Fans got a chance to see both in action in Saturday’s 41-0 win over Florida Atlantic University that was ultimately cut short after a weather delay in which both programs’ athletic directors decided to end the game with 7:53 still on the clock.
“It was good that we got to play both quarterbacks in the game today,” Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said. “Blake played well except for one play. Jake got some experience, and I think that experience should help his confidence and his ability to play with a little better rhythm. He did some very good things today as well.”
In the still-open quarterback competition, Saturday didn’t do much to answer the question except give both quarterbacks a nearly equal opportunity to perform.
“They are both good players,” Florida Atlantic coach Charlie Partridge said. “My first reaction to it is that one is a little bit more dangerous with his feet than the other. Sims made us pay with his feet early in the game.”
With Sims and Coker under center, Alabama’s offense has performed at record levels. New offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin has revitalized the Crimson Tide’s offense. On Saturday, the team threw for over 400 yards for only the third time in its history. Alabama’s 416 passing yards rank second in its history, behind only the 1969 Iron Bowl.
For two consecutive games, Alabama has reached over 600 yards of total offense – a mark reached only a few times in the Saban era at Alabama. Kiffin has been instrumental in helping the quarterbacks on the field, Saban said.
With the quarterback question still unanswered and several misfires on offense, it’s possible the Alabama offense hasn’t yet reached its potential.
Sims and Coker had two different approaches. Sims has legs – his years as a safety and running back attest to that. He can scramble. Coker can too, but he’s also got an arm.
Sims, in his second start this season, was a force to be reckoned with. He didn’t have the same rushing stats as his Atlanta start, but his legs got him out of trouble on several occasions including escaping two Owl defenders with open space.
“Confidence is coming quick,” Sims said. “The players that I have out there and with us on the staff, you have no choice but be confident because you know they’ve got your back 100 percent.”
In the first quarter alone, he put up 155 yards passing, including a 52-yard touchdown to Amari Cooper. Sims also ran in a 7-yard touchdown and tossed another to Kenyan Drake. He was 8-for-9.
He finished the game 11-for-13 with 214 yards passing and 14 net yards rushing.
Coker, the crowd favorite, debuted at Bryant-Denny to the fans’ delight.
“It’s fine. He has strength where my weakness is, and I got strength where his weakness can be,” Sims said. “We’re a team. Everybody wears the crimson jersey out there. We’re just happy to have Jacob Coker come over here and play with the Crimson Tide.”
In the second quarter, Coker led the Tide’s offense to a 31-0 lead. He was 9-for-16 with 120 yards passing, including a 3-yard touchdown pass to Jalston Fowler.
He finished the game 15-for-24 for 202 yard passing and 23 net yards rushing.
“They are both talented,” Partridge said. “Quite honestly, I’m sure Coach Saban was taking this opportunity, when they got up a couple of touchdowns ahead of us, to give Coker a chance to show what he could do. I’m not speaking for him, but now he has a chance to compare the two. They are both good players.”
