Alabama is once again the kings of college football. And it wasn't even a contest.
The Crimson Tide breezed to their second straight BCS championship and third in four seasons with a convincing 42-14 rout of Notre Dame in a game played in Miami Gardens Monday night.
AJ McCarron and Eddie Lacy highlighted an Alabama offense that scored touchdowns on its first three drives and led 35-0 before the Irish reached the end zone.
McCarron completed 20 of his 28 passes for 264 yards and four touchdowns, two to former Miami Northwestern star Amari Cooper.
Lacy rushed for a 20-yard touchdown less than three minutes into the game and finished with 140 yards on 20 carries. Lacy also caught a scoring strike that put the Tide ahead 28-0 just before halftime.
Alabama finished with 529 total yards, including 265 on the ground. T.J. Yeldon padded the Tide's ground attack with 108 yards and one TD on 21 carries.
Notre Dame was shut out until Everett Golson rushed for a two-yard touchdown late in the third quarter.
Alabama finishes 13-1 after becoming the third team to win three national titles in four seasons since polls started being used to crown champions in 1936 and it's the fourth championship for Nick Saban, two behind all-time record-holder Paul ``Bear'' Bryant of Alabama.
In other state sports news...
- Alabama was voted No. 1 by the Associated Press for the ninth time, more than any other program in college football, after the rout of Notre Dame. Oregon, Ohio State and Notre Dame finished 2, 3 and 4 in the voting with Georgia and Texas A and M tied for fifth. Florida was ninth and Florida State tenth in the final poll.
- Florida Gators linebacker Jelani Jenkins has declared for the NFL Draft, but defensive end Dominique Easley says he's returning for his senior season. Jenkins becomes the fourth Gator junior to announce for the Draft. Defensive tackle Shariff Floyd, safety Matt Elam and tightend Jordan Reed are the others.
- The Orlando Magic have now lost nine straight. The Magic lost a 125-to-119 overtime heartbreaker to Portland. J.J. Redick poured in 29 points to lead the Magic. Jameer Nelson, who hit a three that sent the game into overtime, dished out 12 assists and broke Scott Skiles' team career assist record.
- Florida has moved up two spots from 13th to 11th in this week's AP men's college basketball poll. The Gators are 10-2 and open the SEC schedule Wednesday night against Georgia.
- Chris Perez scored a season-high 23 points and Adam Pegg matched his season-high with 22 as Stetson defeated Jacksonville 81-72 Monday night. Both schools are now 2-2 in Atlantic Sun Conference play.
