Associated Press Photo
ARLINGTON, Texas (Sports Network) - A.J. McCarron threw both of his touchdown passes in the first quarter and No. 2 Alabama coasted to a 41-14 drubbing of No. 8 Michigan on Saturday night.
The reigning champion Crimson Tide put on a show in front of more than 90,00 at Cowboys Stadium, building a 31-0 lead in the first half on the way to the big win.
McCarron threw for 199 yards for Alabama (1-0) and T.J. Yeldon became the first true freshman to rush for more than 100 yards in Crimson Tide history, gaining 111 with a touchdown.
Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson was just 11-for-26 for 200 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He also scored on the ground, but C.J. Mosley returned one of his interceptions for a touchdown.
The Wolverines (0-1) played without starting tailback Fitzgerald Toussaint and defensive end Frank Clark, who served one-game suspensions for legal issues over the summer.
Vincent Smith led Michigan with 37 yards on 13 rushes.
The rout developed early.
Alabama took a 21-0 lead with touchdowns on three straight possessions in the first quarter, and it wasn't much of a game after that.
McCarron capped a 61-yard drive with a short pass to Michael Williams and it was under two minutes later when he connected on a 51-yarder with DeAndrew White.
The receiver got past Courtney Avery on the right side with a nifty stutter- step move near the line that sent the defensive back slipping to the turf.
Alabama had it going on both sides of the ball and got its third touchdown after a turnover when Dee Milliner intercepted Robinson and returned it 35 yards to help set up a 9-yard run by Eddie Lacy.
Jeremy Shelley kicked a 22-yard field goal in the second quarter and Mosley picked off Robinson deep in Michigan territory, taking it back 16 yards for a 31-0 lead.
Robinson and Jeremy Gallon connected for a 71-yard pass to set up Robinson's 6-yard touchdown scramble for Michigan's first points.
The Heisman hopeful hit Devin Garner for a 44-yard touchdown in the second half, but those were the only other points Michigan scored.
Cade Foster kicked a 51-yard field goal for Alabama and Yeldon had a 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to punctuate his record-setting game.