No. 2 Alabama route North Texas, 41-0

Richardson and Lacy each had a pair of long touchdown runs and career rushing highs of 160-plus yards to make a little backfield history, and No. 2 Alabama’s defense smothered the Mean Green in a 41-0 victory Saturday night. The Crimson Tide (3-0) had never had two backs run for even 150 yards in the same game. Richardson and Lacy covered the yardage in big chunks. “To break free in Bryant-Denny is always a good feeling,” Richardson said.

“That’s one of the best feelings as a running back to know you don’t have to worry about nobody touching you or hitting you,” Lacy said. “The offensive line did everything they were supposed to do, the wide receivers blocked downfield. Getting the touchdowns is one of the best feelings ever.”

Richardson scored three times, including a 58-yarder and a career-long 71-yarder, and had most of his 167 yards on the two long ones to help Alabama race into its showdown with No. 14 Arkansas. He had 24 yards at halftime against the Mean Green (0-3) and the nation’s 117th-rated defense.

Alabama’s defense recorded its first shutout since a 45-0 victory over Chattanooga on Nov. 21, 2009, thanks to a blocked field goal by Robert Lester and a goal line stand in the final minutes.

The Tide racked up 347 yards rushing and outgained North Texas 586-91.

First-year North Texas coach Dan McCarney, who spent three seasons at Florida vying for league titles against Alabama, thinks his new team faced another contender.

“We obviously know what a national championship team looks like by coaching on one at Florida and playing one tonight,” McCarney said. “I think they have the pieces in place to go and compete for a title this season. They’re just fast, relentless and physical playmakers. They suffocated our offensive line. Every time we looked to build some momentum, they continued to dominate our front.”

By John Zenor