After managing just two first half field goals from Jamie Christensen, Alabama's offense woke up in the second half, scoring three offensive touchdowns and one on special teams en route to a 34-3 route over the MTSU Blue Raiders.

Brodie Croyle hooked up with Tyrone Prothro on touchdown passes of 26 and 72 yards and also hit running back Kenneth Darby on a 22-yard strike. Prothro added a 53-yard punt return late in the game to finish with 250 all-purpose yards in the game. Darby finished with 101 yards on the ground.

The Tide's defense was expected to be a force in 2005 after a stellar 2004 season. It limited the Blue Raider offense to three points and only 171 yards in the contest. MTSU managed a 39-yard field goal for its only score and struggled to move the ball against the stiff Tide defense. All-American linebacker candidate Demeco Ryans swarmed the Blue Raiders, finishing with three sacks. The Tide was playing without junior defensive tackle Jeremy Clark, who was suspended for four games for academic misconduct.