By Steve Mraz
FANSonly.com

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Shaun Alexader may have been passed over in the Heisman voting but he sure didn't let it get him down.

The Alabama running back rushed for 237 yards and scored two touchdowns in the Crimson Tide's 25-20 victory over Marshall in the Citrus Bowl.

Bama will play Florida State next in the Virtual Championship Series semi-final game at the Fiesta Bowl.

Alabama's defense kept the Thundering Herd's rushing attack in check all day. Bama only gave up 63 yards on the ground.

And it was the defense who started the scoring for the Tide. Marshall QB Chad Pennington was sacked in the endzone for a safety early in the first quarter.

With six minutes left in the first quarter, Alabama's offense got on the board with a 42-yard field goal. Then just four minutes later, the Tide got the ball back and capped its drive with Alexander finding the end zone from 17 yards out.

In the second quarter, Alabama scored another touchdown to make it 19-0. Then it was Marshall's turn to put up some points.

The Thundering Herd scored 13 unanswered points to make it a six point game heading into the final quarter.

But it was Alexander who made sure Marshall didn't complete its comeback. The Bama RB scored his second touchdown of the day to make it 25-13. The Tide was unsuccessful on a two-point conversion try.

Marshall scored another touchdown to make the score 25-20 but it was too little, too late.