, Ala. - Alabama took advantage of four big plays, scoring twice inside the first three minutes of the game and twice with under a minute to play before halftime, to hand Western Carolina a 52-0 setback Saturday night at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

The Crimson Tide (3-0) returned the opening kickoff 87 yards, setting up a Brodie Croyle to Clint Johnson, nine-yard touchdown just 1:41 into the game. On Western Carolina's (2-1) next possession, Alabama's Marcel Stumps blocked a Tim Mayse punt and returned it 14 yards for to give the Tide an early 14-0 lead.

After that, the Catamounts settled down and began to move the ball, driving 79 yards in nine plays. However, with Western on the Alabama six, Bennett Swygert was saddled with a fumble. During the drive, Swygert had a 17-yard completion to Eddie Cohen, a 15-yard completion to John Bush and an 18-yard completion to Cohen.

The WCU defense held Alabama to just 32 yards over its next two drives, forcing punts on each occasion. Then, as Alabama was primed to score with first and goal on the WCU five, Catamount sophomore Bruce Lee registered his first career sack and forced a fumble, which junior Rico Reese recovered.

After a WCU punt, the Crimson Tide put together a 12-play, 61-yard drive with 2:42 left in the second quarter. Kenneth Darby capped the drive with a four-yard run off left guard to give Alabama a 21-0 cushion.

Alabama began to put the game out of reach. Two plays after going up three TDs, Simeon Castille intercepted a Swygert pass. Four plays and five yards later, Brian Bostick converted a 37-yard field goal to make the score 24-0. On the ensuing kickoff, Xavier Godard looked to break a long return. However, Jefrey Dukes forced a fumble, which Eric Gray recovered. On the next play, Croyle found Matt Caddell for a 41-yard TD, giving the Tide a 31-0 advantage at the break.

As the second half began, Western was forced to punt on its first two possessions. On Alabama's second possession of the half, Marc Guillon came in at quarterback in relief of injured starter Croyle. He completed a 15-yard pass on his second play and Darby followed with a 26-yard touchdown, putting the Tide up 38-0.

Le'Ron McClain scored twice for the Tide in the fourth quarter. First, he caught a three-yard pass from Guillon with 9:20 left, then had a 14-yard run with 5:02 left to provide the final 52-0 margin.

Western, who was leading the NCAA I-AA in turnover margin, committed five turnovers in the loss, while gaining just one.

Nicholas Wishart led the Cats with 15 rushing attempts for 53 yards. Swygert was 6-of-19 for 85 yards with two interceptions. Swygert's top target was Cohen, who caught four passes for 45 yards, while Michael Reeder had three receptions for 48 yards. Defensively, Lamar Barnes had eight tackles with Ryan Nesby adding eight and Lee getting seven.

Alabama was led by Aaron Johns, who had 11 carries for 86 yards. Darby had two rushig TDs, adding 63 yards on nine carries. Croyle completed 14-of-22 passes for 160 yards and two TDs before leaving with an injury.

Western Carolina will return to action next Saturday (Sept. 25), playing at Gardner-Webb. Kickoff in Boiling Springs, N.C., is set for 6 pm.