Alabama Rolls Out Offense and Rolls Over Temple

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Proven on defense, Alabama went on the offensive.

With a young line and an untested quarterback, the 20th-ranked Crimson Tide rolled up 481 yards--averaging more than seven yards a play--and routed Temple, 41-3, on Saturday.

“We have a lot more offense we didn’t use,” said Coach Gene Stallings, whose first Alabama team last year lost its first three games.

Quarterback Danny Woodson ran 85 yards for a touchdown on Alabama’s first possession and Chris Anderson scored on a school-record 96-yard run.

Siran Stacy, making a comeback after a knee injury in Alabama’s first game of 1990, scored on a nine-yard run and threw a 26-yard scoring pass to Prince Wimbley, who wrenched the ball out of defender Kyle Glasper’s hands.

Stacy ran for 95 yards in 18 carries.

“I feel like I started out a little timid,” he said. “I feel I still have some work to do to get back to full speed.”

The game marked the first meeting of a member of the new Big East Conference, Temple, against a Southeastern Conference team. Alabama had defeated the Owls in their two earlier meetings, in 1986 and 1988.

With Legion Field expanded since last season, the attendance was a stadium record 83,091.

Alabama’s veteran defense held the Owls to only eight first downs and intercepted three passes.

Woodson completed seven of 12 for 111 yards and a touchdown.