The "Greatest Opener of All Time," as it had been dubbed, went the way of the top ranked Crimson Tide, as they knocked off third-ranked Florida State 24-7 on Saturday night in Atlanta. To make matters worse for Florida State, Seminoles quarterback Deondre Francois left the game with an apparent leg injury near the end of the fourth quarter. He was on crutches leaving the game.
A defensively dominated game throughout, Alabama struck first with a 35-yard field goal in the first quarter. When Florida State scored a touchdown to take a 7-3 lead early in the second quarter, Alabama answered in a huge way when Jalen Hurts hit Calvin Ridley for a 53-yard touchdown for a 10-7 lead that the Tide would take into halftime.
Alabama began to take control in the third quarter, taking advantage of special teams mistakes from Florida State to take a 21-7 lead going into the fourth quarter. Alabama added another field goal in the fourth that would make it 24-7 and give the Crimson Tide their final margin of victory, but the big story of the frame was Florida State quarterback Deondre Francois leaving the game late in the 4th quarter with an apparent leg injury. After leaving the game without putting pressure on his left leg, he was later seen on crutches and would be a huge loss for Florida State if the injury turns out to be severe.
For Florida State, the competition does lighten some after opening the season against the top-ranked program in the nation. The Seminoles return to Tallahassee to prepare for a battle against Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday September 9th. Kickoff from Doak Cambell Stadium is set for 7 PM.