Alabama Crimson Tide breeze past Colorado State Rams

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- It wasn't always pretty, but No. 1 Alabama cruised to a 41-23 win over Colorado State at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday night.

The Crimson Tide approved to 3-0 under the lights in front of a raucous crowd.

On its first possession of the second half, Alabama pounded Colorado State with its running game and a few quick passes. Running back Bo Scarbrough finished the 14-play, 88-yard drive with a 9-yard touchdown run to make it 31-10. The drive was set up by an interception from safety Ronnie Harrison.

Alabama's defense would strike again on Colorado State's next possession. Rams quarterback Nick Stevens sailed a pass that landed in the hands of safety Hootie Jones, who returned the ball deep into Colorado State territory. That led to a 5-yard touchdown run from Alabama running back Damien Harris to make it 38-10 midway through the third quarter.

Early in the fourth quarter, Alabama kicker Andy Pappanastos added a 43-yard field goal to give Alabama a 41-10 lead.

In the fourth quarter, Stevens capped another long Colorado State drive with a 5-yard touchdown run to make it 41-17 with 9:53 left in the contest.

Stevens found Warren Jackson again late in the fourth for a 3-yard touchdown pass to make it 41-23 with less than two minutes left. Colorado State's two-point try failed.

As he did last week, Jalen Hurts opened things with his legs. Hurts capped a six-play, 75-yard drive with a 27-yard rushing touchdown to make it 7-0 early in the first quarter.

After Alabama's defense forced a quick three-and-out, Hurts hit Calvin Ridley on a slant and Ridley did the rest, outrunning everyone for a 78-yard touchdown to make it 14-0 with 8:56 left in the first quarter.

The Crimson Tide's third drive stalled, but Pappanastos drilled a 46-yard field goal to make it 17-0.

As Alabama's offense went cold, Colorado State began finding success in the second quarter.

The Rams got on the board early in the second quarter after kicker Wyatt Bryan connected on a 27-yard field goal to make it 17-3.

Late in the second quarter, Colorado State cut it to seven after Stevens hit receiver Jackson in the corner of the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown to make it 17-10 with two minutes left in the half.

The score and long drive seemed to wake up Alabama's offense. Hurts found receiver Robert Foster on a quick pass, and Foster turned it into a 52-yard touchdown.

Alabama entered the half with a 24-10 lead.

NOTES: After missing the first two games, Alabama RB Josh Jacobs (hamstring) earned the start on Saturday. ... Alabama LBs Rashaan Evans (groin), Anfernee Jennings (ankle) and Dylan Moses were all held out of the game on Saturday. ... Alabama TE Miller Forristall left the game in the third quarter and did not return. ... Alabama travels to Nashville next Saturday to face Vanderbilt. ... Colorado State gets a trip to Hawaii next week.