Tag: Halftime

Halftime report: Alabama vs. Texas A&M

Alabama finishes the first half of their Week 2 contest vs. Texas A&M with a strong showing by Mac Jones and a shaky start by the defense.

The Alabama crimson Tide lead the Texas A&M Aggies 35-14 heading into halftime during SEC’s second week of action.

In Alabama’s home opener, Mac Jones got his second start of the season and wasted no time trying to get ahead of the tough Aggie defense with a 78-yard touchdown pass to redshirt-freshman wide receiver John Metchie III.

Overall, Jones threw for 271 yards on 15 completions through 19 attempts and one interception in the first half. The sole interception set up a one-play series for Kellen Mond and Texas A&M that resulted in a quick 17-yard touchdown.

The pass catchers combined for 273 yards and two touchdowns in the half. With Metchie (118 yds), Smith (51 yds) and Waddle (55 yds) being the only true wide receivers to reel in receptions.

Najee Harris continues to be the offensive spark for Alabama, running for 36 yards on 10 carries for two touchdowns.

The defense has not yet found consistency in 2020. They allowed 148 passing yards, 71 rushing yards and two passing touchdowns. However, Daniel Wright did return an interception 48 yards for a touchdown late in the first half to extend the Alabama lead

While Mond was able to find success through the air with 11 completions on 22 passing attempts for 148 yards, two touchdown passes and a lone interception, the combined rushing attack by Isaiah Spiller, Ainias Smith and Mond, Himself, could become an issue for the Alabama defensive front in the second half. The three of them have combined for 16 carries for 71 yards.

Roll Tide Wire will keep you updated on all things Alabama football as the second half kicks off.

 

Florida vs South Carolina Halftime Update: Gators take 10-point lead into locker room

The Florida Gators lead the South Carolina Gamecocks after 30 minutes of play at The Swamp by a score of 24-14 thanks to some solid play.

The Florida Gators lead the South Carolina Gamecocks after 30 minutes of play at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., by a score of 24-14 thanks to some solid play by the home team led by the two Kyles.

Florida’s offense looked mostly sharp in the first half, with the exception of a couple of dropped passes and a costly fumble that led to South Carolina’s second touchdown. Additionally, the defense still might have something to be desired after getting bowled over on the Gamecocks’ opening drive, but appeared to get their footing later on in the half.

Nonetheless, the Gators took a 10-point lead into the locker room well on their way to victory if they can continue their trajectory. Here is a look at some highlights and notes from the opening half.

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First Half Highlights

  • Before kickoff, the Gators took a knee in the end zone in recognition of those killed by police in a display of solidarity with social justice movements;

  • Florida won the toss and elected to defer the opening kickoff, giving the Gamecocks the ball first to open the game;

  • South Carolina marched 75 yards down the field on 12 plays to open the game with a touchdown, with the Gators’ defense looking porous — Donovan Stiner missed one tackle and got bowled over on another during a drive that only had one third down;
  • Florida answered back with a 75-yard drive of their own on eight plays, taking only 4:19 off the clock in the process as Trask went 3-for-3 passing and Dameon Pierce carried the ball five times for 27 yards and a TD;

  • After forcing a three-and-out possession for South Carolina the second time around, Florida drove 69 yards on five plays finishing with the Kyle-to-Kyle connection for the TD and the lead;

  • Florida forced a punt on the Gamecocks’ next possession but coughted up a fumble on the first play afterwards, leading to South Carolina’s second touchdown and final score of the half;
  • True freshman Xavier Henderson makes 19-yard catch on a 54-yard drive that resulted in a field goal after a failed third-and-goal play by Kyle Trask;
  • Trent Whittemore also made a nice 26-yard reception on Florida’s second touchdown drive;

  • Florida’s defense toughened up on SC’s last drive of half which lasted only 0:19, including sack which led to Florida’s third touchdown on the day;
  • And that third touchdown landed in the hands of Kyle Pitts with a little over a minute to go.

First Half Notes

  • Both teams dropped some passes that should have been caught;
  • Florida’s offense featured a balanced attack, including a tidy little option run by Trask with 2 minutes left to extend the scoring drive;
  • Pitts has caught a touchdown in each of the last six quarters played.

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Florida vs Ole Miss Halftime Update: Gators take 28-14 lead into locker room at half

The first half was a thrilling one, even if it was a bit difficult at times to watch as a Gators fan as Ole Miss put up a fight.

