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Ingram, Alabama pound Arkansas State

Nov 2, 2008 - 12:17 AM TUSCALOOSA, Alabama (Ticker) -- Mark Ingram rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns as second-ranked Alabama cruised to a 35-0 victory over Arkansas State on Saturday.

Ingram needed just 11 carries to lead a Crimson Tide rushing attack that racked up 205 yards and four scores on the ground.

"He's a great runner and a really smart kid," Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson said of Ingram. "He understands the game really well. He doesn't let anything get to him. For the next three years he is going to be great."

Glen Coffee and Roy Upchurch also rushed for TDs for Alabama (9-0), which has won 10 straight games since losing four consecutive contests to close out the 2007 regular season.

Coffee opened the scoring with a 9-yard TD rush with 4:23 left in the first quarter. It would be the only offensive score for Alabama in the first half.

Safety Rashad Johnson returned an interception 32 yards for a touchdown midway through the second quarter to extend the Crimson Tide's advantage to 14-0.

"It was a good play call," Johnson said. "The coaches decided to bring pressure and keep the guy in the pocket because we knew he was a shorter guy and couldn't see over the linemen.

"I did a good job with my technique. I saw the ball and just put my hands up and got it. When I got it, I was determined to get in the end zone."

Alabama's rushing attack poured it on in the second half, as Upchurch scored on a 22-yard rush and Ingram had TD runs of 5 and 17 yards.

Wilson completed 15-of-28 passes for 153 yards and an interception and freshman Julio Jones made five catches for 62 yards for the Crimson Tide, who pulled out their first shutout since November 5, 2005 against Mississippi State.

"Offensively, we certainly moved the ball," Alabama coach Nick Saban said. "We probably didn't pass it as well as we'd like at times. We made some plays in the passing game, but we didn't have the consistency and didn't seem to be in sync like we'd like to be."

Alabama held Arkansas State (4-4) to just 158 yards from scrimmage.

"They are a fantastic football team," Arkansas State coach Steve Roberts said. "We knew that from film study of all their games this year. They played very well. I am proud of the effort from our football team."

The Red Wolves' lone bright spot offensively was Reggie Arnold, who rushed for 71 yards on 16 carries.