For the second week in a row, top junior prospect Amari Cooper kept the chain gang busy as Alabama's No. 1 receiver.
This week, the junior put the school's record-keeper to work, as well.
Cooper caught 13 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown to tie an Alabama record for receptions in a single game as the Crimson Tide handled Florida Atlantic, 41-0. Former Alabama star D.J. Hall caught 13 passes against Tennessee in 2007.
Cooper tied the record in barely more than three quarters of play, as Alabama populated the field with reserves in the fourth quarter until a lightning threat ended the game early with 7:53 remaining. Cooper also took the first play of the game on an end-around rush for 20 yards.
With that performance, the productivity on Cooper's two-game resume is nothing short of explosive: 25 catches for 319 yards. He also led the Crimson Tide in receiving in last week's 33-23 win over West Virginia, making 12 catches.
It's of little wonder Cooper had trouble keeping a positive attitude last season when nagging injuries limited him to 45 catches on the year. He's already more than halfway to that total in early September. Next week, Alabama hosts Southern Miss in what could be another prolific performance for Cooper against a Golden Eagles defense that gave up 49 points to Mississippi State in Week 1.
A week after the Southern Miss game, Florida All-SEC cornerback Vernon Hargreaves takes his turn on Cooper in what will likely be the toughest head-to-head challenge of the season for both.
Cooper would be eligible for the 2015 NFL Draft if he forgoes his remaining eligibility. He was offering no hints as to his intentions at SEC Media Days in July. Earlier this week, West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen, who had an up-close look at Cooper in Week 1, offered his take on Cooper's draft stock, and it came in the form of high praise.
*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread*.