The opening game of the Florida Gators’ 2020 football opener kicked off officially 12:04 p.m. EDT at after both teams and coaching staffs kneeled on the sidelines in a showing of solidarity with social justice efforts. As the broadcast began, there was an eerie silence behind the announcers on ESPN in lieu of the typical cacophony of cheers during a typical college football season of past years.

But as we all know, this is not a typical year, and the fact that the Southeastern Conference — among others — were able to navigate its way to opening day.

The first half was a thrilling one, even if it was a bit difficult at times to watch as a Gators fan. Clearly, Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin came out with a diverse game plan and his team executed well over the first 30 minutes.

First Half Notes

  • Ole Miss opens the game with a 9-yard pass from Matt Corral to Elijah Moore, going on to converts their first four first downs while pounding the ball on the ground though they ultimately gave up the ball on downs deep in UF territory;
  • Shawn Davis gets ejected for targeting with 11:30 in the first quarter on a call that could have gone both ways, but could have been a sign of rust after a COVID-tainted offseason;

  • Gators scored their first touchdown of the year with a 13-play, 77-yard drive that took nearly five minutes. On third and goal from the one, quarterback Kyle Trask faked the handoff and rolled out, finding an open Kyle Pitts for the first touchdown of the year;

  • Ole Miss answered back with a pair of long throws by Corral — first a 28-yard toss to Elijah Moore to get into Florida territory, then a heave to Dontario Drummond for 46-yard to tie up the score;
  • Two plays into their next possession, Emory Jones inexplicably came into the game after Trask had looked sharp and threw an interception to A.J. Finley at Ole Miss’ 45-yard-line; three plays later, Ole Miss gave the ball back on an interception by five-star freshman Gervon Dexter off Corral;

  • Florida’s third touchdown was scored by Kadarius Toney, who had a heck of a first half getting 97 yards on four touches — one carry for 50 yards and three receptions for 47 yards; expect to see more from the “Human Joystick” in the second half;

  • Speaking of a great first half, Trask looked as sharp as expected coming into the first game of his final collegiate season, completing 17-of-24 passes for 225 yards and four touchdowns, continuing the pass-heavy trend from last season that gave Trask the pedestal on which to rise.

  • Trevon Grimes finished the first half with a touchdown after catching two passes for 34 yards in a fine start to his senior season, which is packed with high expectations;

  • Pitts closed out the first half with a five-catch, 75-yard effort along with two touchdowns to his credit to help the Gators roll into the locker room at the half.

So yeah… that was quite a first half for Florida!

Stay tuned to Gators Wire for more in the second half and in the post-game.

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Alamo Bowl halftime recap

In a great position to win their third straight bowl, if UT can replicate their first half in the second half, they will pull out a victory.

After a solid first quarter for the Longhorns, the second quarter started out even better with a 71-yard punt return from D’Shawn Jamison, setting Texas up inside their own 10-yard line.

Two plays later, Collin Johnson broke wide open in the back of the end zone, giving the Longhorns their first touchdown of the night. It was Johnson’s first score since the Kansas State game.

Utah’s offense remained stalled to start out the second quarter, only gaining 25 yards on eight plays. Two sacks from Ta’Quon Graham and Joseph Ossai mixed with a false start from the offensive line forced the Utes back.

After only throwing for 33 yards in the first half, Ehlinger finally found his groove throwing the ball down the field. First, Johnson had a big play for 23 yards and then Devin Duvernay got a 40-yard reception down the sideline.

The Longhorn got cute on the next play, as Duvernay lost eight yards on a reverse. That play killed the Texas drive, making it 4th and 2 after Ehlinger managed nine yards on third down.

Tom Herman decided it was worth to go for it, but after good pressure from the Utes, Ehlinger threw an interception to Utah’s Javelin Guidry. Originally called a drop, the referees reviewed it, putting the Utes on the one-yard line.

Getting the first turnover of the game, Utah finally started to get their offense rolling to close the half. A big 26 yard run from running back Zach Moss got the Utes into Texas territory for the first time.

Just when it started to go well for them, an ineligible man downfield and an intentional grounding penalty killed the drive. They were forced to punt for the fifth time.

Texas is playing really well, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Shutting an explosive Utah offense was not something expected from the Longhorns, but is no doubt welcomed. Besides the turnover, everything has gone right for Sam Ehlinger and the offense.

In a great position to win their third straight bowl game, if Texas can replicate their first half in the second half, they will pull out a victory.

You can catch the second half of the Alamo Bowl on ESPN.

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