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Defense, special teams help Alabama rout FIU

Oct 28, 2006 - 11:59 PM TUSCALOOSA, Alabama (Ticker) -- Javier Arenas gave Alabama some breathing room against Florida International.

Arenas broke open a tight contest with a punt return for a touchdown as the Crimson Tide pulled away for a 38-3 non-conference victory over the Golden Panthers.

Alabama (6-3) held just a 10-3 lead before Arenas' 65-yard scamper with 9:24 to play in the third quarter.

Tim Castille added a one-yard TD run just over two minutes later, and the Crimson Tide put away the game on a 34-yard interception return for a score by Ramzee Robinson with 10:18 remaining. Matt Caddell capped the scoring with a six-yard TD catch from backup quarterback Jimmy Barnes.

John Parker Wilson completed 8-of-13 passes for 72 yards and a touchdown before suffering an ankle injury. Barnes went 6-of-11 for 45 yards for the Crimson Tide, who gained just 224 total yards but limited the Golden Panthers to 175.

Dustin Rivest's 37-yard field goal opened the scoring with 1:11 left in the first quarter, but it was all the production FIU (0-8) could muster.

Wilson gave Alabama the lead for good on a nine-yard TD toss to Le'Ron McClain with 10:11 left in the second quarter. The score was set up by a blocked punt by Forress Rayford.