By John Zenor

Associated Press Writer

TUSCALOOSA (AP) — Blake Sims passed, ran and confidently staked his claim as the leader of No. 3 Alabama’s offense.

Sims threw for two touchdowns and rushed for a third in three quarters and emerged as the Crimson Tide’s undisputed starting quarterback — for now, at least — in a 52-12 victory over Southern Miss on Saturday night.

“I didn’t feel real comfortable with the way the game was going, and it just didn’t feel right to make a change,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “Do we want to continue to play both quarterbacks and try to develop both guys? Absolutely.

“Jake (Coker) needs to play and he needs to develop confidence. I think we’re going to have to make a decision on a week-to-week basis on what gives us the best opportunity to win. Right now, Blake probably is a little more confident. If that remains that way, he’s probably going to start the game. He’s started every game so far.”

Sims was 12-of-17 passing for 168 yards for the Crimson Tide (3-0) ahead of the team’s Southeastern Conference opener against Florida. Coker didn’t come in until late in the third quarter against the Golden Eagles (1-2), who have lost 25 of their last 27 games.

“Everybody knows their time to step up because you get that feeling,” Sims said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a freshman, sophomore, junior or senior, if you’ve got to step up, you step up at the time.”

Most of Sims’ completions went to the nation’s leading receiver, Amari Cooper. Cooper had eight catches for 135 yards and a touchdown to tie DJ Hall’s school record of five consecutive 100-yard games set in 2006.

Kenyan Drake scored three touchdowns and produced 59 yards on nine rushes.

Sims also ran five times for 46 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown. Coker did open by leading Alabama on a 99-yard scoring drive.

“Obviously, Blake is our starting quarterback right now,” Cooper said. “He’s playing more than Coker’s playing, and he’s playing well. Both of them are playing well.”

Nick Mullens completed 19 of 35 passes for 207 yards to lead Southern Miss.

Corey Acosta had field goals of 33, 43, 37 and 30 yards to account for all the points by Southern Miss.

Alabama outgained the Golden Eagles 547-263 in total yards, allowing just 56 rushing yards. The Tide ran for 333 yards, led by Derrick Henry’s 11 carries for 73 yards.