Phil Coale / AP

Florida State receiver DeCody Fagg catches a fourth-quarter touchdown pass against Alabama on Saturday.

Wilson completed 28 of 53 passes for 240 yards with Hall catching seven for 83 yards. Alabama’s leading rusher, Terry Grant, was held to just 36 of the team’s 89 rushing yards.

“The only thing that we had was underneath,” said Wilson, who was sacked three times and had little time to throw deep.

Alabama had 78 total yards and three first downs in a scoreless first half while Florida State was only marginally better with five first downs and 89 total yards.

Saban said the Seminoles’ defense was one of the best he’s seen over the years.

“I’ve been part of some great defensive teams as a coach and I’ve played against quite a few and they’re up there with the best of them,” Saban said.

No players benefited more from Lee’s presence that Florida State’s two tallest receivers, 6-foot-6 Greg Carr and 6-3 Fagg, who caught nine passes for 202 yards between them. Carr had five catches for 107 yards and Fagg, who has been troubled with dropped passes for much of his career, had 95 yards on four catches.

It was Florida State’s first victory in four tries against Alabama in the first meeting between the schools since 1974 when Alabama won 8-7 by scoring a safety and field goal in the final 1:27.

The 85,412 fans at Saturday’s game was the most to see a game in Jacksonville, exceeding attendance at the 2004 Super Bowl game or any of the annual Georgia-Florida rivalry games.

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