Alabama leads Florida 12-7 at the half of the SEC Championship in what was simultaneously one of the most and least eventful halves of football you’ll see this season.
The Gators and Tide have produced only one offensive touchdown and nine punts while combining to convert only two of 13 third down tries.
But that doesn’t mean the half lacked action.
Alabama opened the scoring by blocking Johnny Townsend‘s punt out of his own end zone, but Florida responded when Antonio Callaway returned J.K. Scott‘s boot 85 yards for a touchdown to give the Gators a 7-2 lead at the 11:53 mark of the second quarter.
The Tide immediately responded by consuming six minutes and eight seconds on a 14-play, 64-yard drive that stalled inside Florida’s red zone, forcing Adam Griffith to convert a 28-yard field goal.
After a three-and-out, Alabama produced the only great offensive play of the half, a 55-yard Jake Coker rainbow pulled down by Calvin Ridley in between a pair of Gator defenders. Derrick Henry rushed in from two yards out two plays later to put Alabama on top with 2:26 to go before the break.
In addition to his punt return touchdown, Callaway produced Florida’s only offensive highlight of the half in the form of a 46-yard reception. The Gators eventually moved to the Alabama 23-yard line, but Austin Hardin‘s 40-yard field goal try was blocked.
Coming off a career-high 46 carries one week ago, Henry compiled 18 first-half rushes for 56 yards and a touchdown. The Heisman candidate lost one fumble, but the Tide defense forced a punt on the ensuing possession.
Coker completed 8-of-12 throws for 101 yards.
Treon Harris completed 6-of-12 passes for 84 yards, while Florida rushers combined for zero yards on 14 credited carries.
Alabama leads in total yardage 175-84 and 9-3 in first downs.
Total yards in the second quarter: Alabama 137, Florida 1.
— Kevin Scarbinsky (@KevinScarbinsky) December 5, 2015
The Tide will receive to open the second half.